aka_jt

I know, there's LOTS of info here on wheels/tires for the FD. I have a stock '93 VR R1 with 43k on the odo. I don't track the car, nor do I drive it in the winter, and will be keeping it pretty much stock (DP and catback are in the near future, alum. rad and AST already installed). I just want to enjoy this car on the street for a long time. I'm looking for advice on really good looking wheel/tire combo's that are tasteful without being too harsh. I'm really liking the idea of black/silver combo's 5-spoke type design, as I may also tint the windows black. Thoughts? Any selling that I haven't found here yet? Expensive vs. inexpensive wheels? Seems there's a huge disparity between wheel prices.

Elombard

I have been looking at ideas for wheels in the pictures "forum' at the top of the gen 3 specific page on the site.

My preferences run to the expensive :-)!!

For instance the FIKSE FM5s that are on a few cars look amazing.
For pure looks the ROTA made knockoffs of one of the WORK wheels, 5 spoke with the dish in dark grey look good.
ALso the non stagered BBS or "mesh" look with a lip that are on a few lowered cars (17x9 all around??) look really nice in silver (not so much on the gold for me).

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

What's your budget for wheels & tires?

aka_jt

Dunno, let's say $1000-$1500. Can I get a decent setup for that?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

That's going to be cutting it close unless you look at getting a set of used rims. Decent tires alone are going to be $600-700 of that.

A good setup for a new wheel:

http://www.racinglab.com/5zigen-zr52...-gunmetal.html

They have good offsets for a 17x8F and 17x9R setup.

A good place to look at some used rims would be: http://www.rbwheels.com/

Elombard

Yes I like that wheel on the FD. Great price. That Japanese sight is unreal, I wonder where all those wheels come from.

I know this posted a million times...but to run 17x9s on the front what is the right offset?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I run a +43:



Depending on how aggressive you want to be and how low your car is will dictate offsets.

buish

iTrader: (12)

did you need to roll your front fenders to fit that?

Elombard

Looks great,

Another question I should just search can you run 17x11 on the rear with the right OS/BS?

And if you run 17x9 on the rear can you run the same OS or does it look better with like a +15?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Yes. They are rolled flat currently but where not at the time of that photo.

I don't think you'll get much more than a 17x10 out back without some aftermarket suspension changes (or using a higher offset with fender flares).

A +15 on the stock fenders is a little extreme. If you like the gangster look, that will push the wheel outside the fender if that's what you are after.

aka_jt

Definitely would like to stay with 17's, with black centers. I like the look of some lip, but not too much. And I don't want to roll the fenders. I just want them to fit right without rubbing or modifications. The used site has some really nice stuff. Brings up a really interesting age-old question: buy high quality used stuff, or cheap new stuff?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Check out this wheel:
http://www.racinglab.com/5zigen-fn01...-polished.html

They have 17x9F and 17x10R fitment that works well on the FD (or 17x8F and 17x9R). You can also do 17x9 all around.

IMO, when going with aftermarket wheels just bite the bullet and roll the fenders. If you don't, you'll be extremely limited on your wheel selection. Stock wheels are 16x8 with +50. You aren't going to find too many wheels with a +50 offset.

You need to find the right wheels for you, whether they are new or used.

aka_jt

I LOVE those wheels! And they're reasonably priced! Are 5Zigen considered good quality? Pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Nice, 5 spoke with black inside with a polished rim. Those would look so sweet on my VR FD with smoked windows. Whaddya think?

aka_jt

Which ones do you like better:

https://www.rx7club.com/wheels-tires-106/staggered-17-works-wheels-black-polished-lip-849506/
-or-
http://www.racinglab.com/5zigen-fn01...-polished.html

Miata_mx5

Work > 5Zigen.

No question about it.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

The Work wheels are nice (granted, those have curb rash already so they are priced too high even with tires). The issue I've had with Work wheels in the past is that they tend to be on the heavy side. I had some Equips:

https://www.rx7club.com/wheels-tires-106/fs-work-equip-17x9-17x10-837842/

and they were about 4lbs heavier per wheel than my 5Zigen's. Now, they also are/were probably stronger but that wasn't necessarily a requirement of mine for a street wheel.

The question for you is do you like the multi-spoke design? I love multi-spoke, but they are a pain in the **** to clean. Granted, going black you won't see the brake dust and dirt too well but they are still a pain to clean when it's time. The other thing is that multi-spoke wheels tend to make the wheel look smaller than it really is...

Many members are running 5Zigen wheels on the forum as they are very affordable and provide good offsets for the FD. The other thing to think about is replacement wheels. While you hope never to damage one, being able to get a replacement is also a consideration.

aka_jt

Yeah, I guess I like the old school (i'm 47) look of the 5 spoke design. Looks like a hot-rod should! I'm old school, but I love the new technology, so to speak. Know of any pics of a VR FD with the 5zigen's?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I don't know of a VR FD off hand, but here's a yellow one:

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=364

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

BTW, not the same rims, but it will give you an idea of "the look" you are going for:

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...ostcount=14559

Elombard

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-vehicles-107/fs-1993-r1-nj-51k-miles-839941/

This one is perfect!

Unfortunately those rims would be over $3K

aka_jt

I just love how the black rims make the rest of the black on the car "pop".

duval7

iTrader: (1)

I am not a big fan of black wheels or black with a silver rim, they just look cheap. IMO the 5zigen are the best looking cheap rim you can get. Another cheap option is a set of oem 17" RZs of ebay for around 1700 and you know they will fit well. You should also check out the Advan TC2 and RS wheels they look great on FDs but they are expensive. If you want to go the other route and pay 3 to 5 grand for a set of wheels that look like they came from Wal-Mart buy a set of Fikse.

rashid

iTrader: (1)

Can anyone tell me if a 17x10 with a +22 off set will fit in the rear ..
Thanx

jvladamir

LMAO, i'm glad i am not the only one that notices !

Elombard

OK guys why do you say that about the FIKSEs? I think they look great.

seriously what am I missing. Is is that they dont have that "jspec" look?