I've had some performance work done on my S (15% pulley, GIAC chip, Alta CAI, Milltek cat-back and an Helix RDR adjustable rear sway bar), and now its time for the wheels and tires.

I've talked to Alex at Tire Rack, read the "Show Me Your Wheels" thread (several times), read other threads, and have looked at literally 100s of pictures. I've already made some decisions - I want silver 17 x 7 or 7.5 wheels and intend to use either Goodyear GS-D3s, Kumho MXs, or Toyo T1-Ss, depending largely on which wheels I get and from where. I want to control costs to some extent, so I'm considering ASA AR-1s, BBS RKs (a little beyond my arbitrary price limit of $200 per wheel), Kazera KZ-Vs, Kosei K1-TSs, Centerline Storms and Flik Fuels. I want to go as light as I reasonably can, but the car is used by my wife as a daily driver, and in all the posts I've read, I've found very little info on the durability of various wheels, either in the abstract or as a function of weight. I had a Mitsubishi VR4 some years ago and put beautiful OZ three piece rims on it, and in one evening in New York City I bent two of them and dented a third when I hit a succession of nasty potholes - so I'm more than a bit concerned about buying light rims that will damage easily. (I live in s/w Connecticut and plan to put the S-Heavies and run hards on for the winter months).

I can handle the aesthetic issues for myself, but does anybody who's actually used any of the above rims have any advice about the weight and durability issues?

T.I.A.

Chris Burdett

 

There really isn't any wheel that is pothole-proof..
No matter how strong your wheel is, it will still bend with bad luck.
go for the one you like.
As for Toyo T1-S they are notorious for having a soft sidewall.. it will ride more comfortably, but it can cause damage to your wheels when a stiffer sidewalled tire won't.

 

That 200 per wheel budget, is that tire AND wheel or just wheel and you have another budget for the tires?

 

Considering the tires and wheels listed... they're budgeted separately.:smile:

 

Carnac is correct

 

BBS or Centerline IMO

Best quality tire that you can buy. The worst thing you can do is buy some great looking wheels with some crappy tires

 

I followed much the same logic as you are. Lightest wheels I could muster with tires mounted at the same time and shipped ready to throw on the car.

I ended up with 17 x 7.5 SSR Comps shod w/ GSD3's. Purchased from Alex@TireRack and I couldn't be happier.

Of the wheels you mentioned, the Kosei K1-TS and BBS RK were also on my short list. Centerlines are also very nice.

My advice is to pick what you really like the best and get it. If you need to wait a little longer to justify the expense, then wait a little longer. But you don't want to look back on the decision and wish you'd spent just a few more dollars.

(It's easy to see how I ended up with the SSR's huh? )

As far as durability, I have friends who've used Kosei K1's as track wheels with great success, but they're not subjected to many potholes at the track. BBS is obviously making strong wheels. I went with 215/45/17's to provide a measure of protection for mine.