For the wheel experts here:

I'm looking at some wheels right now, and I'm only going with 18's. The two choices I have in 18's are as follows:

1. 18x8.0 35 mm offset. I will be dropping my car with either the A-Spec or Tein so I'm pretty sure it will rub since 35mm is an aggressive fitment.

2. 18x9.0 45 mm offset. I believe this will fit, and will not rub if dropped (remember I'm only dropping it an inch). However each rim is .5 inch wider than the OEM A-Spec rim, so I'm not sure.

Can anyone offer me suggestions, or let me know their experiences with running either 9.0 wide rims or 35mm offset and a drop?

Thanks in advance.

 

My opinion... I would get the Tein...I have the Comptech now, am considering the Tein Basic setup, but should have originally gotten the Tein springs. Going for a 9" width seems like a bit of an overkill. I think the possibility of a rub is enough cause to avoid getting wheels that big. I would go 8.5 if I were you. Also, I would go 19 as I put 18s on my car for fun (my buddy has an extra set of Volk III at home) and they looked tiny even though I had a drop.

The wheels I got are the Volk LE37t in 19x8.5 with a 42mm offset. I am dropped and don't anticipate rubbing issues ever.

 

it depends on the wheel sometimes too... even if the fitment should work according to numbers, they don't because of the design of the wheel... take Axis Hiro's for example... 19x8.5 45mm SHOULD work on the 6MT, but as a member found out on here, it didn't clear the caliper... he ended up getting 35mm I believe... but talking to him, i believe we assessed that 38mm or 40mm would work...


I agree with Vtec... once you get 18s.. you're gonna wish you got 19s... 18s look small on this car

 

OZ makes a few in 18x8x45mm and 18x8x48mm. 45mm should clear the brembo brakes, 48mm might not clear Brembos. OZ also super light.
you can check styles and sizes at www.bigwheels.net

 

To answer all the suggestions.

The wheels I'm looking at is the Falken Koblenz. These are the only two sizes in 18's that are remotely close to TL specs. I would prefer a 8.5 width, but it doesnt offer it (I know, I should pick some other wheel, but I really like the look).

About the 19's. I'm really debating them. I want them, but I live in pothole ridden NY. I don't want to be parting with more money to fix cracks every week. I still want them, don't get me wrong, just not sure if I'm up for the challenge in careful driving.

The OZ's. I did look at them, but I don't like multi-spoke or mesh wheels. I think a strong 5 spoke would look great (IMO). cvajs, I still want to see your pics once you get your OZ's on the TL. Good luck w/ them.

So to ask the same question again, will 18x9.0 with 45mm offset work? Is the consensus "probably not, but try it?" Thanks again guys for the quick replies.

 

OZ wheels are far from light, EXCEPT for the Superleggera, shown below.

OZ Antares Cast 18x8 25.0
OZ Competition Cast 17x8.5 30.0
OZ Crono EVO Cast 18x8 19.0
OZ F1 Cup Cast 17x7 25.0
OZ F1 Cup Cast 18x8 25.3
OZ F1 Plus Cast 17x7.5 26.0
OZ Mito Modular Cast 17x7 27.0
OZ Prodrive P1 Cast 17x7 20.4
OZ Racing F1 Cast 15x7 19.8
OZ Salina Cast 18x8 28.0
OZ Superleggera Cast 15x7 11.0
OZ Superleggera Cast 17x7 15.2
OZ Superleggera Cast 17x8 15.9
OZ Superleggera Cast 18x8 17.6
OZ Superleggera Forged 19x8 21.5
OZ Superturismo Cast 16x7 17.6
OZ Superturismo Cast 17x8 23.3
OZ Superturismo Cast 18x8 26.0
OZ Superturismo Evolution Cast 17x7 18.0
OZ Vela Cast/Spun 18x8 24.5
OZ Vela Cast/Spun 18x9 25.3
OZ Volcano Cast 16x7 23.0
OZ Volcano Cast 18x8 26.3

 

measure your current caliper clearance using the "back space" method in reverse (measure from outside lip) to the caliper. then, ask the rim manufacturer to do the same, except they will measure to the back of the spoke at approx 1-2" above the lip of the rim. with these #'s, and the rims width and offset of your choice you can figure if it will clear the calipers.

as for rubbing and stuff, i , i guess it depends on what tires you are going with.

i wanted 17" OZ's with because it would yield a smoother ride, but i had to get 18's.

 

offsets will also vary weight. what other rims are this light and strong like OZ?

 

According to Toyo's offset calculator the outside of the wheel will be 13mm or just over 1/2" closer to the fender when compared to the stock 17's. If I had to guess, I'd say you'd be okay and wouldn't rub. Your best bet is to wait until you lower the car and do a test fitting with the wheels before you buy them.

 

SSRs are light, forged and are reported to be very strong.

If your budget allows, I would go with a forged, 2 or 3-piece wheel. I have Racing Hart C2 3-piece wheels and they are very strong....albeit very expensive. Wheels/tires in 18s ran me $3500.

 

Automata:
Thanks for the website. It seems very useful. I guess I will be lowering it first and then hope I can get a test fit. Thanks for the suggestion...

Nsxnext:
Looked at SSR. Don't like the designs. The Racingharts are great rims, I like the C5, and the C4. I don't normally like mesh rims, but the C4 is amazing looking.

 

20" for just $279, TSW rim at bigwheels.net, i'm not sure if their website is in error

 

I thought more offset pushed the wheel outward?

 

no, offset is mouting face from centerline. if the face is further out from center, this pushes the whole rim further inward.

if you're looking at the rear of the car, imagine the rims with no tires on the drivers side, positive offset has the mounting hub face to the left of centerline, the more to the left, the more inward the rim width will sit.

cheers

 

My friend has a shop w/ multi piece C4 wheels on display...I threw them on my car, and they looked damn good....just for a price point, he sells those with tires mounted and balanced for $3400. I have a pic w/ my car, but it is from my V710, so the quality isn't such that it is worth trying to figure out how to post it.

BTW, if you do get the forged/multi piece wheel, then the pothole concern w/ 19s is much less of an issue. The wheels I got are forged, and I did that mainly because I do drive hard and need a wheel that can stand up to my driving.

 

Not sure I understood. Do you have 19" C4's on your car now? If so, whenever you get a chance post pics please.

If you have some other set of 19's...what type? Thanks for all the responses everyone.

 

Sorry...I tried a set on for fun while at my friend's racing shop. I have a really, really bad pic taken by my V710 that I can send to you if you want (PM me unless someone wants to host). Thought the quality absolutely sucks, it might give you a rough idea of the look.

I have Volk LE37T wheels that are sitting in my friends shop while I wait for Falken Azenis ST115s to arrive (the size I need is on national backorder). Those wheels are 19 x 8.5

 

I figured out my problem ..... the mounting hub face doesn't move ... the centerline does! In my head I was moving the hub face instead of the centerline.

 

well, if that's how you see it, but, centerline is always in the center of rim width. from there you measure out to hub face.

cheers

 

Can someone help me with this: Does the new 19" 5Zigen Hyper? What does the offset of the rims must have in order to have space for brembo brakes??

 

Can someone help me with this: Does the new 19" 5Zigen Hyper? What does the offset of the rims must have in order to have space for12.2" brembo brakes??