Body Kit or Wheels?
 

Alright, spring is coming.. time to do more mods..

Needed some input.. Should I shell out for a body kit (Mazdaspeed/Rotary Extreme) or some new wheels (i really like the racing harts.. but too $$..).. like 19's?

Oh, if wheels.. where is the best place to get them?

Body kit would get my vote, expecially if you're thinking of getting the "genuine" Mazdaspeed... prices are allegedly going up on them soon. A lot. The RE kit is also excellent quality, but you're gonna have to paint it.

Another thing to consider is if you want to keep your TPMS sensors. Many aftermarket wheels don't yet take 'em, but I'm guessing this will soon change. The Fed is mandating these on all new cars starting (I think) this year, so your choices in wheels is apt to be quite a bit better if you wait a bit. Besides, the stock wheels on the '8 aren't bad... much better than most factory wheels, so you could probably live with them for a bit!

Hope this helps...

thanks (H)omi! <-- just playin.. but seriously.. thanks for the input.. i didn't consider the TPMS.. good point.. the body kit idea looks more promising..

personally I went with rims last week because so many bodykits are still coming for the 8

Hehehe.... H-Omi.... pretty good. :D Funny thing is, I've been goin by "Omicron" or Omi as my online friends call me for years on different boards, but that's the first time someone has come up with H-Omi. :D Hehehehe!

Happy to help, and glad the input was useful.

body kit. the stock rims look good for the time being. get the bodykit first to stand out. just my $.02

good choice going with the wheels first.

So, what did you do w/ the tire sensors? I'm curious.. will the indicator light stay on now? What happens? :)

Without the sensors the dash idiot light will stay on constantly. Personally, that would drive me nuts... but then again, many who have gone with aftermarket wheels say that it's easy to ignore.

I kept my tmps with the aftermarket rims.
So I dont have to stare at the light everyday.
I was lucky the tmps works with the dpk rims I have

spoil yourself and just do both! i did! haha!

got pics? :)

I posted pics in wheels section but I'll post one later.

later

btw, love the wheels and new avatar mikeb!!

NOTHING looks worse than a car with an outrageous body kit and with factory wheels. Not that the stock rims look bad but wheels can make or break any car, I have seen cars with some of the tightest body work but the wheels leave the nastiest impression.

Most peple take this approach.

Do your little mods first i.e. clear corners, tint, strakes, exhaust, interior etc.

Next: Wheels and lowering springs this will get you car standing correctly make it appear meaner and more aggressive. Be sure to choose ride height based on what types of body kit you are considering.

Finally: Spoiler and Body kit.

When you choose your kit, remember this NO body kit fits perfect. No matter what anyone says you will always have some type of modification that is needed to get everything to flow together and stand up to everyday driving.

showoff,

you are so right

you must have built a couple of cars in your time

i totally agree to what you say SHOWOFF.... but it just varies on different cars, different kits, different factory rims..... i happen to think body kit first on a 8 would be alright considering the stock 8 wheels do look quite decent..

now tell me this doesnt look nice ! :eek:
http://www.r-3.jp/mem_list/016.jpg

On stock rims and stock ride height ;)

Not to seem like an expert, but I have had 8 Mitsu Eclipses starting in 1991, 1 Mitsu Starion, a BMW 328i, 1 Stealth TT, Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon GLH, I even had a 13 sec. Reliant K station wagon.

All of these cars have been tuned to the hilt or had crazy body work done. My dad always wanted me to get the "Big American V-8 Power" but I always opted for the underdog that could SMOKE those cars.

The Mazdaspeed kit isn't really that flashy compared to the other kits out there, that car is still subtle enough for those rims, but if you even plan on showing that car (which is what I do with my cars now) you would LOSE points when being judged. If you never plan on showing then this would be OK.

And yeah that car does look tight.

that black ms 8 looks great but just picture some nice aftermarket rims on it. That would take it to the next level.

It looks like it needs to be lowered as well.

nice!:D