ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

I'll be needing new tires soon and need to decide between the following:

1) Get some 225-50-16 rubber for my 16" Scion alloys

2) Get 17" rims with 225-45-17 rubber

I could also use some info on TPMS. I'd like to transfer my sensors to the new rims. Can any tire shop do this?

I've got my rim choices narrowed down to the following:


Enkei EV5 17x7 +38, 19.6 lbs



Enkei Racing RS-M 17x8 +48, 16.8 lbs



Motegi Racing SP-10 hyperblack 17x7 +40, 17.0 lbs



Enkei Imola 17x7.5 +40, 20.4 lbs


What's really making this hard for me is the photo quality at TireRack. The SP10s look terrible on my car at Tire Rack but look fantastic on Zsanz's car in his photos. Does anyone have a good photo of the EV5s on a XB2? Are there any other similar rims I should look at? I'm new to this and feeling kind lost at the moment...

Cionide! Help!!!

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

I forgot to include these Kosei K1 TS wheels. 17x7 +42, 14.1 lbs



I like these too but as with all of them, I can't tell what they really look like from Tire Rack's pics. One bright silver wheel looks like bright silver, another looks grey and another looks hyperblack. These silver Kosei's look almost white to me while the silver Enkei RS-M's look grey.

oreoremix42

I like the first set the most, but I am baised over 5 spoke rims.

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

Regarding the TPMS sensors, any decent tire shop should be able to transfer them to the new rims as long as the new rims accept TPMS sensors (make sure you know which mounted rim goes on which corner). Although most do (Enkei for example), not all do. However, whomever you purchase your rims from should be able to tell you that. I think TPMS may be one of the search qualifiers at DiscountTireDirect and TireRack.

I went with 16" aftermarket for two reasons, I could continue to use my OE rubber, and it provides maximum rim protection from road hazards. Still, if your OE tires are pretty much done, 17" can't be too much worse than 16" in terms of risk, and they do make for a different appearance.

I never get involved in rim choice discussions, too personal! Good luck !

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

I'd say step up to the 17's for summer, and keep the steelies for dedicated winter tires.

All of those will work fine with 225/45 tires. With the wider 8" wheel & higher +48 offset of the Enkei Racing RS-M, I would suggest 235/45 tires for that one.

As Trevor said, wheel choice is very personal; all that matters is that you like them. My taste doesn't count, but I've always preferred 5/6/7-spoke wheels with wide spokes so my choice from above would be the Enkei EV5. I also think that the slightly darker finish and luster of the spokes combined with the polished lip give it a nice rich look that would compliment the NBM color quite nicely.

When I had my tires & wheels installed at America's Tire Co. (Discount Tire) they swapped the sensors for free, but there is a rebuild kit with new washers and nuts that they charged $28 for. No big deal, just an FYI.

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. I should have been more general with my questions. What I'd like to know is whether Enkei is worth the premium vs cheaper wheels like Drag, MB or Motegi? How important is 3 lbs per wheel? How durable are really light 1 pc cast wheels? Does anyone have photos or links to photos of any of these wheels on a XB2 or any other car?

At this point I'm leaning towards the EV5s but one thing I really don't like is the dual bolt pattern. To me, a dual bolt pattern screams "cheap wheels". OTOH, as much as I like the Enkei GTC01, I won't spend $355 each for them.

oreoremix42

GOOO EV5 haha. Anyway they come in a non universal pattern? I would assume they due. I just know that universal can make them slightly weaker, but more then likely not a big concern

DREWxB08

iTrader: (1)

Kosei K1 TS wheels has my vote!

surfMOMster

iTrader: (1)

My daughter had a really bad experience with Drag. The rims she bought were two piece construction and the weld loosened, causing a loud clicking sound whenever the wheel rotated. This happened on the front wheels (maybe due to the weight of the engine?). Exchanged them for a brand new set of four and the same thing happened within a month.
She went with Akita instead.
The guys at Discount Tire in Carson gave us excellent customer service though the whole ordeal!

I went with Enkei for their reputation, price, and style. Plus, the 1pc cast construction was important to me.

YELOSUB

I vote the Kosei's for sure...

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. I'm ruling out the cheap junk like Drag. As much as I like the Kosei K1-TS wheels, I'm ruling them out as well because of too many www stories about how soft they are. They look great and are very light but perhaps more suited to auto-x use than DD with potholes and curbs.

Looks like I've narrowed my choices down to the EV5s or RS-Ms.

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

Okay, I'm going with the EV5s in hyperblack. What size and offset? 17x17 +38 or 18x8 +38 or +45?

randomsuper

i say 17's with some fat tires. you're boosted anyways. 18's will just slow you down,

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

The 18's only weigh 1.3# more than the 17's, and spread it out over 1" more of diameter.

I suggest 18x8 +38 with 225/40 tires, if you would like to be closer to flush. The face of the front wheel lips will still sit back about 1/4" from the outer edge of the front fenders, and the rears will sit back a little more.

If you would like a little more meat on the ground to help the turbo hook-up, then I suggest the 18x8 +45 with 235/40 tires. The face of the front wheel lips will still sit back about 1/2" from the outer edge of the front fenders, and the rears will sit back a little more.

You will have no rubbing issues with your TRD springs for either of these set-ups.

Mach-box

FRED! This should not even be a up here. You just need to purchase the Enkei EV5 17x7 +38, 19.6 lbs. They are so much better than any of the other choices. And i think 17's look great on our cars. Seriously don't make me call and yell at you for not making the right choice here. lol.

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

Thanks again guys. I'm leaning towards the 17's again. IMO my box already rides a bit rough with the TRD springs and I might hate it with 18's. If I had progressive springs like the DFs, I might feel differently. Besides, the 17" package costs less and has more tire choices.

Okay... truth be known, I just don't want Mach-Box to call and yell at me.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Then run the 17x7 +38 with 225/45 tires; don't try to go any wider on 7" wheels. I have 17x7 on my fronts with 225/45 tires and they have plenty of bulge to protect the rim lips from curbage, and they actually handle a little sloppy during aggressive turning transitions from the extra sidewall flex.

ScionFred

iTrader: (1)

My oem tires still have tread left so I may keep looking. I like the EV5's a lot but would much prefer a single bolt pattern and 7.5" width. I'm not excited about running a tire spec'd for a 7.5" rim and rated for 7-8.5" on the narrowest possible rim.

BTW, I was wrong about the EV5 18's, they're 7.5" wide, not 8" as I said. Thx again.

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

I still think you should go 8" wide with 235 tires, to put that turbo power to the pavement. Since it sounds like you're headed towards 17's, 17x8 with 235/45 tires would be nice, and there are plenty of light weight 17x8 wheels out there.
Here are a few 5-hole examples, since I know you don't like the dual bolt pattern:

http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?w...-+Hyper+Silver
http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?w...heelmodel=FC01
http://www.buywheelstoday.com/produc...%26+Lip%29.bwt
http://superbuytires.com/MSR/Type%20138/?finish=Gray
http://superbuytires.com/Raze/R74/?finish=Gunmetal

I like the Fast FC-01's best (#2 above), and at 16.8# each they're nice & light..

PDX_xB

I have the Kosei's in 18x8 on my RS6. Here's some photos:



Right_Three_Quarter.jpg?t=1271541008

RED_BOX_Front_Right.jpg?t=1271541049

PDX_xB