neuronbob

I've had my 3G TL for over two years and have been drooling at everyone else's 18's and 19's. The recent GB on those Ronjon Devotion 1pfs got me off the fence. I am going to buy 18" wheels. I plan on either the Inspyres (non-chrome) or the Devotions, but I have a couple of practical questions first.

a) If I buy now, I'd probably be purchasing Kumho Ecsta ASX tires at the same time in 245/40/18 form. Is this a non-starter in the snow given the huge contact patch area, or will I survive? I don't want to change tires/wheels for the winter, but could simply keep my stock 17's and put snow tires on them...

b) How well do the RonJons hold up in winter weather? Or does everyone put them away for the winter?

c) How fragile is the sidewall of the Kumhos? With the Falkens I have now, it seems that I get a side bubble or a tear in the surface of the tire with even minor curbing (it's unavoidable this time of year!)

TIA

vp911

1. Don't really know, but I still say put on the snow tires
2. I had the inspyre wheels and they were good; however, I bent one of the wheels from a huge pothole. But - any wheel would have bent in that situation.
3.
4. Those devotions are amazing

Scribesoft

I'm still on the stockers, but my suggestion would be to keep the Inspyres as summer wheels and put some snows on the stockers.

It'll be a 10 minute switch over twice a year with the best performance in both summer and winter. Plus, the road salt (and the rest of the winter damage) won't eat away at the "better" rims.... especially if you want to keep it for a lot of years.

rondog

iTrader: (1)

a) I haven't had good experiences with Kuhmos in the past, but they were the cheaper back then, Falken 451 are good looking and durable. 245/40/18 are good for the Inspyre in 8.5" width, but the Devotion comes in at 8" wide (for weight savings), so a 235/40/18 would be sufficient.

b) any painted surface with clearcoat will suffer in the salt and snow, so I would suggest putting the stockers on for the winter for better traction, and switching over to the Inspyres when the snow stops.

c) I experienced the opposite, but with toyo proxes, I never got a bubble.

nfnsquared

Curious.... How is curbing unavoidable this time of year? This southern boy just don't get it.....

Lore

I think he's talking about the bubbles... which are usually caused by potholes. Potholes are everywhere during the winter! (all that water)

rondog

iTrader: (1)

Sometimes fresh snow hides the curb, and other things like debri and potholes, so you would have a harder time availding them.

neuronbob

Ron hit the nail on the head. By "curbing", I mean exactly that--sliding into the curb, or hitting a curb hidden by snow--which I've already done twice in the last week, leading to tire and wheel damage. I think I definitely will be switching to snows on the stockers once I pick up the 18's...

Thanks for the replies so far, even about tires--I am by no means dead-set on the Kumhos, though I'd like something quieter than the Falkens I have now.

Ron, you've got my business either way, whether I go with Inspyres or Devos. Will make a final decision shortly. Thank you for the width information on the tires....the Devos' slightly narrower width will save me some $$$ on the tires (245 is often more expensive than 235--$126 vs $113 in the case of the Kumho ASX), which would help a little with the much greater expense of the Devos.

trancemission

bob I had kuhmos on my CL, they were okay. I managed to get a amount of milage out of them, I cant remember how much exaclty. But towards the end I started to get impact bubbles on the side wall. I ended up changing all four.

Lore

Okay, I guess I have no idea what I'm talking about. What does someone living in California know about snow, anyway?

neuronbob

Not enough, apparently. Don't you drive up to the Sierras for skiing like many from the Bay area?

chill_dog

Wow, you're getting wheels! I think you made a good choice in going with RJ's...great quality.

1) I would recommend Toyo Proxes 4, 245/40/18 or 235/40/18, depending on wheel width.

2) I see you're in Cleveland (I have relatives in Cincy...love that OH weather )...I'd swap to the stock wheels for winter, more to protect your 18's than for drivability purposes. Stock plus a nice set of snow tires should get you through ok.

3) Not that you asked, but you should bet the Devotions

4) Good luck with the decision, you'll end up with a good wheel, either way.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Neuron,

I had the Kumho's first on my A-spec 18's. I frequently hit them into curbs, and resulted in many dinged rims. Point being, I never really noticed a bubble where I ran 'em into the curb.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

BTW.. the 18's will really augment your suspension ... it's a great combination, tightens the ride nicely.

neuronbob

OK, I'm doubly convinced, I'm keeping my stockers for the winter. It's just such a shame I live someplace where I have to hide my good rims for 1/2 the year.

Peter, thanks for the comments on the Kumho's. I also think that since the A-Spec suspension was designed for 18" wheels, the handling should optimize whether I go with the Inspyres (stock A-Spec replacement size) or the Devotions (minimally narrower).

chill_dog, the winter weather in Cleveland is MUCH worse than anything they get in Cincy. Can you say "lake effect snow"? &*^#*&* snow....if it weren't for my wife being from here, I'd be gone. I appreciate the vote for the Devos, they are so droolworthy... And a lot of people around here swear by the Toyo Proxes, so even they're worth a look.

flvol77

I will never forget visiting my brother in Cleveland....It was Nov and they had 60-80 inches of snow in a week, my poor civic was messed up. I think that was about 10 years ago, and they live the snow belt (russell, ohio) I was going to move up to cleveland, but after that snow storm I was like forget that crap. I heard you guys got blasted this last weekend, my bro called and said something like two feet of snow? With that being said I would keep your stock 17's for winter tires with out any doubt.

chill_dog

True...and they say a blizzard is heading across the midwest over the next couple of days...you should tell your wife you'll fly her up whenever she wants to visit and move south.

By the way, the Devo's are the same width as the newer ASPEC wheels (05+, X8)...only the 04's were X8.5 and those were replaced due to issues with that size. I do think the issues were more tire-related (using 235's on X8.5), but you never know. I have X8.5 and the ASPEC suspension...no problems of any kind.

TampaMike

neuronbob,

I told you that you must have been draggin' yer ass. I wasn't referring to just the rear brake wear.

Be sure to update us with any characteristic changes in driving the TL with the new spinners....

Enjoy.

neuronbob

Thanks for the comments, guys. I called Ron this morning to pre-order the Devotions.

Regarding the transaction: I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Ron. With some people, you can tell how well they know their business just by listening to them talk. Ron REALLY knows his business and is very enthusiastic about both it and the TL scene. This makes me feel better about the whole transaction...

Now I just have to choose tires.

chill_dog

Congrats Bob, and great choice!!

Also, I know what you mean about talking with people, and I agree 100% with you about Ron. I think he truly cares, both about his products and his customers, and it shows.

:coughtoyoproxes4cough:

rondog

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys, you figured me out, lol.


Pleasure talking with you,

Here are the wheels that Bob ordered, they were the initial set intended for a show car, but never made the scheduale. So he will be getting his set this week. the rest of the wheels will still be on schedule for mid Dec. These wheels actually weighed in at 17.5 lbs, while the 50mm offset for the CL and TSX weigh in at 16.5 lbs, pretty damn good for 18 x 8 wheels.
Can't wait...

vp911

I agree - when I had bought a set of wheels from Ron last year, he spent time to explain everything. Made me feel much more comfortable. Ron, those wheels look absolutely amazing.

neuronbob

triton3k

wow those rims look amazing. How much are those in 18's? I might have to order me a set for spring.

rondog

iTrader: (1)

Click on the link in the sig, $550 each.
I can't stress how light these things are, i can actually toss the wheel in the air and catch it with one hand, lol.

BTW, even tho these wheels in the pics below are not polished, the tire used is a
235/40/18 to give you an idea of how they will look:

chill_dog

Those wheels look awesome! Nice and shiny...they'll look great on your SSM, Bob (my last car was silver w/ chrome Neepers)! I know you'll post pics...just be sure to post a lot

neuronbob

Those wheels look great! They cost, but should be well worth it. Can hardly wait to receive them. I'm actually contemplating putting them on just for a photo shoot once I get the tires, but I don't think I'll really be able to use them until the spring. Damned winter weather!

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

the weather outside is nice bob! PUT THOSE SUCKERS ON!

neuronbob

Jeez, what peer pressure! And you know what would happen if I did? It would snow 10 inches the next day, and the wheels would be pitted after the first drive. Then I'd be pi$$ed.

I'll do it only if Dick Goddard from Channel 8 says the rest of the winter is going to be mild. (His Cleveland winter forecast is coming up on Thursday, and he's usually right. )

dsc888

No pressure, Bob ! You are our resident neurologist/TL enthusiast so many of us are eagerly awaiting the performance report from the good doctor. I am particularly interested in knowing how much of a performance hit you get with the 18s. But your RJ rims are very light so I'm curious. Please post your butt dyno results once your local weather oracle gives you the green light.

dsc888