I went to California Wheels today to check out some of the wheels for my 8 and I told him that I want a clean wheel, something with a lip and something that will look good. He pointed out the Zenetti Stella. It's a clean looking wheel, 5 spoke so I asked him to quote me out a price with tires.

Front: 8.5 19" Zenetti Stella's with 245/35/19 tires
Rear: 9.5 19" Zenetti Stella's with 275/30/19 tires

Price was $2500, or if I could go with cash, $2300. That's mounted, balanced, installed, lug nuts, wheel locks, everything.

Although you can't really tell much, this is what I took with my camera phone today. The wheel in the picture is a 20" though, so take an inch off.

Second thing, will 245 and 275 be fine or will I have rubbing and problems?

P.S. Yeh, my girl doesn't look too excited lol.

 

Thats probably a good deal for wheels and tires, mounted and balanced. I'm not sure about the name though. You'll be ok with the size, but be careful with the offset.

 

After talking to Moostafa for a while, he was telling me how much the chrome wheels and staggered setup will take away basically a lot of the performance part of the car.

What I want is just something that will look nice, and then every now and then when someone wants to just play around, I won't have to worry about my wheels affecting the power. Moostafa was telling me about how since chrome is heavy and our cars don't really have that much torque and then adding a staggered setup, it's really going to be a difference.

So I'm opening it up, looking for 19" wheels that look good, basically a clean look, would like to be chrome type finish if not, then something silver. For example, I'm really liking the TSW Thruxtons, absolutly LOVE the fat lip on them, but do they come in any kind of difference finishes other than titanium? What other wheels are there out there?

 

search is your best friend. there are so many different style of wheels out there.

 

nah, you will be okay
that'd be very close to the factory overall diameter

dont worry, she will get over it soon :D
buy her a bunch of flowers mate

 

Because she just realized you're about to drop 2300 on your car, and she'll be lucky if you have enough left over to take her out to lunch!

Have a T-Shirt made up for her "My boyfriend bought an RX-8, and all I got was this lousy T-Shirt"

:D

 

I have chrome and I haven't noticed negative effect in my performance.

 

What size? Staggered?

 

I staggerd my wheel setup. I like the look of it. I like it for cruising around town. It might take away from performance alittle, but Im not street racing or autocroosing with them. When I want to use my car on the track or autocross, I just use the old rims with some good performance rubber. I paid $1800 shipped for my 19" Axis Hiros with Hankook Ventus 235/35 in front and 265/30 in rear.

 

18 x 8.5 all around

 

chrome wheels have a tendency to be a bit heavier than painted wheels (there are some that are pretty light too though) which is probably why there might be some negative impacts on performance, especially if you buy some leadweights for wheels (like 20" cast that way like 35lbs a wheel etc.), the lighter you can go the better but I won't start that whole thing again :D

 

Thanks guys, I really like these wheels that he showed me. I did a search and here are 19's on a Benz that I found.

Really like these wheels, but I'm just scared of losing a lot of performance. What are your thoughts on the wheels?

 

I dont like those wheels personally, but its not up to me. If you like them go for it. If you want to keep performance dont go 20's stick with 18's. I dont notice a big difference in performance with 19's. Bottom line do you want it to look good or do you want the performance? I know it would be nice to have both, but like I said keep your stock wheels for racing and what not.

 

Yeh that's what I want, both looking good and a not a loss in performance, any wheels out there that will give me that? lol I've done searches, and I like the TSW Thruxtons or whatever they are called, but if they came in different colors, like a silver, that'd be great.

 

The TSW Thruxtons don't come in silver? Thats a little hard to swallow, as must rims come in silver, and offer other colors as options. But hey, I don't know everything, so I could be wrong.

 

I went to Auto RnD today to check out some rims. Didn't really like any of the ones I saw at the place, but I liked two wheels from a company called AME. I tried to look up information on them, but I couldn't find anything. The wheels are AME Shallen CX and AME Circlar Spec-R. Both of these wheels I absolutly love, but I cannot find any information or price on them.

 

If you need the bling, then go for the Stern ST2's that you wanted in 20"s but in 18" x 8.5" with some 245/40/18's (Toyo T1R's are actually 3 lbs. lighter than the stock Bridgestone RE040's). Unless you are FI'ed no reason to go staggered, and it will actually affect your handling negatively. If you have lowered your car more than 1" than a 245 & 275 setup in 19" will rub. I have the RB springs (about a .5" drop) and I have no issues.

 

Ame is a new brand. I've went to autornd recently, and I really like the way they looked. I believe they are sold exclusively thru autornd. Could be wrong. As long the wheel is forged you have a high quality wheel. Ultimately it's about your price range don't forget about tires too. If I didn't have my comps, I would definetly try to pick up some work wheels. Stylish yet light.

 

why the change ?,Zenetti makes a great wheel
and plus those wheels look great,similar to a foose design.
either way good luck on your new choice

 

I'm just scared of losing a lot of performance and speed with the Zenetti wheels.