wheel decision...

[hawaiian_msp]

ok i'm "planning" to get gram light 57pro wheels.
like this:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/import-store_1820_42321985

I made up my mind to get those over these:
GL 57C
http://www.wheelspecs.com/specs/images/WheelModels/gramlights_57cgunmetal.png
GL 57F
http://www.wheelspecs.com/specs/images/WheelModels/Volk_57FGramLightsbronze.png

i'm also open to personal opinions **put on flamesuit** lol

now the question is should I stick with 17's (17x7.5, +48offset) or step up to 18's (18x7.5, +48offset) all input is appreciated. thanks! -mike

[vindication]

Nice choice, it'll look killer on the titanium. I would go with the 18's. I have 17's on my LX but the wheels are smaller diameter than the MSP so the !8's would be too big for a nice ride but will be perfect for the MSP. Lucky bastard

[ghost]

Good Choice!! They would look hott w/blue tuner lugs. What color are you going to get??

[hawaiian_msp]

Good Choice!! They would look hott w/blue tuner lugs. What color are you going to get??
just like the pic, gunmetal grey w/ a silver polished lip :)

[vodapas77]

Glad to see you've finally learned to take my advice. lol. J/P I'd go with the 18" simply because as long as you are upgrading, you might as well go all the way. Not to mention the MSP's stock wheels are already heavy as hell at like 21 pds. per wheel. So, you can go up an inch and size with a good light wheel and not increase the total vehicle weight at all. However, you will have a little more unsprung weight. But, since I know you are more focused toward show than having the the best track time I think the 18" 57pro is the perfect wheel for you. Hmmm, I think I told you the exact same thing at my house last Sunday. lol.

Edit: Wanna donate your MSP wheels to the MPV? Come on, you know it would look hot!

[ghost]

just like the pic, gunmetal grey w/ a silver polished lip :)
Awsome!(hump)

[Mallard]

I'd go with 17's because I'm more focused on handling and there's no advantage to the 18's. That and the 18 would have such a small profile tire on it that I'd be worried about denting it on every little bump.

[sXe]

17's are more practical but 18's are just straight up hot

and if you can afford some volks... those are always mighty pretty

[yashooa]

Forged titanium is the ONLY way to go...(dark)(cool)(dark)

[hawaiian_msp]

bump for christmas :)

[daKiNeP5]

18"s would look hot for shows but yeah with the smaller profile tire and our shitty ass roads you might wanna keep your stocks for daily driving. Also the ride will probably kinda rough with the low pro tires. Personally I would go 17"s but that was after seeing Lang's rims on my car. Everyone including myself thought those were way to big for my car. No matter what size you decide to get, those rims will always be PIMP!

[hawaiian_msp]

I'm kinda pulling towards 17's... any good reasong why I should go with 18's? if not? imma settle with 17's


see lang, I still didn't learn to take your advice lol

[mp3moose]

I am scared how much a set of those cost.

[vodapas77]

I'm kinda pulling towards 17's... any good reasong why I should go with 18's? if not? imma settle with 17's


see lang, I still didn't learn to take your advice lol
You'll learn someday. lol. Besides I was refering to you taking my advice as to which wheel you should get. The polished lip is key!

As for 18's I agree there is no real advantage. A 17" wheel offers just as good as handling as a 18" wheel and a 17" wheel will weigh less.

However, I still vote 18" because I like the appearance of a larger wheel with lower profile rubber. However, that's a personal view.

[mp3moose]

Hell, if your going to get rays, get 18s.

[NRRfrogmanP5]

awsome choice

[L8R]

check your offsets and sizes.

18s will not fit unless u get the 57F-PRO (18x7.5 5x114.3 +47 offset).
The highest off set is a +40 offset.

17s would be perfect, 17x7.5 5x114.3 +48 offset.

57C also, the highest offset is a +40

http://www.gruppe-s.com/Volk/gl-57p.jpg 57 pro is the way to go. i think i can get these for $2000 with tires (17s)

[hawaiian_msp]

check your offsets and sizes.

18s will not fit unless u get the 57F-PRO (18x7.5 5x114.3 +47 offset).
The highest off set is a +40 offset.


http://www.gruppe-s.com/Volk/gl-57p.jpg 57 pro is the way to go. i think i can get these for $2000 with tires (17s)
will a 18x7.5 5x114.3 +48 offset not fit?

and can you hook it up if I cant get a better price? :D

[toucci]

will a 18x7.5 5x114.3 +48 offset not fit?

and can you hook it up if I cant get a better price? :D

that will work just fine. you can run 215/35/18 tires with that.

[hawaiian_msp]

that will work just fine. you can run 215/35/18 tires with that.
I think I need to study the fittment recipe again. if I run a 47 offset, will I be able to run a higher series tire?

[vodapas77]

No, Chris is saying they don't make a 57 Pro in 18x7.5 +48. The highest offset they offer is +40. (I'm not sure if that's true or not. I haven't checked.) However, 18x7.5" +48 will fit just fine. In fact that is Rishie's recomended size for 18" on a Pro.

Oh and do yourself a favor and don't run 35 series tires if you go with 18's. Your rims will be bent in no time with the roads out here. I would personally recomend 215/40/18. It gives you enough meat between the rim and the road to be safe without looking like a balloon at the same time.

[hawaiian_msp]

ok, I just checked available sizes and I guess thats a really good reason to stick with 17's :) now i'm sticking with gram light 57pro gunmetal w/ a polished lip 17x7.5 +48 offset (lol2) unless someone has a miracle idea/reason to go with 18's... anyone?

[capnsavem]

ok, I just checked available sizes and I guess thats a really good reason to stick with 17's :) now i'm sticking with gram light 57pro gunmetal w/ a polished lip 17x7.5 +48 offset (lol2) unless someone has a miracle idea/reason to go with 18's... anyone?

does that mean your mazdaspeed wheels are for sale??? (eek2)

[hawaiian_msp]

does that mean your mazdaspeed wheels are for sale??? (eek2)
wanna give me $1000 for them (lol2)

[hawaiian_msp]

ok I have yet another question :) would a 17x8 +48 offset fit?

[vodapas77]

ok I have yet another question :) would a 17x8 +48 offset fit?I'm no Rishie, but I'm gonna say no. With that high of offset more than likely your tires (hell maybe even your wheels) will come in contact with your lateral arm bars in the rear. You might even have conflict with your struts. (This is the reason I can't get the Advan A048s I want so bad.)

Remember that by going to an 8" wide wheel you're adding a half an inch more, on to both your inside and outside, than the widest wheel Mazda ever put on a Protege. A half an inch = 12.7 millimeters. When it comes to wheel fitment on a Protege millimeters matter and that's a whole lot of millimeters.

I'm not saying you can't run an 8" wheel. But, I highly doubt you can run an 8" wheel at such a high positive offset. At +42 you'd probably be safe. But then, as we all know, you'll have to worry about rubbing issues on the fender.

My recomendation is follow Rishie's formula and stick with a 7.5" wide wheel at +48. There ya go, sorry I wasn't on AIM when you needed an answer.

[hawaiian_msp]

ok the issue now is that gram light 57pro's dont come in 17x7.5 only 17x7 but they do come in 18x7.5 +48 so now i'm back to 18s can someone clear up the availablility of these sizes up for me... different websites say different things. so I dont know which site has the right info...

edit: ok this is the site I shoud trust right... looks like i'm sticking with 18's

http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/cgi-bin/cgi2/english/sizeGuide.cgi?modelName=57PRO