I've been doing some wheel shopping. I'm looking at getting gloss black Stern ST-1. Size is either 18x8.5 to 18x9 depending on what they can get in stock. I'm going to pair them with Nitto 555 235/40/18. Not sure of the offset with the 18s.

They have 19"s in stock, I just have to make a judgement call of what I want to do and what I can afford. If I go with the 19" it will be a staggered set up:

Front: 19x8.5, 38mm offset
Rear: 19x9, 48mm offset

The 18s weigh 22 lbs.
The 19s weigh 26 lbs.

I'll try to find a better pic, the only one I found is grainy and is animated to show both colors...

Apperently it's super hard to find the gloss black ST-1's right now. There won't be any more available till March (which is OK, if I wait till then I can just pay cash for it all). My question, is: anyone heard anything goood or bad about these? I'm doing a google search on them, but I'd trust a forum member more I think.

Found the pic of the ST-1

 

They are relitively new to the market. I just got a set of the ST2's. Another poster on the board has them as well. From what I can see of mine, they are very well made. Chrome finish on mine are very good. I have the 19" X 8.5" front & 19" x 19 X 9.5" in the back.

If you are going with the 8.5" or 9" you may as well go with 245's. They will give you better traction, and several posters already have them on their stock 8" rims.

 

The guy at V&T was concerned about them rubbing when I drop the car later on, what are your thoughts fanman?

 

those rims are low cost rims and heavy as f!#k the 18's weigh 27 to 30 depending on the with of the wheel and the 19's wheigh from 29 to 34 lbs. also dependiing on the widht of the wheel. You may ask how do i know this? because i contacted the company derectly and told them i needed the exact weight for racing pourposes and that's the info they sent me on an email. Sorry for the bad news.

 

I have Racing Beat springs on my car so I have it dropped about a 1/2" I went with 265's in the back & 235's in the front. I was originally going to go with 245's in the front & 275's in the back, but was told it would rub unless I roll the fenders.

I personally like them. I'm not super concerned with weight as I don't plan to autocross my car too much. It's more for appearance (the rims). Also I refuse to pay $600+ for a rim (I liked the SSR GT3 rims too) & then have to chrome them. I already have 18" stock on mine now (chromed), so I would have just kept them. The stock rims is like 24 lbs. already, a few extra lbs. to me doesn't really matter. If you are racing or autocrossing, these might not be the best option for you. The SSR GT3 in 8.5" X 19" are still like 26.5 lbs. so a few more pounds (not to mention the savings in my wallet) doesn't hurt too bad. I got the Toyo T1S tires which are a few lbs. lighter than the stock RE 040's, so hopefully that makes up for some of the weight increase. Might get the Kyokugen lugs later down the line.

 

 

I want the ST2s chrome like FanMan.

 

uhm, I was at V&T, I picked up the 18's, they felt like about 20-22, they certainly didn't feel like 27-30. But I'll have the shop re weigh them.

I called Sterns (actually the company is Golden Apple), a local distributer and a couple of shops, they all said the Stern ST1's weighed what I said. You sure you're thinking about the same rims?

I found a pic of the five bolt 19's on eBay in case anyone wants a better image:

http://members.***.net/snafe5/ST1BLACKONE.JPG

Just to verify, I sent another email to marketing@sternwheels.com I guess I'll wait to hear what they say. Thanks for the ehads up, and no offense, I hope you're wrong. Cause I love these wheels.

 

OK, just got a response, man that was quick.

18: 25lbs
19: 28lbs

Only about a half pound or so difference between x8.5 and x9

WTF!? I wish they'd make up their damned minds. I'll have to call V&T and see what the deal is. Guess I'm going wheel hunting again. Even if I don't find lighter ones, I have to stay in that price range (1400 installed). Wife would kill me if I went over that. And the stock rims weigh 26, so that's not bad. Damn damn damn.

 

I will tell you that you have to be careful about the offsets. I was going to buy a set off one of the vendor on Ebay, but luckily I hooked up with www.need4speedmotors.com. They hooked me up with a great price & got me the right offsets (38 mm in the front & 35 mm in the back). The ones on ebay were quite a bit farther out & would have had to roll the fenders.

 

yeah, that's why he had the read offset at 48 with the 9.5's. I guess I'm still shopping. Anyone know of any other wheels/tire packages in the 1400-1600 (with nitto 555s) that are under OEM wheel weight and are gloss black?

I saw some by ICW for $1200, but they looked cheap, plus they're overused by civics and I'm not sure of the weight, around 20-22 I think. Tried tirerack as well, they said they couldn't help me until late june...

 

I got Sterns wheels and I can tell you this, I love the way they look in the car. About the weight, I'm not too concerned about it and I don't hear my car complaining about it either :D :D :D

RX8Power

 

i heard 31lbs for 19x9.5

damn fine lookin wheels tho

 

Oh screw it. I like how they look, and while they're new I won't be using them for auto-x. Not going to risk chipping them. I'm going to go with the sterns. those things are beautiful.

I will keep it at 18" so as to keep the weight under 30.

**I have to qualify that if I do find something better between now and march (delivery date of the ST-1's) I'll probably switch, but if not, ST-1's it is.

 

Cool labop. Can't wait to see these on your 8. Good luck!!

- Irish

 

thanks irish, I can't wait...

I was talking about it with Lissa (my wife) last night. She agrees that since they are new wheels, we won't be using them for auto-x, so who cares about weight? When the nice wheels are on the car, chances are that it's going to a car show. So we're going with the sterns! yaay! still have to wait a month for them to be made/delivered. damn back order.

I still need to decide if I'm keeping the OEM wheels/tires. A friend already offered $500 for them. That would take a nice chunk off the cost of new rims. Heck, with that I could probably go with Bridgestone RE750's instead of the nitto 555's. But if I keep the OEM stuff, I could use those for auto-x.

decisions, decisions...

 

Man RX8 Power, I'm not much of a fan of chrome rims on the 8 , but I have to admitt that your car looks sweet with those Stern wheels. I have the Silver also, but without the appearance package. I might consider getting those rims for my 8. Don't worry, I'm in California so your car will still be one of a kind there.

 

Hey wait a second I'm in California, damn you ! :D

 

You've got to be kidding me. Well, you're in Glendale and I'm in San Jose, so your car will be one of a kind there as well, as long as I keep my vacation trips to Southern Cali to a minimum. Now if someone else posts they have it in San Jose too then damnit, I'll find something else!

 

Fanman,

Hey man, go ahead and get the wheels, I bet you won't regret it. Trust me, they look way better in person.

RX8Power

 

Thanks man, I actually already got them, along with a set of Toyo T1S tires. I am just waiting to get my car back from my mechanic (had a bunch of parts put in & dynoing). I'm still worried about the TPMS stuff though.

 

Hey fanman, I've seen the pics of rx8power's ride, how bout showin' us a pic of your ride? By the way, just ordered the wheels in 18's from need4sports, and I bought the Tein H springs. Were you guys able to place TPMS on your sterns?

 

I'll take some pictures of my car at the So. Cal meet this weekend. No the TPMS will not work on our Sterns Oh well, time to find some black tape, and see if my mechanic can disconnect this crap system.

 

The rep I talked to said that the TPMS will work on the sterns?

 

Did not on mine. The TPMS was not flush with the rim, so it would stick up inside the tire. Much more chance of breaking in that position. I was there when they were trying to make it fit inside my Stern rim.