Frosty

iTrader: (7)

I'm looking into getting new wheels for the summer. I'm wondering what the widest wheel width and lowest offset combo is for stock suspension on 2004 TL. ( i don't have brembo brakes or anything) I like the idea of a wide agressive look.

I have no plans to lower the car. If I ever have to replace shocks/springs, I may get the aspec suspension. So that's a POSSIBLE .5" drop in the future. I do want to rub my tires at all, ever! Stretching the tires is out of the question. I don't like my rims to be completely exposed, and I don't really like the look.


So, specifically, would I be able to fit 18x9.5 wheels with a 30mm offset and 245/40/18 tires on the stock suspension without ANY rubbing or other issues?

Also, I do not want to do any other modifications such as rolling/pulling fenders, camber kits, etc. If the setup i stated will not work, please let me know what would work. Thanks.

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

god speed little buddy.

Biggi_e

iTrader: (1)

dont get rims. save your money

Predatorbird

Aggressive setups look like crap when the car isn't low enough. I can't imagine trying to pull it off on stock suspension.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

It will work but your car will look goofy

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Why? I thought the only thing about wheels that made a car look bad with stock suspension was a very large diameter. These are only 18's which are what the Aspecs are, and people put those on stock suspension all the time. They look fine to me. So I don't think the diameter is a problem. Will the width of a wheel make a car with no drop look bad as well? I don't see how it would. Maybe pics would help.

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

Certain rims look different...it's hard to explain but a rim which has spokes that go all the way to the lip will look bigger than a rim that doesn't. For some reason a lot of cars look good stock but as soon as you slap big/flashy rims on it it looks goofy. You can do what you want, it's your car but I think once you do it you'll want a drop, maybe even an inch at the least. Also, the setup you stated previously seems like it would work, but I'm not positive, you need someone else with more knowledge on that matter. Search the forums and see if you can find someone with a similar setup, also you can search google, such as "245/40/18 acurazine" and you should get some good results. Hope that helps. If not you can ask Sharksbreath

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

18 x 9.5 +30 will poke out

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

How about 18x9.5 +40 with 250/40/18 tires? I found the TSW Nurburgring in Bronze and I really like them. They are that size. What do you guys think of them? I can't find any pictures of them on a WDP TL (what i have), but I'd love to see some if anyone has any.




^^ I mean 255/40/18 tires.

serbj

iTrader: (1)

These wheels are pure sex IMO, but the bronze color may look more aligned with darker exterior body colors, such as grey or black.

18x9.5 +40 will fit with no issue (even with aggressive 2.5 inch drop, see https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/hyper-black-grids-799958/). However, 255/40 tires' sidewall is too thick for TL (i.e. outer diameter too big). You can get:

235/40R18
245/40R18
255/35R18
265/35R18
or 275/35R18.

They will all fit the wheels. 265 and 275 are ideal for 9.5 inch wide wheels, but may be too wide for TL, if you are anal about MPG like me. 235 and 245 are for stretched appearance.

Personally I will get 255/35 tires, but I won't get 9.5 inch wide wheels, unless narrower versions are not available.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Really, you don't like the bronze? I think the bronze looks pretty good on white.

Also, I used the tire calculator on 1010tires.com and the sidewall height for the stock 235/45/17 setup is 4.16 inches. The sidewall height for 255/40/18 is 4.01. So it's actually smaller. But yes, the diameter difference is 2.73%. Is that really a big deal though? I'm not concerned about MPG, at all. All I want is it to fit, and not rub at all.

I definitely don't want a stretched look, nor do I want the very little rim protection that comes with that look. I guess I could start looking at 265 and 275 if those are ideal for the 9.5" width. Assuming they won't rub of course.

happyboy

265/35-18 should be bang on with stock height...and I agree....the bronze looks awesome on white!!

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

It's going to look like a 4x4 without a drop. Here's a TL with 19" TSW Rings and no drop.





And a +40, 9.5" wheel will poke 24mm more than stock, which is fine with stock suspension, but 255's will add another 10mm and cause problems.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Honestly, I don't think that TL looks bad. Plus, those are 19's, mine will only be 18. TONS of people have 18" apsecs on stock suspension and I think it looks totally fine.

Also, both of the tire sizes that I'm considering (255/40/18, and 265/35/18) will have a thinner sidewall than the stock 235/45/17. So that should keep the car around the same height that it currently is, right?

And you're saying I will rub with 9.5" width, +40 offset, and 255 tires? Even on stock suspension?

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

The A-Specs look good because they're relatively narrow, with a conservative offset. Once you start going wide on stock suspension is when it starts looking silly in most peoples' opinion. And yes, you will rub with that setup. It will poke 34mm more than stock with a 255. Do some quick measuring and you'll see. Even on stock suspension, full compression will cause issues.

TRIOD3SIGNS

sigh... Take a breath, and choose for yourself. Youll find that 95% of aftermarket wheels will look goofy if you don't do some type of suspension height adjustment. In the end its your choice and your car. Do what makes you happy. You'll find as you get older you'll care less about what others think.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Can anyone else confirm this about the rubbing? No offense, I'd just like more opinions. Where are you getting the 34mm number? If its 1.5" wider than stock, that's 38 mm +5 mm for the offset difference. So wouldn't it poking out 43mm?

Also, there are other size options for that wheel. I just thought wider made the car look the best. Would any of these setups fit/look better on stock suspension? I would like it to be pretty flush with the car. Not sticking out, and not too far in.

-18x8 +35 with 245/40/18 tires
-18x8.5 +20 with 255/40/18 with tires
-18x8.5 +45 with 255/40/18 tires
-18x9 +32 with 265/35/18 tires
-18x9 +63 with 265/35/18 tires

joelmatt89

iTrader: (1)

Seriously man take the advice of these guys you will thank them later, just about any aftermarket wheel/tire combo looks goofy with stock suspension. Spend your money on suspension first and then move onto wheels. You car will look way better with stock wheels and a drop than aftermarket wheels and 4x4 status. Your not gonna find too many guys who can give you a 100% guarantee of what you can fit with stock height, because anyone who is going to push the limits has already dropped the car.

maxpsi

I run an 18x8 +40 w/ 255/40-18s all around plus 15mm spacers front & 20mm rear.

Fenders pulled & rolled. 1.5" drop.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

First of all, I want you to know I love the look of the car now, but I drive the car year round. It goes through snow, salt, everything. I live in Northeast Ohio. Therefore, I want to use my stock wheels which already have curb rash on them (not my doing) for winter, and buy some new wheels for spring, summer, and fall.

I understand that the car would look much better dropped. That isn't really an option for me though. The car is my daily driver, and I really like my nice soft ride. In fact, I wish the ride was even softer. I think of my car as more of a luxury vehicle rather than a sporty car. I know I will have a car like that someday though. On the other hand, I definitely do not want to completely give up good looks for comfort.

But surely there is a happy medium here: soft ride, AND good looks. If 18x9.5 is gonna look bad on stock suspension, then won't get that size. I just want to know what is the biggest size that will fit on stock suspension AND look good. I will not stretch my tires, but I might be willing to roll fenders. I know 18x8 +45 and 18x8.5 +45 with 245/40/18 tires will fit and look just fine, since a lot of people have that setup with the Aspecs. It just so happens that the Nurburgrings come in 18x8.5" with +45 offset. So would that size wheel with a 245/40/18 tire on stock suspension be my best bet? I don't think I'll need to roll fenders or anything. (maybe i answered my own question )

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

No, only half of the extra 1.5" width of the wheel will push outward toward the fender; the other half will push inward from the hub.

So, we have 38.1mm/2 = 19.05 mm, plus the extra 5mm offset for a total of 24.05mm. If you stop there, and run a 235 tire you should be fine without any fender mods. It's the extra 20mm of the 255 series tire (again, only half will push outward) which is going to cause you to rub.

joelmatt89

iTrader: (1)

I completely understand where you are coming from... I live in northwest Ohio. George Bush himself said my city had the worst roads in the entire country so I know what its like to deal with potholes, snow, salt etc. If you are worried about a smooth ride get some 16's :P, but... seriously going from a 17 to a 19 will make your ride much rougher than a quality 1.5" drop. If you care about a smooth ride my advice is get some aftermarket 17's that look good in that size and get a nice coilover kit so you can easily lower it in the summer and then raise it up over the winter. The amount of money you will save by getting 17's over 19's will probably pay for at least half of the coilover kit. I think nice 17's and a drop will look a lot better than 19's and no drop, I am sure everyone on here would agree. When I say nice 17's i pretty much mean the Type S wheels I think those are the best looking 17's you can get for our cars. The other option that I think looks good is rota grids

but hey if you really want a set of 19's buy mine, I only used them for three months, tires are practically brand new, not a scratch on the wheels. If your in northeast ohio i will meet you halfway (should be under an hour drive) you can have them for $750 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_500wt_1287

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Thanks, this was very helpful. I didn't realize half would go out and half would go in. So you're saying I could run 18x9.5 +40 with 255/40/18 IF I roll the fenders?

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

At stock height there is no need to roll fenders. Wheels can go as wide as possible (even 18 x 11). How it will look is a totally different story.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the advice. The wheels I'm looking at are 18's not 19's, but the concept probably still applies. That's hard to believe that bigger wheels on stock suspension would reduce ride quality more than stock wheels with a 1.5" drop. If this is true though, I may consider it. Even if the ride is smoother though, I'd still always have to worry about scraping. I scrape now in certain places at stock height

I'm assuming you're saying it will look funny since it will poke out. I absolutely do not want them to poke out. I HATE that look. What do you think the widest wheel offset combo is that will not poke, but be pretty flush with the fender? ( If anything I'd like it to be in a little rather than poked out)

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

There are too many options out there. First you need to find the wheels you like and then we can talk specs from there.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

I said earlier that I like the TSW Nurburgrings in Bronze. I posted pictures too.

cokorote

iTrader: (1)

Why you don't get the aspec wheel, type s wheel or even the rare aspec 8.5" and keep the stock height? Since your top priority is comfort ride.

My friend got a conservative aftermarket wheel and it look bad. In the end he got the coilover to lower it 1" to make look good. But in all seriousness take the advice of the guys they are right and they are helpful .

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

I'm thinking about doing that (getting aspec wheels or type s wheels). It seems like such an easy solution to my dilemma. But the Nurburgrings come in the EXACT same size as the rare Aspecs: 18x8.5 +45. So won't they fit the exact same way? Maybe sizes vary from one manufacture to the next, but i thought an inch/millimeter was an inch/millimeter.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Get the TSW 18X8.5 +45 WITH 245/40/18 tires. Problem solved.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

In general, are TSW's well made? These specific wheels are rotary forged. Not sure what the difference between regular forged and rotary forged is though.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Guys, try out the Multi-Quote button in the lower right hand corner of each post. It's the middle icon-it allows you to reply to more than one person in a single reply.

Thanks!

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

IMO for everyday driving, wheels are just wheels. I have had both cheap and expensive wheels and they all function the same way to me. TSW has been around for a while now and I think they are fairly decent. If you want top quality, you might want to look into Work, Volk, etc...

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, I'd love to get Work wheels. They're just too much. Maybe I could find some used ones, but I don't know. I think I've decided to go with 17's instead of 18's. I really do not want to lose any ride quality. My main reason for getting new wheels is so I can have winter tires on my stock wheels, and just swap the wheels every winter/spring. Those Nurburgrings come in 17x8 +35 and 17x9 +63. If I get the 17x8's +35 I will put either 245/45/17 or 255/45/17 tires on them. If I get the 17x9's +63 I will put either 255/40/17 or 255/45/17 tires on them. Which of these 4 setups would look/fit the best? (it's the offsets that I'm concerned about mostly)

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

Maybe the 18x11 would work with a highly stretched tire, but the 18x9.5, +40, 255 tire setup will make contact under full suspension compression.
17x9, +63 will look bad since it'll be sunken in more than stock. 255/45 will be too tall. I'd still go 18's though. You're too paranoid about losing ride quality. The base TL is soft and floaty to begin with. There's plenty of room to firm up the wheels/tires/suspension before the ride becomes harsh.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Of the choices I'd go 17x8 + 35 with 245/45/17. With that said, I'd get 18 inch wheels instead of 17's.

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

Wow, everyone told me to not get big wheels since I'm not gonna drop it and it will look bad, and now that I say I'm thinking about just getting 17's, people are saying I should get 18's instead. I don't get it.

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

18's are not big. My rule of thumb for aftermarket wheels is to get 1" above stock. 18" with a 40 series tires will roughly be about the same as 17" with 45 series. Basically a little less tire for a little more rim. If you're going for performance it is pointless to get 17's

Frosty

iTrader: (7)

I'm definitely NOT going for performance. I want a thicker tire to cushion the ride more. That's why I'm thinking 17's. I wouldn't want the ride to be any harder than it currently is.

tlmailman

I am looking some new wheels also, 18x7.5, 5x114.3, but the offset is +55. What does that do for the "flush" look? Everyone here is talking +40 offset and spacers. Does +55 mean my wheels would stick out? I have stock suspension, and no drop. And bore is 64. Didnt realize so much to factor in, just looking to get some nicer rims for summer. Sorry to hijack your thread OP.