I've done research reading threads, but still have many questions. I need help planning my whee/tire/suspension combo. I'll get all kinds of scatter-brained replies if I tell you guys everything up front, so let's take it one issue at a time.

First up, wheels. I knew I wanted a 5 spoke, gloss black wheel with a deep chrome lip. After looking at a bunch of threads, I fell in love with the Work Meisters...until I found out how much they cost. I haven't seen anyone with these on the forum, but I like them:

http://www.tswalloywheels.com/alloy_wheels_strip.php

Anyone else know of any clean looking wheels from reputable names? I'm partial to 5 spoke, gloss black, deep chrome lip.

 

How much are you looking to spend? Decent wheels are definitely not cheap. If you don't mind buying used, search the marketplace for wheels. You can get a set of great wheels for around 2k with tires, sometimes a little more. Also, the SSR professor SP1 is something you might like, not sure how much they run nowadays.

 

Few members will agree on what is reputable and what is not.

Set a budget.
Go shopping.
Buy what you like.

 

Best thing i can tell you while your at the point your at is try your best not to settle on something like wheels, it will only end up costing you more in the future, and spending $1200 on something you kinda want is way more of a waste of money than buying something you LOVE for $3500. Although expensive, it will be well worth it, i promise.

Also, remember that you can always get the wheels you love used for much cheaper, and as long as you keep them in good condition, the nicer wheels always hold great value.

You have much more wiggle room with things like suspension, where $200 springs will do the job just fine compared to $1300 coils is most cases.

 

Thanks for your help JPsZ, the SSR's look very similar to the Meisters, I might end up taking that route.

Thanks for the tip GeauxLadyZ, but I know I don't want to buy used wheels, and I don't want to spend more than $3k for wheels & tires. One dealer I talked to on the forum said the Meisters would be around $3k for just the rims.

Let's talk tires...I like the looks of the stretched tire, it's something I hadn't seen before I joined the forum and started looking around. Other than the obvious disadvantages of a bumpier ride due to less cushion from the sidewall AND greater chance of rim damage because of the exposed edges...are there any other reasons why someone might advise me not to go with stretched tires?

 

Less traction? On a serious note, if you like the look, do what you like. In the end its your car. (Do it right though ) Personally, the stretched looked looks good on low offset wheels with a nice drop, so I'd only stretch if my offset was +18 or lower. Just my opinion.

 

Not sure how the offset system works? Please explain? I want the deepest lip possible.

Good point about the drop...I don't plan on going that low. I feel that the car is pretty low to begin with and there aren't always pristine road conditions where I drive. I also don't want to ruin the lip kit I plan on doing down the road. When I swap the springs/shocks, it will only be to tighten up the fender gap.

That being said, can I go super wide without having to roll the fenders? I don't plan on having them overlap the rear tires, that would probably be a 2" drop? I don't plan on going much lower than 1".

 

The offset will ultimately determine how far your your wheel will sit as far as being flush with the fender. A higher offset, (ie. +35) will have a more tucked looked, like the OEM wheels, compared to that of a +22 which will give a more flush look. A 0(zero) offset will have your wheels sticking out farther then the fender. As far as lips go and depths of lips, every manufacturer is different. I'm sure someone else can give you a better detailed explanation. A common offset for our cars is +22. Common wheel widths aftermarket wise are 9.5in. for the front and 10.5 for the rears. If you decide to go with that setup, most likely with a 1in. drop and 275 rear tires you won't have to roll your rear fenders, but with 285's you may have to. I would just roll them incase. Its a cheap mod and it doesn't hurt.

 

Thanks man, you're very helpful. Why is +22 a common offset? Does it look exactly flush with the fender? I want to go slightly wider than exactly flush.

When you stretch a tire, it's because it's not big enough to fit properly...not big enough means less rubber i.e. smaller tire size...could I save some money on wider wheels with stretched tires?

 

http://www.ssr-wheels.com/wheels/sp1_17181920.asp

I am liking the idea of the SSR's instead of the Meisters...please tell me those prices are not for ONE wheel!?!?!

Why is 9.5 in the front and 10.5 in the back a common size that is purchased for our car? Why not 10 and 11?

 

10:0 and 11.0 is a tight or impossible fit. Depending on offset and camber. At this point you are introducing suspension problems and fender roll.

 

The stretched tire is for looks. It looks cool. Serves no function.

 

Check with a few wheel vendors on this site, I'm sure they can get you decent prices on these wheels in comparison to what you see on SSR's website. As Davidv said, 10's and 11's are huge. With a more conservative width, you'll have a lot more room to play with in regards to suspension, camber, height and stuff of that nature. Considering you'll want to have the least amount of camber possible to get the most out of your tires, 11's may require to run a lot of camber just to fit depending on offset. You'll still be able to stretch wheels on a 9.5/10.5 if u decide. Figure it this way, most extreme setups, require extreme settings.

 

10/11 combo is nothing with the proper offset, nor do you need to stretch tires to pull it off.

 

Thanks for your help guys. As you can see, I know what look I want, I'm just close to clueless when you start getting specific with numbers. My goal with this thread is to use everyone's help and advice to settle on the exact sizes I want so that I can start shopping the wheel vendors. I already knew I wanted 19's. Now, thanks to you guys, I've decided on 9.5 front / 10.5 rear.

Is offset my next step? I'm not doing a big brake kit so I'll lots of clearance for the deepest lip possible. I like deep chrome lips.

 

May want to talk to a vendor or the wheel manufacturer about that. Offsets may make the lip larger, it may not. It may just make the spokes more concave. I think it will depend on the wheel you buy.

 

That's what I was hoping...if I went 10/11 with the proper offset I could have massive lips! I just want the tire stretch because I think it looks cool.

 

19x10+0 (235) 19x11+0 (255) good z fitment, nothing to crazy, just roll fender, no pull needed

bullsh*tt
herd of drifting?, i drift and use stretch to my advantage

although if your speaking in striaght line or auto x ing. Yes , stretch is not for those

 

The one guy said +0 offset sticks out further than the fender...how much further? I know huge wheels will affect mpg, but how much?

I would only need to have rear fenders rolled, not front...right? What if I was at a stock ride height? Would the fender NOT overlap the tire, thus negating the need for rolled fenders?

 

Wow!! …So much information… So many opinions…. So much confusion… So little facts…

My favorite exchange on this thread:
That's how I see it, but someone disagrees.
“herd of drifting?” you say. Would that be a “herd” or a “horde” of drifters all in one place, and all drifting at the same time?

David is not responding, but I’m certain he is chuckling. I'll bet (like me), David wants to see that "herd" of drifters. That would be something.

And... Don't get all bent out of shape... I'm just kidding with you.

--Spike