I need the wheel specs for my 04 8. I have been told 5 different things and maybe I could get a more precise and accurate answer from you all. I know I what to stay with the 18's. No staggered. What size tire will look the best......going for looks, not performance..there isn't a straight road for miles.



Thinking about ADR'S, HP Design or Helo's...what ya think?

Thanks===zoomy

i currently have 18 x 7.5 with a 45 offset with the stock tire size, fits and looks great. if your car is lowered, you want to stay with that offset, though you can run a wider wheel (i believe that stock wheel is 8" wide). i am getting ready to put a set of 19 x 9.5 with a 40 offset, with 255 35 19 tires, and am hoping they do not rub (too bad anyway). i am also lowered 1.2 inches with the eibach lowering springs.

Thanks lurch, but I won't be doing any lowering. I don't want to do any mods. Dealer told be 18x8 but didn't know the offset. How do I know what is the right tire that these dealers are trying to put on...with the tire package?

OE AT Sport or 6-spd wheels are 18x8, 50mm offset, about 22lbs

245/40/18 is a popular "+0" size.

Not to familiar with this "offset" thing, but how far off can I go on the offset? I do not want any rubbing.

Need some feedback on the type wheels I mentioned in the beginning thread or all these wheels about the same?

How bout these.....http://www.hpdesignwheels.com/wheels/images/lightning-hsdark.jpg

... going for looks, not performance..there isn't a straight road for miles.

:squint:

maybe these....http://www.ultrawheel.com/images/rims/814gL.jpg

Don't plan on doing any drag racing or hauling ass down any country roads, just want the 8 to look good.

Need some help here...ready toplace my order/bid. I guess need to know how low I can go on the offset w/o doing any mods.

maybe these....http://www.ultrawheel.com/images/rims/814gL.jpg

Don't plan on doing any drag racing or hauling ass down any country roads, just want the 8 to look good.

did you say look good? or disgustingly horribly terrifying?!?!?!?!

Agree, I like the HR Design better. Your thoughts?

Define looks good. Your looks good will be different from a lot of peoples here. You have said no staggered tahts fine but do you want big fat, wide rims? high profile? low profile?

You really need to read up on what offset is and how it affects things because you will upset the handling and depending on width of your rims may cause rubbing that a different offset wouldnt.

http://www.yokohamatire.com/utcustom.asp
http://www.yokohamatire.com/utcustom.asp
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

personally if you stay between +50 and +40 you should be right up to about 9.5" wide rims and OEM brake calipers.

How about this but in 18's......sent you a pm auzoom

Thanks

That looks like the HP Lightning. They are nice looking wheels IMO and come in a range of widths but not 100% sure on offsets. If you are looking at keeping OEM calipers then give them a call and find out what offset they come in. look for as close to +50 as possible. You will need to know what width you want before hand though. Again, IMO I would be looking for at least an 8.5" so you can run 245 tyres but better 9" and you can go 265.

One point to note with wider tyres. The wider you go, the more feedback you get from the road. Any rut in the road, previously you may have felt a little tug on the steering whel, with wider wheels that gets magnified. My 2c worth.

the rx8 is made for turns so im going to have to agree with team's :squint:

get 18x8 or wider please? if you get the right offset you wont need spacers. and if you get spacers be sure to check if you need longer studs too.

id say no to the wheel brands you listed, but maybe thats just me

did you say look good? or disgustingly horribly terrifying?!?!?!?!

Agreed. I hate that look.

Thanks for the advice!! What brand wheels do you suggest scsi or anybody? I would like to stay under $1500. If I go 19's, will I be looking at some small mods and will they handle better than the 18's?

Thanks again!

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n33/lurch519/my%208/chucksrims.jpg

not sure i can recommend anything to you in that price range, unless you can find something used. sorry

you can get a set of Enkei RPF1 18 x 9.5 + 45 with centercaps for around $1300 - $1400 shipped, they will take up to a 275 tire without rubbing

I think they look good, you may disagree :dunno: and at only 17 lbs each you can have your cake and eat it to; looks and performance ... ;)

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=98939

Thanks for the link TeamR8. I'll give them a try Saturday morning. Looks like I may settle for 18x8 all the way around but the guy I might order from wants to put them same size tire on. 225/40/18 OEM. Can we not go a touch bigger? I want some real meat on the road! What's the big difference if I go with 18x9's?

245/40-18 will work, and actually a 255/40-18 will be closer to the stock tire height, and will fit with no rubbing as long as the offset is correct.

What about the 18x9 lurch? Is it about the same as running on 18x8's?

the 255 width will work on rim sizes from 8.5-10 inches.

So I need to go w/ the 18x9's...right?

18 x 9 would be fine, but get em in a 45 offset. if you go with anything less, you may experience rubbing, especially of you lower the car.

I think the offest for the 18x8 is 38. Sent the link....if I did it right.

you will probably rub with that offset if you are lowered. if you are stock height, and plan on staying that way, you may be alright.

Anybody like these.........

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x304/X2FLY/Helo_tease_chrome_5lug_600c.jpg

Plan on staying stock height.

What do you guys think about the article written by Brian Goodwin "Right From the Beginning" Pg. 28 MazdaSport Magazine issue 3 2004 where he states in the article "Track-bound enthusiasts should peg upgraded wheels and rubber for one of their first purchases. I've already tried swapping out the factory 18X8s in favor for 18X10s with 285/30 tires..."? 285s? My heart pounds at the thought of having such massive tires on the rear. What are your thoughts?

How far is that 18x10 going to stick out?

Not sure he doesn't give any info on the offset. My wheels are Size : 18 x 8.5(front) & 18 x 9.5(rear)

Offset : 20mm(front) & 25mm(rear)

Lip size : 1" (front) & 2" (rear)

I ahven't lowered and if I do it will be with some Htech Teins so I don't drop it too far.

I'd like to do a 255 or 245 on the front and a 285 on the rear. Just curious if anyone has gone this big on the forum. Thanks

Well I have 10" on the rear with 275 rubber. http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=93085&d=1169796196 As I had my car quite low for a while, the lip rubbed fractionally. I raised it and didnt have problems but got the lip rolled none the less.

Wow, looks sweet. Nice body kit too! So you think a 285 will be too wide?

Thanks, I need to replace the front end as its a cheap replica that doesn't match the paint to well.

As for 285..It will depend on how low you go and if you wish to roll the fender, but I hazzard a guess it will fit on the rear, not sure about the front.

Yeah it will just be strictly for the rear. Tein H springs only drop the rear .3" so I should be ok (I hope). I'll post pics when I'm done. Take care!

Lurch what are the specs on your rims and tires? I like how they fill up the fender and come almost right to the edge. Did you have to do anywork to the fender to make them fit? Also what springs did you get and how much of a drop? Do you need to get aftermarket shocks or do the oem shocks hold up?