Which alloys? need to be 8x17, et35... what options? (pics)

[Import]

OK - picked up my MR2 today - and absolutely love it.

Knew it needed some new tyres so order them, Goodyear Eagle F1s, 215/40/17s fronts, and 235/40/17s rear.

Want a set of new wheels to put them on, as my current ones are 7J's wide, and I want 8J's at trear, and 7.5J's at front, or 8J's allround...

What are my options people? I like thick 5 spokes, deep-dishy type, with rivets on show...

Got my eyes on:

Kosei SO2's


Lenso KR5's


Lenso RS5's


Out of the above, the Kosei's win, but I've only found 7x17s at mo...

Not sure if they make them in our fitments?

[jonb-]

You could run a 7.5j allround to save money and run a 215 front and 235 rear.

I'm not 100%, but i think much above et35 on an 8j rim will foul the front.

[Import]

I was advised by Neil (aka jonno) to go for 8J rears you see...

Okies... so you suggest 7.5 x 17, et35, with 215/ 235s

As long as I dont have to send my Goodyear Eagle F1's back, I don't mind

[Import]

repost...

[Import]

jon-b, what make/ width/ offset/ tyres do you run on yours?

How much were they? and where from?

[Import]

Help me pleeeeeeeeeeease!!!

Need to order a set tomorrow!

[jonb-]

My alloys are kei rss in 18x7.5j et45 all round, cost just over a grand with nankang rubber all round in 215/35 r18. I'm planning on putting spacers on the rear once i change the tyres to 235/35 as they're too sunk in at the moment but the fronts are just about perfect imo.

[shafster]

those kosei's are very nice indeed, shame you cant get them with an 8j rear

here's a pic of my rays rims.



18x8 front with an offset of 33, 18x9 rear with an offset of 38

[Import]

I've opted just to get 8x17s allround, with ET35.

Then I can still fit my 215/235 tyres!



Now it's just finding someone who sells them, or what manufacturer!

[dan1]

your best bet is to buy 7.5" rims mate a 235 on these is fine. i spent ages trying to find wider rims but whith no luck. if you want wide rims you need to get them imported ie jap rims. otherwise you will be verry limited on style choices! hth

[jonno]

those kosei's are very nice indeed, shame you cant get them with an 8j rear

here's a pic of my rays rims.



18x8 front with an offset of 33, 18x9 rear with an offset of 38

What happened to those Rays rims you had a while back mate?

[jonno]

Just to clarify things...

If your running 17" tires the "perfect" setup is as follows...

Front : 7.5J, 215x40, et45
Rear : 8J, 235x40, et35

Running 7.5J all round is fine, as is 8J - people get all het up over it but it really doesent make much difference to the handling. The most important thing is the weight (www.wheelweights.net), and no the extra 1/2" doesent make THAT much difference, it depends on the wheel construction and materials more than the width.

Things to avoid are morons at wheel shops who tell you to run either 215x40's all round or 205x40 fronts and 215x40 rears. Also avoid nankang tires at all costs, stick with Goodyear F1's or Bridgestone S03's.

If your getting nowhere give me a call tommorow mate, I will be in the office all day, apart from 12-2 when i will be at the gym.

Neil.

[Import]

Cheers Neil, I know what you mean about the wheel shops.

Went into Wheelmania yesterday with my credit card at hand wanting to buy some there and then.

And he just wouldn't listen to what I wanted (8x17s), he ended up trying to sell me some 19" Wheelmania wheels, with 215/225 tyres plank.

Anyways - will definately be giving you a call tomorrow!


PS: Wheel weights, what kinda weights do I want to be looking for?

[jonno]

Anything more than 20 lbs per wheel is bad! Ideally you want to be aiming for ~ 15lbs, but the only way to get that is to find a set of OZ Superleggeras or bend over and pay for some Jap Forged wheels, Volk, Work etc. If you speak nicely to Shaf he might be able to fix you up with some Rays since im about 90% sure he had some knocking around during the summer - not sure if he has sold them though

Oh and avoid wheelmania like the plague! I gave in trying to talk to the guy the last time I went in there!!.

Wheel-base.co.uk have always been fine with me, as long as you spell things out for them. If your prepared to wait then Envyperformance.co.uk might be worth a chat to about getting some forged jap wheels - thats who imported my Weds Sport SA-90's but they werent cheap and I had to wait about 3 months!.

Neill

[shafster]

cheers neill

yeah i can source in some used rims in almost any size and offset. the volks te37's i had got sold very quickly

[jonno]

cheers neill

yeah i can source in some used rims in almost any size and offset. the volks te37's i had got sold very quickly

Yeah, they were the ones - perfect track rims

[Import]

Definately 10000% need to get some in the next week, and need rims only... as I've already bought my Goodyear Eagle F1 215s/235s.

Driving over to Wales on Saturday to take my GF's car to the bodyshop for arch replacement and full respray!

Will call Wheelbase, and SW-Tyres, and as many others as I can get hold of.

Shaf - have you got any "for now" wheels , don't have to be big and blingy, just some with legal tyre on to get me around, as currently I can't drive the damn thing.

[Import]

shaf - any chance of getting any in pretty soonish?

[Kiran]

Hi mate.
Did you buy this car in Solihull? I hope not, beacuse Im supposed to be picking the same car up this weekend from a guy called Chris.
Please let me know asap.
Cheers

[jimmy]

considered a set of Rotas? i have some here and will email you pics if you get in touch .