DL

2012 Black Sand Pearl paint


Enkei
NT03-M(Hyper Black)

Size: 18x7.5
Offset: 42mm
Backspacing: 5.86"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 215/45-18
Weight: 18.5lbs.
Finish: Hyper Black

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand




Toyo proxes 4 Tires 215/45R18

http://www.onlinetires.com/products/...4+93w+bsw.html


What you think?

Also, do I need the TRD big brake kit for the 18's?

Going to run on the stock springs for now, Have a set of TRD lowering springs that I could install.

Thanks

xseveredveganx

Huh... that didn't work well...

I've been thinking about scooping some of the NT03+M's up. We'll see. They're a nice wheel. But why do you want to run such a narrow wheel?

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

That tire & wheel combo will work fine. I can tell you're not going for the "my wheels are super wide, poke out past the fenders, and need tires stretched beyond safety" look.

No, you do not need the BBK, unless you plan on racing your xB.

emrules2001

Go wider with the tires.

DL

A little wider sounds good, I guess I could go with 225/45R18's tires as long as they don't stick out of the fender wells.

I ran 225/50R16 on a 16 x 7 rim with no problems on my 2008.

What brand 225/45R18's do you guys suggest? summer performance or all season tire

Kumho Ecsta 4X (Ultra High Performance All-Season)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110 (Max Performance Summer)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes


Continental ExtremeContact DWS (Ultra High Performance All-Season)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

On the TRD drop, you should be able to run 225/45-18 tires on those wheels with the +42 offset, even though the outside diameter of the tire is 1" larger than the OEM 205/55-16's. Keep in mind that your ODO will be off a little also.

"When speedometer reads 60mph actual speed will be 62.6mph: 4.3% faster."

Here's the comparer, if you want to play around with it:
http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

Im2c0oL

iTrader: (1)

I been running All Season Tire for most of the time cuz I think I need it for only heavy rain season, but those tires arean't any good, been through many sets, now I'm going toward Perf Summer Tire the pattern seems deal better with water.

and If I had 1.6k to put out of pocket at one time, I wouldn't go for those narrow wheel, would try to craigslist for some nice 18x8 or wider and 35ET may make it looks nicer! you want to make the wheel looks flush to the body. 225/45 is a good size but I see mostly goes with 225/40 or 235/40. those were the sizes I uses, i'm gonna try to go with 225/45 for better ride quality tho, I feels it kinda bumpy and all bumps were heard. I'm on TRD suspension btw...

DL

I am on my 3rd set of toyo proxes4 on my 08 xB, they are a little loud, but the price is good on them. I get about 25 K out of them. They are a summer tire.

I was thinking about going with an All Season tire on the 12 xB and sell the 16" Wedsports and go with the Enkei's 18's.

CIONIDE, thanks for the link and I know from experience to watch my speed with oversized wheels and tires.

The 40 series would be like 60.5 mph but the ride is going to be better with the 45 series, So I'll have to watch my speed.

I use this guide for mph calculator difference.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

Sw07tC,

I had 225/50R16 tires with a 16x7 inch rim on my 08 and it was plenty wide for me.

Tire rack recommends 215, I think going to a 225 for the 18x7.5 rims will be fine for me.

45 series would be a better ride quality.

What's the majority tire on here, Summer or All Season?

DL

oops

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

I'd still go with the 225/45-18, it'll fill out the tire/fender gap better, and give you that extra sidewall height for comfort since you'll be stepping up +2" in wheel diameter.

DL

I agree, thanks

DL

CIONIDE,

What do you think, 17 inch or 18 inch?

Enkei NT03-M(Hyper Black) are very nice, but was thinking silver might look better with a black car?

Enkei PF01(Bright Silver Paint) 17x7 or 17x8 rims,
225/45R17 or 235/45R17 tires

Size: 17x7
Offset: 48mm
Backspacing: 5.66"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 225/45-17
Weight: 15.8lbs.

Size: 17x8
Offset: 45mm
Backspacing: 6.22"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 225/45-17
Weight: 17.2lbs.

18x7.5 or 18x8 225/40R18

Size: 18x7.5
Offset: 45mm
Backspacing: 5.98"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 215/45-18
Weight: 17.6lbs.

Size: 18x8
Offset: +45mm
Backspacing: 6.22"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 215/45-18
Weight: 18.2lbs.


I have ran over a bunch of stuff in the road in my 08 xB with TRD lowering springs, also going thru parking lots and bottoming out, speed bumps, etc.

I want to ride in the 2012 for a while with new wheels and see how the car handles on the stock springs. I may install the TRD springs in the future so I need the right tire/wheel combo, just in case.

I have been riding on 225/50R16 tires for about 4 yrs. So I'm looking for about the same ride quality.

So what's your advice for tires and wheels? thanks

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

WOW!

OK, I'll give you a lot of food for thought, but the decision will be yours...

I will start by saying ride vs. looks vs. mpg is all a matter of compromise for what you are trying to attain.

First off, the xB handles much better on any lowering springs; the OEM springs are linear, so the rear rides a lot choppier on them compared to any progressive lowering spring. I can understand putting the OEM's back on the 2008 for your daughter to give her back the ground clearance, but I would definitely put the TRD's on your new 2012. I'm surprised about your bottoming out comment. I've been on NF210's with softer spring rates than your TRD's for 85k+ miles and I've never bottomed out. I scraped a few times early on when hitting driveways too fast, but I quickly learned to slow down for these transitions. I've also rubbed my rear tires on the fenders, but that's because I'm running 18x8 +30 offset rear wheels with larger 245/40-18 tires.

I think the 18" wheel size is a perfect look for the xB on a mild drop, but you will definitely get a better ride on 17's vs. 18's. 17's will also look really small on OEM springs, which is another reason I would put on the TRD springs regardless of which wheel size you decide to go with. Oh, and I hate the jacked up look of the xB on OEM springs.

If you want ride quality similar to your 16's, then I would go with 17" wheels and slightly taller 17" tires than the OEM 205/55-16's or your current 225/50-16's (which are about the same diameter).

The last consideration is wheel & tire width. Wider wheels & tires can look great, and put more rubber on the road, but they also weigh more which leads to lower mpg, especially if you are running larger diameter tires because they put more unsprung tire weight further out from the center of the hubs which means more rotational mass and inertia to overcome when accelerating (particularly from a stop). Wider wheels & tires also mean less room for taller tires to give you that extra sidewall comfort, or you could rub.

So... 17" wheels/tires = more comfort; narrower wheels/tires = lighter weight for better mpg as well as allowing for taller tires to clear w/o rubbing; 18" wheels/tires = better look (IMHO) but at the expense of some ride comfort.

After contemplating the variables involved, and selecting a wheel size & width, I can help with tire sizing.

That being said, all your wheel options are lighter weight than the OEM steelies. I'd personally go with the TRD springs and the 18x7.5 +45 wheels with 225/45-18 tires. If you want the higher sidewall for more comfort then I'd suggest the 17x8 +45 offset with 235/45-17 tires.

I hope that helps.

DL

Hey CIONIDE,

Talked to the daughter this morning who lives in Ohio. After reading your post, I'm going to leave the TRD springs on the 08 and the 16x7 Wedsports wheels for her to use for summer driving and give her my stock 2012 wheels to use for winter.

I still need to decide on 17 or 18 wheels and will buy a new set of TRD springs for 2012.

I never drove the 2008 on the stock springs, I had them install the TRD springs when I bought the car. I really like the way it handles with them.

Thanks for the advice, it helped alot

DL

CIONIDE,

Do you like any of the tires I listed? Or what mfg do you suggest?

Leaning towards going with TRD springs and the 18x7.5 +45 wheels with 225/45-18 tires.

Once in a while I tote around 3-4 people. I work out of town most of the time and travel home once or twice a month, sometimes the car is pretty weighted down in the back during my road trips.

Will it bottom out with the 45 series tires? Do you know?

Thanks

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

All 3 of them have good reputations in their price point. Keep in mind that the Ventus V12's are directional, and therefore can't be fully rotated. My next set of tires will be the ExtremeContact DW, so my favorite of those you listed would be the DWS.

No absolute guarantees, but with the +45 offset I don't think you should ever bottom out or rub unless you're putting in more than the 800# rating of total people and/or cargo load. Oh, and no driving over bumps or dips at idiot speed.

DL

I only rotate from front to back every 5K oil change/tire rotation.
I have summer tires on the 08 but was thinking All Season on 12.
DWS ratings/reviews look good on tire rack.


I go slow over speed bumps or dips. On my 08, I occasionally have scrapped/dragged the rear sway bars.

Thanks for the help..

oreoremix42

Extreme Contact DW is a GREAT tire. I have one down fail. It doesn't handle rain all that well. But this is me coming from a set of tires I have done over 100mph in heavy rain without an issue so I am a little spoiled.

Just so you know I am running a 8.5 wide in front +32 offset(I could be wrong, been a while since I checked last) with a 225/45 front and 9.5 wide on 245/45 rear without an issues. Not lowered but it has no issues no rubbing on my large ___ tires lol.

DL

Thanks for all your help CIONIDE

Thanks to everyone else too.

I wanted 18's, but I think 17's will work better for how I will be using the car. Going to put the TRD lowering Springs on.

I'll let you guys know how things are working out when I put them on my 2012, sometimg after it arrives at dealer on Oct. 10, 2011.

Enkei PF01 (Bright Silver Paint) Wheels

Size: 17x8
Offset: 45mm
Backspacing: 6.22"
Bolt Pattern: 5-114
Rec. Tire Size: 225/45-17
Weight: 17.2lbs.


235/45-17 tires
Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (W)(Ultra High Performance All-Season)

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Pics when you're done.