SleepR1

Yeah, I agree, but somehow, Volk SE37K's long spokes give SE37K the illusion of being a bigger wheel than 17-inch diameter? Or have I been staring at these two wheels (SE37K and RG-R) for too long?? LOL

Cheers!

enkei NT03-R with the dual valve stems....

Lets you get all the moisture out of the air int he tires by feeding in good air and evacuating the bad air out.

diablone

iTrader: (2)

Swayed again.

RX-8

iTrader: (6)

Mmm...maybe I can help. SSR's are functional in that they are extemely light and you primarly use them for the track. So if you get a second set of wheels (you lucky bastard ) they should be for looks. Which one do honestly thinks looks better? Which ever one you get don't consider the weight since you already have a very "lite" set of rims. By the way I voted for the Volks because they look better to me. Now if we could only convince Max Cooper to take a full body shot of his car with those sexy Volks on. I'm tired of stareing at Taz's red car (i have montego blue like Max).

SleepR1

Rx8. Thanks for the input. FWIW, my SSR Integrals are heavier than both poll choices. The Integrals are 19 lbs in 9 x 17, 45-mm offset. The BBS RG-Rs are 18.2 llbs for 8.5 x 17, 37-mm offset, and 17.8 lbs for 9.5 x 17, 38-mm offset. The Volk SE37K is the true lightweight @ an estimated 16 lbs (based on Max Cooper's SE37Ks weights of 15.6 and 16.6 lbs, respectively for 8.5 and 9.5 x 17, 40-mm offset). You know you're right. Max doesn't have full body shots of his MB beast with SE37Ks. What's up with that, Max?

SleepR1

I have not seen the NT03-R, only the NT03+M. I wondered what the dual valve stems were for? Yeah, I can evacuate out the air, and fill the tire with pure nitrogen, or perhaps, lighter than air--HELIUM LOL Seriously, I thought of this wheel (except have not seen the R version) in 9.5 x 17, 43-mm offset. I can't get over that inner spoke ring within the wheel's face. Also do not like what Enkei has done with the complicated pattern in the wheel hub where the lug holes are. This used to be plain and smooth, now they've gone with some pattern with extra surfaces to get dirty, and thus clean...

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Manny,
You're making this too difficult on yourself! Heres some advise from your friendly neighborhood design professional:

Since you're not going w/ 18" or outrageous widths for street or track, i would stay with the SSRs for your "asthetically pleasing" street wheel. They are still as nice as anything on an FD.

For track wheels, asthetics are less important. BUT, i've never understood how people think Volk wheels are sexy or beautiful. They're great wheels but most all are UGLY, and worse, finished in colors like white and bronze with hideous blue stickers. Jeez. The SE37K, per my earlier post are not really "beautiful"... they look very utilitarian, and in the case of Max's car, the combo of purposeful, matte black, and his wingless dark car add up to a really unique and cool look. You won't get that with a plain silver wheel on a red car. The only possible hope would be if they were diamond cut, or Millenium silver... and even then i don't think i'd be that great... the SSRs are better. "K"s make a nice track wheel, but for the money, you could get CCWs in the EXACT sizes and offsets you want (maybe in black)... or you could get a cheaper rim like the enkei RPF1 that is actually decent looking and available in theses sizes:

17x8.5 +40, 16 lbs.
17x9 +35, 15.9
17x9.5 +38, 16.5 lbs.

You could do all for for half the price of Volks, and i think you can worry LESS about fender lip rubbing with low offsets on the track than you can on the treet where you turn sharply into driveways and such. Heck, w/ the money you save you could have your SSRS refinished in a special finish and STILL save money

SO, if ya really want the BBS for looks, get 'em, but don't bother paying all that money for Volk track wheels.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Or, you could purchase my SSRs for your street wheels, and be done w/ it :-)

rceron

Oh, I see that you've given up on "street" tires for the track. Somehow I knew that once you went Hoosiers there was no turning back for you.

Tough decision but if there isn't a clear winner for you then I would wait a bit. Remember how long I waited to get my Fikses? IMO, the SE37s are just ugly and will become "dated". The RGRs look much better--although the 17" in the rear of the CYM looked weak.

I believe the 235 front and 265 rear combo may be too staggered even though you ran a similar combo (275s in the rear) at Road America with the SSRs.

Like someone mentioned above if they are for the track then aesthetics is a second / third priority. For the amount you are spending can't you get ideally sized CCW rims. Of course they aren't fantastic looking but I bet you will be able to sell them easier than the SE37s later on if necessary.

If I had to make a decision I'd go with the RGRs in 18s (probably easier sell than 17s for the general RX-7 public) for the street and convert the A2 integrals to track tires.

Ramon


PS What sizes and offset do you have on A2 Integrals? I may be interested (maybe)....

SleepR1

Thanks, Ramon. That's alot to consider. The SSRs are 9 x 17, 45-mm offset. I have FIVE, cuz I run a full size spare. Tires are 255/40-17 Pirelli P6000s new in April.

DamonB

Like the other guys have said, the BBS is just more classy and elegant. I don't find the Volks to be beautiful either, but the split spoke BBS will always look "right".

I will always pick "class" over "cool" or "fad".

SleepR1

DamonB, I looked @ Thebestmotoring's car closely. There's something very BMW about BBS wheels on the FD3S Rx7. Our cars almost require Japanese style wheels to look right...dunno. Maybe I need to see these wheels on my car before deciding?? I'm also swayed by the lightweight of SE37K, and the symmetrical fitment...

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

I'd rather have BMW-like than Civic-like. I think in most cases the Japanese are a little taste-challenged... prolly one of the best things about the RX is that it looks more like an english or italian car than a japanese one.... home of the veilside kit and <white> wheels. YUCK!

DamonB

That's no different than saying Volks look hondaish because you always see them on Hondas; it's just your perception. Perception can be reality though; you overcomplicate this whole thing.

Whichever wheel you like, put on the car. Like I said, be a man You really need other people to tell YOU what YOU like?

DamonB

No lie. I have not seen a bodykit yet that adds to the FD. Most I would ever do is go to the 99 nose and rear wing. Everything else destroys the car. But hey, everyone feels that if it isn't stock and you bolt it on the car the car is automatically better in every way, right?

I see some well executed prep and paint work on body kits, but in the end I feel they still subtract from the car. Look at this pic; that car looks HIDEOUS, but there was no doubt a lot of time and $$$ in it.

SleepR1

CCW wheels? Nice wheel arches. I like the Mazdaspeed GTC and hood. Both are needed for more cooling in my case (FMIC)...

I might take Ramon's advics and sit on this for awhile...

SleepR1

FWIW the Volks SE37Ks are 9% more than the BBS RG-Rs based on both quotes I received from Wheel Source of Dayton OH. Both wheels need to be special ordered from Japan...6 to 10 weeks delivery time...that sux...

rceron

Waiting is definitely smart since you essentially have the winter to ponder the issue further. Last year I believe Fiske had a winter sale. Thought you liked the Fikse Profils?

In any case, my advice is if you HAVE to make a decision now pic a wheel that you can sell later. I say this because I get the impression you are not positively overwhelmed by your choices--as this thread would never have come to being.

later,

Preparing for VIR this weekend. Maybe a moot point as Isabel is trying to hamper my traveling plans.

Ramon

SleepR1

Thanks, Ramon. Fikse Profils are available as 17s. As always Fikse is just out of my realistic budget, considering tires too in that final number for dollars spent. Good luck @ VIR. Perhaps I'll see you there next Spring on the North Course with my new setup LOL

gfelber

Manny, those look like BBS RXs. The RGR doesn't come in silver, does it? Heck, other than color, what's the difference anyway?

With regard to BBS wheels on the RX-7, Mazda used BBS on their highest performance cars, the Spirit R and SP1. If the factory thinks these wheels are superior...

Honestly, get the wheel that you like. I like them both, but prefer the exclusivity of the BBS. Volks look too Honda-esque for me. I'd get the anthracite RGR's and brush the lips (like I did with my old IFGs: http://www.mantissaracing.com/Mantis..._brakes_FR.jpg). Never mind the curb rash!

Gene
www.mantissaracing.com

SleepR1

Thebestmotoring says his wheels are indeed RG-R in DBK (Diamond Black) finish. They appear brighter in his pics than in the BBS websites. BBS does make the RG-R in bright silver, called DSK (Diamond Silver). I agree that the RG-R cross-spoke design looks like a BBS RX (non-forged) wheel. Personally I like the Volk SE37Ks, but only in silver (not black or bronze). The SE37K's longer thinner spokes, and the modest rim lip (and subsequently huge brake caliper clearances) are features I like, not to mention the symmetric fitment and 16-lb wheel weight for a 9 x 17. Truthfully, I've never been a big fan of deep dish rim lips like so many FD3S owners are on this board. The BBS RG-R has that in spades. I've never been crazy of two-tone finishes either. My old SSR Comps were that way...anthracite centers, with machined lips. I think I'm going to be a man, and go with what I like; you all are still welcome to chime in!

emericanchaos

i'm going with the BBS's. i think they look better and the volk's dont' have enough of a weight difference to overcome their looks. looks like some motegi's or something cheap in my opinion. BBS + FD = heaven imo

Thebestmotoring

Manny,

The BBS RG-R's are NOT two tone. Only RS-GT's are two tone. My RG-R's are nice DBK finish that I get compliment wherever I go. Yeah...it does look more german than JDM, but since FC BBS have been providing wheels to rx-7. In fact, these Rg-R are make in Japan.
But go with your gut feeling of what you like. My wife still dig my Mito Modulars. So do I, but too heavy. I might consider I-forge in the future...!

Ken

RX-8

iTrader: (6)

For some reason I always thought you had the SSR Comps not the heavier integrals. Must be another red fd. In that case get the Volks they're lighter than the BBS by almost 3lbs and use them as your track rims. The integrals are for looks

maxcooper

There was that picture of carcrazy's VR w/SE37As where my car is in the background with the black Volks. It was at the Mazda R&D center last year sometime.

You never see full pics of my car because I have a tri-level Supra battle wing, 123213mm exhaust tip, a giant "Powered by Deez Nuts!" sticker on the rear window, all the Mazda badges replaced with blue ovals, Calvin is pissing on "Importz", and bright yellow blobs painted on my doors (reminds me of a race car that way). I've also got some ***** hanging down from the trailer hitch (okay, I actually do have a receiver for a trailer hitch), and some bullet hole and Mugen decals. I just got some GT-R badges and Acura seat belt pads to install this weekend. Last year, I got some custom Japanese characters painted on the sides. I thought they meant "Road Snake" but later found out that "Little Worm" would be a more accurate translation. I know you guys wouldn't think those items are cool, so I don't take any pictures of the whole car. A sasquatch is more likely to show up in the close-up shots, too, and I am always on the lookout for those.

-Max