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Downsizing to 17s, advice?

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Old 02-22-2014, 02:37 PM
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Downsizing to 17s, advice?

Hey all, so I'm really considering replacing my current stockers with 17s, considering they're all bent. If I go 17 I figure I could have more cushion on the tire for the damn roads around here. What width and offset would be best? I don't want to mess the speedo up, and I am lowered on coilovers, so what should I look out for?
Old 02-22-2014, 04:55 PM
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You can go with a pretty wide tire on a 17", something like a 245 or 255 would probably be enough for street use. Offset will depend on alot of factors, mostly on what your "opinion" is on what looks good. Just make sure you pick something that is light weight, it will make a huge difference. Good luck

Oh and post kind of coilovers and drop on front and back for better details.
Old 02-22-2014, 05:30 PM
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my opinion: 17x9 +35offset to +45offset is good with a 255/40 tire
Old 02-22-2014, 05:32 PM
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They're BC coilovers, I would say they drop about as much as S-techs, at least in the front they do. As far as offset I don't really have a preference lol, as long as it doesn't create rubbing issues or anything, I read somewhere that the maximum is 30 offset, and that our stock is 50, for no rubbing.
Old 02-22-2014, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by yomomspimp06
my opinion: 17x9 +35offset to +45offset is good with a 255/40 tire
This won't create any rubbing issues or anything? I know the stock wheels are 8" wide. I will also be autocrossing when spring comes around.
Old 02-22-2014, 06:02 PM
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I run 17x9.5 +38 I'm really low. a lot lower than s-techs. I rub on the bumper tab going over some bumps. I'm also using 245/45 but will be going with a 255/40 soon, as I bought the wheels for track duty. I just wanted to use up the tires that came with them.TopGear has some good info since he has 3 or 4 sets of wheels. I think I remember him saying he ran a 17x9 +28 without issues. He autox's a lot
Old 02-23-2014, 04:08 PM
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What if I find something 17x8 +40? Or 8.5? I won't have fitment issues considering they're the same width as the stockers right? Oh and what did you do with your tpms sensors lol, did you reinstall them on the new wheel? Or did you get new ones?
Old 02-26-2014, 05:25 PM
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I'm actually shopping around for 17x8" wheels myself, though with a +45 offset. It seems to be a tough size to work in our cars, 255/45R17 seems like it'd be about perfect, but I can't seem to find a whole lot of variety in the tire selection. 245/45/17 and 255/40/17 are more readily available, somewhat.

245/45R17 is probably what I'll end up with. I ran two different sets of 245/40R18s for two years, and never really had any fitment problems except a slight rub in very high speed sweepers.
Old 02-26-2014, 08:26 PM
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I have 17's on my 8 and they were on it when i purchased the car. I want 18's back on it, i dont like 17. No driving issue's or anything like that but, for personal taste i prefer the 18's
Old 02-26-2014, 08:41 PM
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Do you have a picture of your car? Thinking about getting a set of 17's

[QUOTE=yomomspimp06;4572857]I run 17x9.5 +38 I'm really low. a lot lower than s-techs. I rub on the bumper tab going over some bumps. I'm also using 245/45 but will be going with a 255/40 soon, as I bought the wheels for track duty. I just wanted to use up the tires that came with them.TopGear has some good info since he has 3 or 4 sets of wheels. I think I remember him saying he ran a 17x9 +28 without issues. He autox's a lot[/QUOTE]
Old 02-26-2014, 08:59 PM
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I dont at the moment but i will get on onto this comp. and post it. As i said earlier personally i like the look of the 18's SO much better BUT The beauty is in the eye of the beholder so.. Yea i'll get one posted.
Old 02-26-2014, 09:04 PM
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https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-whe...wheels-238420/

Or, you can just google RX8 17 inch wheels and click on images.
Old 02-26-2014, 09:06 PM
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There's no pic of those exact specs but you can get an idea.
Old 02-26-2014, 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by gregs
Do you have a picture of your car? Thinking about getting a set of 17's

[QUOTE=yomomspimp06;4572857]I run 17x9.5 +38 I'm really low. a lot lower than s-techs. I rub on the bumper tab going over some bumps. I'm also using 245/45 but will be going with a 255/40 soon, as I bought the wheels for track duty. I just wanted to use up the tires that came with them.TopGear has some good info since he has 3 or 4 sets of wheels. I think I remember him saying he ran a 17x9 +28 without issues. He autox's a lot
[/QUOTE]





best I can do at the moment
Old 02-26-2014, 09:16 PM
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Looks good, now I have to find out if bbk will clear
Old 02-26-2014, 09:47 PM
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You know, I thought about doing this as well; and for the same reason - I had seven wheels and five were damaged. But I really like the OEM wheels for a few reasons, so I looked into having the wheels I had reconditioned. I'm glad I did... Six of the wheels I had were completely repairable, and I had them repaired and refinished in a rootbeer bronze powder coat for about $600 including having new tires (purchased separately) mounted and balanced. That's only about half of the cost of a new set of RPF1s, and I have two spares just in case. The guy I used is in Cincinnati, Ohio and he did a great job. I really feel like I came out ahead over a set of Enkeis that are softer and more likely to bend in an Ohio pothole than the original wheels. I thought you might like to consider doing something like that as cost-saving alternative. I have no regrets. Cheers.
Old 02-27-2014, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by RXeligion
You know, I thought about doing this as well; and for the same reason - I had seven wheels and five were damaged. But I really like the OEM wheels for a few reasons, so I looked into having the wheels I had reconditioned. I'm glad I did... Six of the wheels I had were completely repairable, and I had them repaired and refinished in a rootbeer bronze powder coat for about $600 including having new tires (purchased separately) mounted and balanced. That's only about half of the cost of a new set of RPF1s, and I have two spares just in case. The guy I used is in Cincinnati, Ohio and he did a great job. I really feel like I came out ahead over a set of Enkeis that are softer and more likely to bend in an Ohio pothole than the original wheels. I thought you might like to consider doing something like that as cost-saving alternative. I have no regrets. Cheers.
It really depends on the purpose of the upgrade. In your case, it seems like it was all visual. Moving to a 17" has alot of performance benefits to it. They are significantly lighter and you can fit a meatier tire with it. The tires are also much cheaper if you plan to autocross or track the car at all.
Old 02-27-2014, 09:14 PM
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Yeah I mean the main reason why I wanted to move down to a 17 is for the meatier tire, living in MI with low profile tires is not fun, especially after this hell of a winter we had. Plus I'm hoping the ride will be a bit softer, the cold really makes the coilovers stiff, stupid arctic winds lol.
Old 02-27-2014, 09:17 PM
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Btw I ended up going with XXR 522 wheels, read a lot of good things about them, I got them in 17x9 with a +42 offset. I ordered 245/45/17 tires to go with, discount tire direct ftw! I got Falken Ziex's for the price of Nakangs after a little mishap with my original order :D
Old 02-28-2014, 08:03 AM
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Post up pics when they get mounted
Old 02-28-2014, 09:14 AM
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Haha will do, they should be coming in today.
Old 02-28-2014, 10:34 AM
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Should have gone with a 265/40. Stretching a tire makes the sidewalls stiffer so you might not notice that much of a difference in ride quality...
Old 03-01-2014, 10:44 AM
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You think so? I mean I wanted to go with a size that would have the least deviation in terms of speedometer reading and whatnot. Damn lol.
Old 03-01-2014, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by gregs
Looks good, now I have to find out if bbk will clear
I have the RB 13.1" BBK. I know the 17" RPF1 won't clear but my 17x9 +40 RE30 Club Sports clear by a decent amount.
Old 03-04-2014, 05:28 PM
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Got them on today!



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