So it's time for new tires for my 09 MC S and i wanted a summer set and winter set. I found a set of rims and was ready to order them, but now i read something about Hub-centric and off set, and i want to know, What specs. must the rim have in order to be the right rim? I was gunna get 17 or 18" but other than the style is there any difference especially if i might change the brakes or drop the car. And i'm thinking of not using run flats for $$$ purposes...any one have some insight. I got 3 flats and loved that i could get home and to the dealer with no worries.

 

Hub Centric Rings just assure that the wheel is on the hub perfectly so that it's a solid fit and a great ride. You don't always need them.

If you are going 17" or 18", your stock brakes will fit, sometimes if you have a big brake kit or something you may need to accommodate your wheel size. 18" should fit most, if not all, kits.

If you've had 3 flats, maybe you want runflats. I just ordered 18" rims and tires with non runflats, but I've never had a flat in over 5 years. The performance seems to be better than the heavy run flats.

You can play around with tires, offsets and other wheel information in this comparison tool http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp that might help you out