VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

I'm sorry to ask like this, truly I am, but I think what I want is pretty rare, and this is the quickest way to get results. With everyone seemingly headed towards super stretched 215 rubber-band tires, +15 offsets, 19" wheels, -3° camber, and rubbing more than a Catholic girl on Saturday night, I'm in a huge minority with my goals.

My '07 standard TL is my daily driver, and by that I truly mean that it has to be near factory height and comfort. However, the factory wheel/tire/offset leaves much to be desired, and I'm looking to make it slightly more aggressive, and much more muscular. And by "muscular" I mean that I'm needing a 245 width tire at minimum, and would prefer a 255, and a nearly square shoulder on it.

And I'm old, but not that old, this is my weekend toy...

The Rainmaker. by VisualEchos, on Flickr

My goals are:

- 245/40/18 tire (probably the Continental EC DWS)
- A classic style wheel, like a BBS LM. I am not opposed to using a knock-off wheel as long as it is of decent quality. I particularly like Varrstoen.
- Fill out the wheel wells a bit with a SLIGHTLY more aggressive offset.

No no's are:

- Camber changes
- Big drops
- Rolling fenders
- Wildly low offsets
- Impossibly wide wheels
- Super stretched tires

In short, I want the car to look normal, but better than normal, and more planted.

If you have read this far, thank you.

Varrstoen makes an ES1 in 18 x 9.5 +30. With a 245/40 tire, and a slight drop, which seems like a great place to start.

Tell me what's wrong with the above scenario?

Thanks in advance for ANY advice/help. I promise to make great pix for you guys when I'm done .

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Elise

Those wheels are a full 1.5" wider and the offset is 15mm more aggressive than stock wheels. How much you lower the car will determine if you need to roll fenders and also determine your final alignment specs. Depending on drop, you'll most likely need rear camber arms to keep the specs in factory range.

Personally, for what you want, I think those specs are too aggressive. I would suggest looking for a 18x8.5 or possibly a 18x9 wheel with an offset no lower than 35. It sounds like you want a "OEM+" look and trying to achieve that with four wheels that are nearly 10" wide doesn't compute with me.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Exige

Perfect, exactly what I want to hear.

I've been looking at 255 tires, and the spec is out of the OE 25.5" OD too far for me, so 245/40 it is.

Having said that, and with how you're talking, an 18 x 8.5 +40 should be just the ticket, don't you think?

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Exige?!!? Holy balls. My apologies!

18x8.5 +40 will be great! It'll give you a slightly more beefy look than your stock setup, but you won't come close to needing to worry about rolling fenders. You could do a +35 and be fine as well.

I had 245/40/18 on a set of 18x8.5 +45 A-Spec wheels for nearly 2 years with no issues. Even dropped with S-Tech springs I was fine. Only when I added spacers, I rubbed in the rear even with rolled fenders, and the rubbing was minimal. If/when you find a set of wheels with similar specs, a small spacer could help you out if you don't end up liking the fitment.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

After looking at the "Why you should run 255's on your stock..." thread, I think I'm sold on that size, but it's not so good for 18". I also found the "They said it couldn't be done..." thread with the 265/35/18 on factory dealer accessory wheels.

This has got me thinking that the wheels should be 18 x 9 +40 with the 265/35/18 tire. What do you think of that?

Also, do you know the real name of this wheel?

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n_54/-0183.jpg

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Yes, Exige

Cities in Dust. by VisualEchos, on Flickr

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Those are the A-Spec wheels They were a factory option when the car was new. In 2004, they were 18x8.5. From 2005-2008, they went to 18x8. All TL A-Spec wheels are +45.

yoks032rs

I don't have pic's of my new wheels but I'm now running 18X9.5 +40 245/40 4 Sq. Lowerd
2'' and had the back fender rolled in fear of rubbing. now I have a 5mm spacer for the back.
No rubbing what-so-ever. If you put a mild drop like my set up you'll never rub.

Nick216

I didnt read the comments, but if u want a stock looking setup but more agressive. Get aspec rims slap some beefy tires on it. And minor adjust with spacers. Aspec gunmetals are sexy.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

So, I now WANT these wheels. Am I going to pay an arm and a leg for them

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, but I think now I'm on the OEM A-Spec wheels if I can find some the right size.

Good advice, I'm on it, thank you!

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Thank you guys for all the help, especially you CLTotheTL32! I have created a WTB thread now

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...7#post15023687

bennettm89

I'm here to provide absolutely no constructive input whatsoever and am only here to say that the lotus is immaculate.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Haha, thanks man. You might enjoy these

https://www.flickr.com/photos/visual...7622467976256/

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

You've chosen well with the A-specs. I love mine, especially with some spacers. I have the 18x8 A-specs, with 15 and 20mm spacers front/rear and 245/40/18 tires. No rubbing at all, but I don have my rear fenders rolled.

To be honest, I just wanted to say something constructive before commenting on the Lotus. Tyler was right, holy balls. And to be honest, not just in regards to the car, but to the photography as well after scrolling through that flickr album. Just beautiful.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

I think though, I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this one. Apparently these are super expensive and hard to find? I really want the 8.5 width ones, as I plan to put 265/35 tires on them. I know it's not optimal, but LOVE the beefy look.

Thanks for the compliments, I love the car, and love photography. Hope to be putting the TL into some great pix soon, but I have to get the wheels/tires/drop right first.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Yea, those 8.5s are hard to find, thats for certain. But they do show up. If you are that deadset on them, I would keep an eye on craigslist and the blackmarket here, and you'll get them at some point. If you don't need that extra half inch, just grab some 8" A-specs and stick with the 245 40 tires - still somewhat beefy looking IMO, and easy to find tires too.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

As you can probably tell from my photography, I'm a bit particular, so I think I'll just wait. I don't mind paying good money for them.

Cheers!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I'm glad I could help

I found my 18x8.5 A-Specs on Craigslist for $500 nearly 5 years ago. The guy didn't know what he had

SENNAF1

I am running Yoshihara's D-12C's 18x9 with a 40 offset with 255/40/18, no problems. But my fenders are rolled.

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

How about I double your money and give you $100 for your trouble?

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Very very tempting. However, sadly all four wheels have minor bends, and I wouldn't want to pass that burden onto anyone else unless I have them fixed. Plus shipping costs would suck

VisualEchos

iTrader: (1)

Well, thank you anyway for all your help. I think next time I'm just going to skip the threads and ask you stuff via PM haha.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Sounds good!

I can't guarantee that I know everything though. I'm far from being the most knowledgeable here.