kors-jan

Can someone educate me? I've never bought wheels before. I've spent the last hour reading threads and doing searches through this site (so don't flame me) and elsewhere (tried Google). Here are my questions?

1. What are the OEM specs on 2005 RX8 wheels? Is it 18x8JJ with a 50 mm offset? If so, what does all this mean? I get that the "18" is wheel diameter, but what about the rest (e.g., "8", "JJ", and "50mm offset"). And, what about bolt pattern specs? A concise reply would be great and helpful and all in one place for me. I see that Tire Rack has helpful information, such as http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/....jsp?techid=95

2. If I want to buy some after market wheels, what do I need to consider and avoid as I search for them? Does 7.5 or 8.5 make much difference than the OEM 8, for example? Or, 45mm or 55mm offset instead of the OEM 50 mm offset? A few sentences to explain this to me would be so appreciated.

3. I'm interested in some WHITE 18" rims for my Whitewater Pearl RX8. Got any suggestions about where to look? I'm not interested in high performance rims as I don't track my car or drive it super aggressively. Price for some street rims needs to be kept reasonable. I probably will keep close to 225/45R/18 tire size.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

the OEM 18" wheels are 18"x8", ET +50mm, ~22lbs with a bolt pattern of 5x114.3.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

start looking here https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/index-wheel-stores-114717/ or if you have time, here https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/pics-aftermarket-rims-57557/

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

Seeing as you've put the time in looking into this, I'll chime in with what I know.

Wheels: 18x8x+50 = 18 inch diameter wheels that are 8 inches wide and have a 50 millimeter offset. Offset is the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the face of the hub of the wheel. The higher the offset, the closer the hub surface is to the face of the wheel. Because your hub won't be moving, this tucks the wheel into the car. If you went with aftermarket wheels, you probably want to stay near the +50 mm offset. Going higher offset and tucking the wheel more isn't very attractive. Going less will bring your wheels out a little. So long as you are staying with the 8" width, going with an offset between about 35 and 50 will probably fit. 35 would bring your wheel face about .6" out. You will find tons of wheels with offsets in this range. The real problems start to surface when you are trying to lower your car and increase wheel/tire width. Eventually, you will have trouble with the wheel rubbing on the inside or the outside of the wheel well/suspension. If you are not lowering too much and staying stock width, it is not very hard to find a size that fits.

My recommendation is to go shop for wheels and see what size is available. Buy an 8" wide wheel. Run 225x50x18 (stock size) or 245x45x18 (.8" wider but still fits 8" wide wheel) tires. Tires are measured width in millimetersXaspect ratioXwheel diameter. 225 tires are 225 mm (8.9 inches) wide. They are 50% as tall in the sidewall (aspect ratio 50) which is 225 mutlplied by .5 or 112.5mm tall (4.4 inches). They fit on 18" rims.

Once you have a set of wheels you want, search on here to see who is running that size. It is almost certain that if you find a size wheel that fits the car, someone is running it. They can tell you if they rub and what suspension they are using. Other than that, you are best guessing. Mostly, you should be able to predict a wheel will fit but you can't guarantee till you get it on the car.

Remember the bolt pattern 5x114.5 (5 bolts on a circle of diameter 114.5 mm).

The absolute EASIEST way is to contact AutoRND/JonDemand or any other forum vendor dealing in wheels and have them help you shop. They know wheel brands and sizes. They can package tires with them. They are nice guys who will be happy to help you out if you are going to shop with them.

kors-jan

Hey you two guys, thanx for all the very helpful comments. I appreciate not being flamed to "Search." I'll reread all this and think it through. This is how the Club website is supposed to work, IMO.

If anyone else has suggestions for a good place to find WHITE wheels, I would appreciate knowing that too.

A.Mair

this is something i was looking for too, good stuff

map

Can someone go into the differences in fit on the RX8 between 18s and 19s? Will the 19s be much harder to get in a size that fits without rubbing? Do they effect the ride substantially? What widths and offsets are best for 19s?

I'd like to get new rims, but a new set of 18s seem like a lateral move. So what I really want to know is, what are the reasons not to get 19s?

MI_FamilyMan

Hey Kors,
Since you are somewhat in SE Michigan, let me know how things work out for you. I am leaning towards buying new rims as well, and am as new to the whole process as you are. I am concerned about finding a good place to buy and obviously getting the right wheel for the $$$.

Hopefully, you are successful in your search.

kors-jan

^ Hey, visit the thread for Michigan RX8 Owners. Add your info to the list. Click here.

https://www.rx8club.com/mw-rx-8-forum-31/michigan-rx8-owners-list-2007-a-118227/

Where in Michigan are you located? See from your profile that you are Canadian, eh.

I gotta figure out what I am going to do about my worn OEM tires. Cant' run them much longer and I need to figure out how to drive in the Michigan winter, too. And, I am thinking about new wheels -- maybe white ones -- too.

Thanx for writing, MI_Familyman. Hope to meet ya sometime in Michigan. Kors-jan,

MI_FamilyMan

My tires are probably still good for at least another 12,000 miles. My dilemma is that I now probably have to put my car into winter duty for the first time in three years, so I am faced with either buying a winter tire/wheel package, or buying winters for my stock rims and buying a set of wheels for my summer OEM tires. The latter option is the most appealing if I can raise the funds.

If this is your first winter with the 8, you will understand quickly that you need an alternative to the stock rubber.

I'm in Sterling Heights, BTW. I've been on the forum for a long time, but it's been a while since I've visited the site on a regular basis. Good to see it's still going strong.

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

The advantage of 19's is mostly aesthetic. But you also gain an advantage in steering response since your tire has less flex due to a lower profile.

Some of the disadvantages are usually overall performance and ride quality. Since 19" wheels involve using more metal usually, they increase the amount of unsprung weight. Unsprung weight is very important to performance since about 1lb of unsprung weight affects performance like 10lbs of curb weight. So if a new wheel combo is 5 lbs heavier per corner, the car will perform like it has a 200lb passenger all the time. If you're not concerned greatly about performance, then 19's are a good way to go. Also since the tire of the vehicle is now .5" thinner to compensate for the increased wheel diameter, the tire will absorb less force given off from the road.

I have 19x8.5 +36 in the front with a 19x9.5 +37 rear and I have noticed a small amount of ride quality change but its nothing extreme since the rx-8 rides pretty well for a sports car.

Its not very difficult to find a wheel to fit the RX-8 in 19s but you do need to look into offset and also decide if you want to run staggered (for those who don't know that means to run a wider tire/wheel combo in the rear of the car). If you want to stay the same front and rear then an 8.5 or 9" wide wheel is probably a good choice. Choose an offset of about +35 to +45 and run either a 245/35/19 or a 255/35/19 tire. If you want to run staggered then I would recommend going with either a 8.5 or 9 in the front with a 9.5 or 10 in the back. A good offset to start from would be +40 front and rear since you probably won't have many issues in regard to rubbing. 275/30/19 is a good tire to run for the rear and you'll probably want to use a 245/35/19 up front.

Tire choices are very much also important to the proper fitment of wheels. I run a 275/30/19 rear tire and with the +37 offset, I had to roll my rear fenders since I was slightly rubbing. If you stretch a 265,255,or 245 on the wheel, then there is nothing to worry since it fits with no problem.

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

How much are you willing to spend is a good start and also if you are willing to maybe purchase the wheels and send them out to get coated white. Personally I think the Volk TE37 is a great looking wheel in white but you'll probably spend upwards of $2000 for a full set since it is a very lightweight forged wheel.

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

Minor correction here; stock tires are 225x45x18, and alternate sizing recommended on 18x8 wheels is 245x40x18.

kors-jan

Yeah, I hear ya. That's my dilemma. Two of my OEM tires probably have another 10,000 miles on them. The other two are worn out and I need to replace them. I bought my RX8 this past February, so I had some winter driving experience on the OEM tires. NOT FUN. So what do I do? Do I buy a couple OEM tires (there always are some listed here FS in the forum)? But that doesn't solve my cold/winter problems. I'd like to buy a set of rims and winter tires. But that costs more than I want to spend, which would mean, 2 OEM tires, 4 winter tires, and 4 rims. $$$$$$

I probably will buy 4 all season tires. They will work well in the cold, but I am concerned that AS tires still won't give me the snow traction I want.

Got any thoughts about all this?

maskedferret

iTrader: (1)

My Avon Tech M550 A/S tires held out fine for me this last winter (bought the car in November, even). I drove very cautiously and made it through without hardly ever slipping on the roads; parking lots were sometimes a different story, though (especially spots on inclines).

I am in a similar situation to you; I took off my OEM Potenzas, and they are sitting in my parents' garage at this moment with only 1000 miles on them. I plan on buying a new set of wheels for them. My stipulation, however; is that I want to remain in stock class in autocross. This means that I am looking for lightweight wheels (lighter than OEM at the very least), they MUST be 18x8 and have an offset of no less than +44mm. Ideally the wheels will look pretty on my whitewater pearl as well.

I'm going to be doing my first autocross event ever on these Avon Tech all-season tires... I wonder how well they'll hold.

map

This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks

shaunv74

My advice if you are looking for snow tires is to get a full set of dedicated snow tires on rims. I picked them up from Tire Rack for ~$1200 total mounted and balanced, delivered to my door. They sell sets on 17" rims that work very well. The RX8 really needs dedicated snow tires in snow.

danielk015

iTrader: (1)

I noticed in this thread for 18" inch wheels that maybe a +35 offset might stick out a little.. is that true? That might cause a problem if i decide to lower the car and might not even look that good stock? Should i go for more in the +40-45 range?

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

+35 will only stick out if you run a really wide wheel such as a 9.5" or 10"

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

Volk RE30 comes in 18x8 +44 and its a very sexy wheel!