Stop, Drop and Roll

[ZeroChalk]

Over the last few weeks (which seems more like months) I\'ve been contemplating whether or not to drop my car and super-size my rims to 18\'s. I\'m not too fond of the slammed look (or suped up / racer look) nor do I want to deal with the hassles of worrying about scraping my car or changing my shocks. Yet I still want to look unique from the gazillion Mazda 3\'s rolling around the neighbourhood.

So after looking at a different number of setups I was wondering if anyone just changed the OEM\'s to wider 17\" rims while maintaining the stock suspension. Some times when I look at my car, I like the way it looks. The wheel gap doesn\'t bother me so much as in other cars. But I\'ve also seen people go with 18\" rims (see Redraptor RX8) with no drop and it looks good - judging by the pictures. Again, it\'s really hard to say unless I see it first hand. Factor in all those threads of the negatives of 18\" - generally slower acceleration, bumpier, etc. I\'m stuck.

To summarize: I want equal or biggers rims; I know which rim I want; I have a prokit ordered; I don\'t want to drop anymore; I don\'t want to make the mistake of buying 17\'s only to wish I had 18\'s; I\'m so confused...

Please advise. Thanks

[majic]

Originally posted by ZeroChalk

Yet I still want to look unique from the gazillion Mazda 3\'s rolling around the neighbourhood.


SPINNERS!!!! :D


Originally posted by ZeroChalk
I\'m so confused...

Please advise. Thanks


i think you may have wanted to log in at DearAbby.com (www.dearabby.com) ;)

[DrunknFoo]

After you drop the car, the stock 17\"s look like their 16\" for some odd reason. (at least that\'s what I think). I would recommend you go with some 18\"s with a drop. :)

[bluntman]

My summer rims are 17x7 and I haven\'t dropped my car at all. I like how it looks, in summer mode, and don\'t mind the gap at all. I\'m with Foo, if I were to go with 18\" rims I would definitely want to drop the car a little bit, but that also leads to more problems. Problems like new shocks, springs and a camber kit. However, for some reason the RX8 rims on RedRaptor\'s car make it seem that his suspension was lowered.

One word of advice, don\'t get aftermarket rims with a polished lip. They make your rim and tire combination seem smaller than their actual diameter ( 17\" rim will look like a 16\" rim).

[ZeroChalk]

Originally posted by majic



Originally posted by ZeroChalk

Yet I still want to look unique from the gazillion Mazda 3\'s rolling around the neighbourhood.


SPINNERS!!!! :D


Originally posted by ZeroChalk
I\'m so confused...

Please advise. Thanks


i think you may have wanted to log in at DearAbby.com (www.dearabby.com) ;)

Do you think she can really help my dilemma?

I think spinners are so last year. I want the rims that create magical pictures with LEDs!

Hey man, how did your calipers turn out after the winter?

[majic]

Originally posted by ZeroChalk

Hey man, how did your calipers turn out after the winter?

i couldn\'t be more happy with the job i did *pats self on the back* :D .. they are as clean and vibrant as they were when i first applied the paint (of course after i took care of all the brake dust)

AFAIK no chips or nothing.. i guess it pays off to take time and prep the surface quite thoroughly.. i\'ll take some pix in 2-3K when i get my rear brake pads changed

[SABIO]

Originally posted by bluntman



One word of advice, don\'t get aftermarket rims with a polished lip. They make your rim and tire combination seem smaller than their actual diameter ( 17\" rim will look like a 16\" rim).

That is one of the reasons I actually like the Polished Lip. The car dosen\'t look like you have Huge 18\" wheels on the car. But you still get the Benefits of shorter sidewall and wider tire.

[majic]

Originally posted by SABIO



Originally posted by bluntman



One word of advice, don\'t get aftermarket rims with a polished lip. They make your rim and tire combination seem smaller than their actual diameter ( 17\" rim will look like a 16\" rim).

That is one of the reasons I actually like the Polished Lip. The car dosen\'t look like you have Huge 18\" wheels on the car. But you still get the Benefits of shorter sidewall and wider tire.

if by benefits you mean increased acceleration and braking times then HELLZ YAH!!!

[ZeroChalk]

hmm...Bluntman do you have any pictures of your summer wheels. Did a quick search most of your posts, aside from a link which is banned from work, I didn\'t see anything.

The rim I have in mind doesn\'t have a polished lip, not in to that... spokes go out to the edge of the rim so it shouldn\'t look small.

[Broli]

lips are hawt!
but it is a personal preference thing!

lips and rivets!
oh yeah!!
soooo sexy!

edit: i am on prokits
18x7.5 offset is 42
tires 225 40 18
i do have some rubbing in the back
but that is with my system and 3 people in the back
there is some rubbing of the wheel in the front
only when turned all the way
(notice it when backing up and going slow) don\'t think it is a big deal!
it is bumpier!
but it looks good, and it feels good!

[SABIO]

Originally posted by majic



Originally posted by SABIO



Originally posted by bluntman



One word of advice, don\'t get aftermarket rims with a polished lip. They make your rim and tire combination seem smaller than their actual diameter ( 17\" rim will look like a 16\" rim).

That is one of the reasons I actually like the Polished Lip. The car dosen\'t look like you have Huge 18\" wheels on the car. But you still get the Benefits of shorter sidewall and wider tire.

if by benefits you mean increased acceleration and braking times then HELLZ YAH!!!


NO... I said the *Benefits of a Shorter Sidewall and wider tire. I didn\'t say anything about 18\" rims.

Stiffer tire. More responsive Wider tire...Better traction

[majic]

Originally posted by SABIO

NO... I said the *Benefits of a Shorter Sidewall and wider tire. I didn\'t say anything about 18\" rims.



lol.. whoops.. misread the previous post ;)

[RedRaptor]

To be honest I don\'t know why 9/10 people who have seen my car in person have asked if the car is lowered. But for some reason the RX8 rims make the 3 look lowered. :hoho

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5932/notl018om.jpg

[MazdaTree]

Hey Rob looks lower than last pics you posted....

Looks like you dont have to get that drop anymore.:)