choosing wheels
 

not sure if I'm in the right section but move if I'm not.

I need help in choosing either sticking with the FD rims that I have or sell them and get some Watanabe rims. The reason I ask is because I don't want to go to all the trouble of going through spacers and/or roll fenders. The FD's are 16X8 and the Watanabe's I want I can custom on the site http://www.watanabewheel.com/contact.htm so I can make it 16X7. By doing this will I avoid the need for spacers?

TII have 16X7 with a 40 offset? So thats why I ask if the same wheel fitment from a TII will fit on a stock height GXL? I like the look of the FD but the Watanabe looks better and if I can run like a stock rim I could just run the same tire size of a TII 205/55VR16 right?
Any suggestions are appreciated.

Trouble?


Also, fc wheel fitment thread. Mod needs to move this there.


I'm keeping my mouth shut on this subject.

Go more aggressive in the rear at least. There's a lot of room back there with the stock wheel sizes. I saw a local guy's car with 20mm spacers in the rear on stock S5 TII wheels, looked pretty good and I don't think he had to roll the fenders.

If you end up going with a lower offset, you might as well go wider too.

16x7 not even worth it.. 16x8 16x9 stagger setup, +25 offset or lower = Good to go.

Fender pulling/rolling is not hard at all.

well I just want to know if a 16X7 would fit on a gxl because I dont know if a TII has a different setup but I'm still dead set on getting the Watanabe wheels

TII wheels will fit on a GXL, all FC wheels are interchangeable.

But I highly recommend you don't settle for 16x7 AND/OR high positive offset (higher than +30).

The reason being, having skinny wheels AND/OR a high offset does nothing for your cars look or performance.

Generally a 16x8 + 25~30 should be perfect. +30~+35 for the front if you really don't want to roll your fenders, but its really not that hard. Takes about 15 minutes.

Agreed skinny wheels aren't the current fashion looks-wise, but if the OP is staying NA, having smaller, lighter wheels will probably improve performance (in terms of not hurting acceleration and adding to unsprung weight) more than wider, heaver wheels and tires would improve cornering grip.

i stuck on some xxr 16x9 on my s4 base model all around and its lowed with some tiens with a lil bit of camber too. no rubbing. although my camber is off in the front so i get alil rubbing on the FL tire.. :blush:

16x7 is a waste of time. Even FD wheels are 16x8 and they fit perfectly fine w/ a 20-25mm spacer. I believe they are +50 so that would put you at about +25 if you were looking for 8" wheels w/o the need for a spacer.

I run FD wheels and I haven't touched my fenders or my camber (although the car is lowered) so there's no need to be afraid of real wheels.

ok then maybe I will keep my fd rims, so if I get 20-25mm spacers all around, what tire size should I run front and back? And with spacers I have to cut my studs off to fit them?

16x9. I got 17x9

I run 20mm in the front and 25mm rear w/the fD wheels. I'm running 225/50/16 front 245/45/16 rear.

sounds good to me

i ordered my watanabes directly from the company (like the link you posted). I love them on my 240z the only thing with them is that the paint on them is really weak. you really need to be careful on mounting them on your car.

Unfortunately i would suggest you look into it and call Kiyo, from watanabe, to verify if they can make it for you. Usually they have to special order it from japan and it takes a long time, not to mention the price on these wheels are up there. 2500 total for my set.

Did you ask if you needed to cut your studs off?

No, ofcourse not. The only reason you'd need to cut your studs down is if you have extended ones on there.

With stock studs, a 25mm spacer will bolt right on. Notice how i said "BOLT ON" Meaning you slip the spacer onto your hub, put the 5 supplied lock nuts on and torque, then you put your wheel on. Your wheel will use the studs ON THE SPACER, not your hub studs.

Hope that clarifies.

And my opinion is worth about as much as the next guys (it's an opinion, facts and opinion differ so take mine with a grain of salt), spacers on the fd wheels will be something you will be happy with. More money can be spent on other areas of your car.

Like shika said, watanabe's are money unless you buy em used and hunt down pairs at a time. You can get a full set for $800 in good width/offset if you know where to look and are patient. :D 16x9, 16x10. Doesn't that sound much more appealing than 16x7?

lol thanks NoPistons! that info helped me out alot, I'll keep the fd rims get some spacers and save money for some tires, thanks again for the help