|
2004 A-Spec Wheels, anyone have a really nice set?
I've been looking to pick a set of these up, but ALL of them seem to have curb rash, or have been refinished. Are there any nice ones left?
https://photos.smugmug.com/Automotiv...20Gunmetal.jpg |
I'm guessing that's a "no."
|
They are pretty hard to come by in general & even harder in good condition. Mine weren't damage but the finish was shot and ended up getting them powdercoated in hyper silver for $450.
|
Originally Posted by mtiaz
(Post 16208112)
They are pretty hard to come by in general & even harder in good condition. Mine weren't damage but the finish was shot and ended up getting them powdercoated in hyper silver for $450.
Post some pix of yours, if you don't mind. |
Yeah, I didn't mind the grey finish that 8.5's only came in, but it wasn't my favourite so when it came to refinishing I decided to go hyper silver since I really liked the look of it.
In the next week or two they'll be getting wrapped in Michelin PS4S, so here they are completely naked: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...d46a646a95.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...ade7aa2c56.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...c74ecf0e1b.jpg |
Damn man, those look fantastic. That's pretty much what I'm wanting to do with a set, maybe go a bit darker on the finish, but the same type of finish. I hope you're going with 255/35 tires!
|
Originally Posted by VisualEchos
(Post 16208176)
Damn man, those look fantastic. That's pretty much what I'm wanting to do with a set, maybe go a bit darker on the finish, but the same type of finish. I hope you're going with 255/35 tires!
Wouldn't that look weird? As in the tire/rim ratio look small? The previous size on the rim was 265/35 but I might go with 245/40 tires this time around. |
Originally Posted by mtiaz
(Post 16208187)
Thanks! Yeah I opted for one of the lighter shades of hyper silver that's similarly found on Audi wheels.
Wouldn't that look weird? As in the tire/rim ratio look small? The previous size on the rim was 265/35 but I might go with 245/40 tires this time around. Stock OD was around 25.7", and a little tall to my eye. The 265/35 bulges a bit, but is perfect @ 25.3" OD. The 255/35 is a bit short @ 25" even, but gives the car that BMW thin-tire look. It really depends on several factors, like how you want the tire to fit, how rough your roads are, the ride quality you prefer, the drop you have, etc. I like the 265/35 on a 9.5, it's what I have now, and fits flawlessly. Test by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr |
Originally Posted by VisualEchos
(Post 16208192)
Classy color on a classy car, well done sir.
Stock OD was around 25.7", and a little tall to my eye. The 265/35 bulges a bit, but is perfect @ 25.3" OD. The 255/35 is a bit short @ 25" even, but gives the car that BMW thin-tire look. It really depends on several factors, like how you want the tire to fit, how rough your roads are, the ride quality you prefer, the drop you have, etc. I like the 265/35 on a 9.5, it's what I have now, and fits flawlessly. Test by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr I might be dropping the car this summer but not by much if I end up doing so. My tire shop only has Michelin PSS for 255/35, which is an older tire design. I might ask if they can get PS4S in that size or possibly go for the Bridgestone RE71-R in that size. Or just stick to 245/40 lol... |
Thanks man.
The 255/35 is a short tire, for sure, but a lot of guys like that. I think, for me, the 25.3" is the minimum, and 25.6" would the maximum, but I'm a pretty damn specific person when it comes to wheel/tire/fitment/gap etc. Before you buy tires, please look at the new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, they are monumentally good for the money. Hard to be a Michelin PAnything, but for the money/grip/wear/etc, those new Firestones are taking the world by storm. |
Originally Posted by VisualEchos
(Post 16208199)
Thanks man.
The 255/35 is a short tire, for sure, but a lot of guys like that. I think, for me, the 25.3" is the minimum, and 25.6" would the maximum, but I'm a pretty damn specific person when it comes to wheel/tire/fitment/gap etc. Before you buy tires, please look at the new Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, they are monumentally good for the money. Hard to be a Michelin PAnything, but for the money/grip/wear/etc, those new Firestones are taking the world by storm. I think with some spacers and a slight drop would make it look perfect. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...7052ead39e.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...8379f5f498.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...a44b5f6fd7.jpg |
Damn, so classy, so beautiful.
And when the time comes for you to get rid of those wheels, PM me first, I'll take 'em off your hands. |
Hey VisualEchos.
Wish you the best of luck on finding a clean set of the 04 A-Specs. But I'm going to have to say you will not find a good set, considering the wheels are over 10 years old. Most will give the advice of finding any A-specs you can and refinish them yourself. I searched for months around my area for clean A-specs and no clean ones are to be found. Even ones in okay condition fetch for a high price tag to the point that I might as well buy aftermarket wheels. Finally found a set that were very beat up, but got them for a great price. Reconditioned them myself, slapped on some rubber on, and spent a lot less than I anticipated. What I'm trying to get here is that you don't want to wait for a good set, because it may not happen for awhile. Keep your options open, buy some other nice wheels that fit your style in the meantime |
Originally Posted by VisualEchos
(Post 16211281)
Damn, so classy, so beautiful.
And when the time comes for you to get rid of those wheels, PM me first, I'll take 'em off your hands. |
Originally Posted by theCoffeeFiend
(Post 16211332)
Hey VisualEchos.
Wish you the best of luck on finding a clean set of the 04 A-Specs. But I'm going to have to say you will not find a good set, considering the wheels are over 10 years old. Most will give the advice of finding any A-specs you can and refinish them yourself. I searched for months around my area for clean A-specs and no clean ones are to be found. Even ones in okay condition fetch for a high price tag to the point that I might as well buy aftermarket wheels. Finally found a set that were very beat up, but got them for a great price. Reconditioned them myself, slapped on some rubber on, and spent a lot less than I anticipated. What I'm trying to get here is that you don't want to wait for a good set, because it may not happen for awhile. Keep your options open, buy some other nice wheels that fit your style in the meantime I already have a nice set of daily wheels, I'm wanting the A-Spec's for my Winter set (we get very little snow here). Tail Happy. by Andrew Thompson, on Flickr |
Hope you can find a nice set! I have a set of 18x8 A-Spec’s, BNIB in hyper silver. Wanting the widest tire I can get, but not willing to drop down to a 35 series. I am lowered as well (on h&r sports/koni SP3’s-second to lowest perch in front, lowest in rear). These are the 5 perch koni’s. Wanted to maybe go 255/40. But don’t know if shop will mount, being they aren’t 8.5” wide. Also, I’ll have to look up the Firestone tires you recommended. I was thinkin the Continental Extreme Contact Sports, similar to Michelin PS4s, according to reviews. Always interested in reviews from others with experience! |
My shop mounted 255/40 on my stock 8". |
Originally Posted by Slpr04UA6
(Post 16211479)
Hope you can find a nice set! I have a set of 18x8 A-Spec’s, BNIB in hyper silver. Wanting the widest tire I can get, but not willing to drop down to a 35 series. I am lowered as well (on h&r sports/koni SP3’s-second to lowest perch in front, lowest in rear). These are the 5 perch koni’s. Wanted to maybe go 255/40. But don’t know if shop will mount, being they aren’t 8.5” wide. Also, I’ll have to look up the Firestone tires you recommended. I was thinkin the Continental Extreme Contact Sports, similar to Michelin PS4s, according to reviews. Always interested in reviews from others with experience! This wheel? https://photos.smugmug.com/Automotiv...m%20Carbon.jpg And 265 is used on 8" all the time, so anything smaller than that is perfectly fine. The 255/35 or 255/40 will be perfectly fine on the 8" A-Spec. |
^No, the Hyper silver, similar to Mtiaz’s new color, only factory. I havent looked up the OD of 255/40. I believe that size should work with my drop. maybe I need to find a new shop! Lol! They said they wouldn’t mount the 255/40 on my stock 17’s last time I got tires. Visual—have you heard anything good or bad regarding the New conti’s? |
Originally Posted by Slpr04UA6
(Post 16211598)
^No, the Hyper silver, similar to Mtiaz’s new color, only factory. I havent looked up the OD of 255/40. I believe that size should work with my drop. The wheels were made in Satin (looks like what most would call hyper silver), Sparkle Silver (looks like standard silver), and Chrome Look (just like it sounds). In addition, the 2004 8.5" wheel was made in only one color; Gunmetal. |
Ok, my bad “sparkle silver”, I thought it was hyper.... i want the Gunmetal, and 8.5”! But got these for a good price. |
Originally Posted by Slpr04UA6
(Post 16211601)
Ok, my bad “sparkle silver”, I thought it was hyper.... i want the Gunmetal, and 8.5”! But got these for a good price. That wheel looks like this... https://photos.smugmug.com/Automotiv...O/VEP_6351.png |
The interesting thing is that, in real life, under the right lighting, there is almost no difference at all between Sparkle and Satin. But change the light and they are vastly different. The Gunmetal is obviously different from the start, no mistaking it.
|
|
I literally stole those wheels, and regret selling them a bit, but they just weren't exactly what I wanted.
|
Lol! I agree, it isn’t the ideal color we all want, nor the coveted 8.5”! But it’ll work ok for me! Now just to pick a tire! :shrug: |
I wouldn't worry about that much, literally all of them will work on that wheel.
235/40 <--slightly skinny, but will work just fine, especially for Winter tires 245/40 <--better fit, most popular, and safest bet 255/40 <--a little tall, but fits great, and rides softest 255/35 <--a little short, but fits great, and rides more harshly (best Summer performance from this size. If BMW had made this car, this is the size tire they would have fitted to it). 265/35 <--a little wide, and may rub a bit in the front, depending on your drop/camber |
Yeah, think I’ll stick to 245/40. It’s my daily, and don’t want any issues down the road. Ride quality is also important. As well as height of tire. I just have a hard time choosing a brand of Summer tire. I only drive between 10-12k miles per year, but want to get at least two years outta a set! |
Dude, I'm telling you, if you're getting a pure Summer tire, the Firehawk Indy just can't be beat for the dollar.
If you're not wanting to go that aggressive, as that's a pretty aggressive tire, the new Conti Extreme Contact Sport is damn hard to beat. If you get the all-season Conti DWS 06 is very comfortable, offers great performance, and a good price. |
Possible solution
Hi Guys I have been a long time lurker on the forum but this is my first post so bare with me. If your interested in 18x8 A-Spec wheels I have a set in the original ebony finish. However, they are not mint but still in pretty good shape (light curb rash). But I do have a contact that works for a wheel resurfacing company and is bar none the best I’ve ever seen. We contracted him in almost weekly at the shop I used to work for. He is able to match the color no problem as I inquired about this before I decided to go a different route. Let me know as they are up for sale soon. Thanks, Chad |
Originally Posted by 91greensho
(Post 16211669)
Hi Guys I have been a long time lurker on the forum but this is my first post so bare with me. If your interested in 18x8 A-Spec wheels I have a set in the original ebony finish. However, they are not mint but still in pretty good shape (light curb rash). But I do have a contact that works for a wheel resurfacing company and is bar none the best I’ve ever seen. We contracted him in almost weekly at the shop I used to work for. He is able to match the color no problem as I inquired about this before I decided to go a different route. Let me know as they are up for sale soon. Thanks, Chad A few things. First, this post should be in the for sale forum, not in my thread. Second, there is no such thing as a TL factory wheel made in ebony. The finish name is Satin, but appears very "hyper silver", "euro chrome", etc. Third, unless your wheel refinisher ADDS aluminum to the wheel to fill in the gaps caused by the curb rash, they suck like everyone else. SUPER hard to find a good wheel refinisher these days, they pretty much all suck. Lastly, they cannot match the finish. The color on the Acura wheel is proprietary, made by Enkei, and not shared. No wheel refinisher in the world can match the paint. Sorry for the bad news bro. -Andrew |
Ok man sorry to impose. But yes all of the above procedures can be and have been done by him.
|
Ok man sorry to impose. But yes all of the above procedures can be and have been done by him. That is why I shared.
|
Thanks Andrew! Not looking for anything too aggressive as far as tires, Just a summer tire with Good wet & dry traction. I’ve been somewhat Happy with the Bridgestone Potenza’s RE760, but figured I’d try something else this time! I don’t want cheap tires, but not too expensive either. I don’t need all seasons here in Florida. :thumbsup: |
Yes, for sure, I'm not a fan of the all season tires either, but the DWS 06 is fantastic, and quieter than a true Summer tire. Lasts longer too.
|
Originally Posted by VisualEchos
(Post 16211618)
Dude, I'm telling you, if you're getting a pure Summer tire, the Firehawk Indy just can't be beat for the dollar.
If you're not wanting to go that aggressive, as that's a pretty aggressive tire, the new Conti Extreme Contact Sport is damn hard to beat. If you get the all-season Conti DWS 06 is very comfortable, offers great performance, and a good price. Perhaps you may want to consider Yokohama S-Drives. They were a phenomenal summer tire & very reasonably priced. There a little noisier than a standard A/S tire, but it’s nothing unbearable. Treadwear & grip was also very good. |
Originally Posted by mtiaz
(Post 16211816)
Tbh not a fan of the Conti Extreme Contacts. The reason being I’ve seen a decent amount of these tires that tend to “cup” because they aren’t being driven at high speeds. Many of the Audi’s with summer tire options have been fitted with these tires & it is the most common warranty issue with these tires usually. Perhaps you may want to consider Yokohama S-Drives. They were a phenomenal summer tire & very reasonably priced. There a little noisier than a standard A/S tire, but it’s nothing unbearable. Treadwear & grip was also very good. |
Damn! Mtiaz had to mess up my thoughts! Lol! Good to know, anyway! I don’t know why they would “cup” from not being driven at high speeds? I haven’t read that in reviews. I’ve been reading reviews on the Firestone, they seem good! I just can’t make up my mind, as most tires aren’t cheap, and I’m not trying to cheap out on the only thing holding you to the road! I really don’t want to have to deal with problems. I do drive spiritedly often. And just want a good all around Summer tire. :ugh: Firestone’s 500, are about ~$100 cheaper than Continental’s...not that, that is of big concern. |
Sorry Andrew! Didn’t mean to clutter up your thread. I just know you know your stuff considering tires! And rims for that matter! Thnks! PM me if you have any more advice! Much appreciated! |
Dude, no problem, any discussion to bump my thread is good (unless it's supposed to be a FS thread haha).
|
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:09 PM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands