Actually, I don't think these would have fit even if I had used the exact same stock size and offset.

With the size and offset that I ordered (18.5 x 18, 43 offset), I should actually be clearing the inside strut by 1mm MORE than stock....but they are still hitting the brake calipers.

Rob,

The SSRs come in different spoke configurations, I think you ordered the wrong one...

The place I ordered from never said anything about "different spoke configurations". I never read anywhere, including here, about "different spoke configurations". How can I order "the wrong one" if I am not given the option(s)?

They knew what car it these were going on, and they told me these would work. They don't. I am not happy.

Still considering my options. I don't like the idea of having spacers, even if they are only 5mm.

As far as these "spoke configurations", what are they? All the pics I have seen look identical.

By the way, cortc, it looks like your offset is less than mine. In fact, you will clear the inside 3mm LESS than stock, so I hope you are right about the spoke configuration.

Having 19's will probably be an advantage too.

This thread is worthless without pics! :p J/K... cant wait to see... :D

Jesus how long have you guys been waiting i forgot about this thread i wanted to see them on cortc's car.

The SSRs can be ordered with both custom lip depths and spoke offsets besides the standard wheel offsets and 19s offer a bit more spoke clearence near the outside of the wheel:

SUPER LOW DISK,NORMAL DISK 5/98～5/130,4/98～4/114.4 MEDIUM DISK,HYPER DISK 5/98～5/130

I had mine completely custom made, hence the long wait... I also did my own research and gave the exact specs I wanted to the vendor so that they could not get things wrong and last I had SSR check things over for fitment...

I agree with you Rob, I do not like spacers; thay are a PITA...

Thanks cortc-

They screwed up alright. I have the "Super Low Disc", which was undoubtedly the worst choice.

I am currently having custom made spacers made at 6mm. Frankly, we still don't know if that will work. It looks to me like the wheel will still hit on the inside, which is where the 19's would be an advantage.

The only other possiblity after that would be to take a grinder to the brake caliper itself. What are the potential problems with doing that (besides death)?

Well, I got them on with the spacers. Still a little upset that I have to use spacers, but at least they are working and are on the car!

The rims in SBC look really cool I must say. Unfortunately it is pooring rain in So Cal right now, so it might be a couple days before I post pics.

One thing I really don't like is the fact that these SSR's dont come with Center Caps. I think it would look much better with the caps.

Anyone have any idea how to get Center Caps for these??

Rob,

When your vendor ordered the wheels he was supposed to specify if you wanted caps... Call them and have them get you some...

Post pics soon...:)

Ok, here is the link to some pics of my SSR Professor's in SBC:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...212#post680212

Well an update, looks like I may be getting HRE 545 wheels instead... If the SSR wheels are not here tomorrow than I get the HREs at cost... They will be painted black and the same size, drilled special to hold TPMS sensors and the front offset will be 45...

The saga...

Hre...
 

Some pics...

What the hell happened?

I would be beyond pissed..........

Rob,

It is a long and sad story and I am very pissed off about it, I will know tomorrow if it will be the SSRs or HREs... The good news is I spoke directly with John at HRE and I will have them in 4 weeks, he will also confirm my order directly and ship to me directly as well...

These are more than the SSRs but chances are I won't be running into to many other RX8s with them...

I hope you can share the full story when you get it all straightened out.

My transaction with the vendor out here went very smooth for the professors (except of course for the fact they ordered the wrong spoke configuration resulting in me having to use spacers).

I got my wheels in 9 weeks from the date I ordered them.

Ok, looks like it is going to be the HRE wheels; it is funny that those were my first choice to begin with even before I had the Axis Hiro's... Order went in with HRE today, so it's 4-5 weeks according to John from HRE, hopefully this will end some time in March...

I will keep you all posted...

So what in the world was the story with the SSR's???

The HRE's are nice too, but I preferred the Professor's.

Rob,

You know the answer on that is not clear but it turns out that it may have been several things... Tire Rack going in and buying most of the production, SSR screwing up orders, the order going in screwed up and not being handled correctly, etc... The SSRs are nice and also alot cheaper than the HREs, but in the end they are very nice wheels (Exclusive...), strong and look similar (I am a big fan of 5 spoke clean wheels...) so be it... And being an American company I have direct access to them from the moment my order goes in, they are small enough that you can call up and ask about the order your vendor put in for you and they say "Oh, yeah those are being painted today; should be ready to ship in about a week..."

cortc

Cortc,

Congrats on the HRE's! I actually get my set of HRE 18" 447R wheels tommorow morning via. UPS. HRE makes the best wheels on the market, and they are super pimp status at car shows. I'm sorry what you had to go through with the SSR's, but these wheels will make up for that.

BMW Man,

Thanks, it has been painfull to say the least... Post some pics of yours when you get them, I would like to see them... And you are right, they should get lots of kudos at the shows and everywhere else for that matter...:)

I'm thinking it had to be mostly the Vendors fault. I just don't understand how something could get screwed up that bad! Like I said, my order went very smoothly, and I ordered them well after you ordered yours, so I don't know that Tire Rack would have had anything to do with it.....especially since I don't believe that they even carry the size that you ordered.

Anyway, I assume that the "payback" you got from the vendor for this huge mess was getting the HRE's at cost?

"cost" is still more than the SSR's though. My HRE's were $1,201 a wheel and I got them for $865 per wheel. I would think they are making a 60% profit on $1,201 per wheel in my matter, so I got about 30% off.

$1200 per wheel is where I would have to draw the line!

:eek: