I just received my new XXR 502's. Just thought I'd throw a pic of them up, I haven't seen 502's in gold on anyone elses RX-8 on the forum. They are 18x7.5 with 42 offset. As soon as I can get the tires mounted and some decent weather I'll snap a pic of them installed. If anyone else reads this and has the XXR 502 already on their 8 (any color) I'd like to check em out!



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I'm not trying to stir any trouble when I ask this. Why did you go from a 18x8 rim to a 18x7.5 rim?

 

You aren't stirring at all. It's something I thought alot about and looked even longer for. I wanted gold with a polished or chrome lip and I didn't want to spend over $1,000 for the wheels alone and have to buy new tires as well. I also did not want to go staggard so I settled on these because most of the styles I really liked were only 7.5 in width. I'm not tracking or racing the car, the wheels are for the looks/style and after all it's only 1/2 of an inch!

 

Plan on using spacers? By the way where in MO are you?

 

Those are really skinny tires. What size and brand are those?

 

^ that would be a chrome lip around the gold centerpiece....

 

IMO

25mm spacers are the only thing that will make these wheels look good on your ride.

I don't know why some people go with a smaller then stock width unless it's a winter setup. It would have been worth saving up a little more money to get a wheel that you are would truly enjoy.

Each to their own I guess

 

Ha ha ha everyone is so caught up on the 1/2 inch, that is literally " ____ " <-- that much in size difference on the width of the wheel. I mounted my 225 45 18's on it so the same amount of rubber is touching the road. The offset is now 42mm instead of 50mm so as far as what it looks like when mounted doesn't look sunk in any more than the factory wheels did. I got them on the car yesterday but I haven't had the chance to snap a pic of it yet to put up here. I posted the pic to get peoples opinions so I'm not angry by what people think of it but it's just humorous to me how everyone around here is so caught up on that half an inch.

 

I think that many here would find it humorous to buy wheels with the same "sunken" look of the OEM wheels.

You obviously posted here to get feedback, and that's what your getting. It good your not taking it personal.
As long as your happy with your decision that's all that matters

 

I'm with ya, Yea I guess the offset of the factory wheels never bothered me. So you are saying the wheels themselves aren't bad looking it's just that they aren't flush with the fends that you don't like?

 

Okay. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

I think you're missing the point, you just spent extra money to downgrade from stock, I think that's what baffles me and others here more than anything. Sure you might think "well it's only a 1/2 inch" but why spend extra money to buy something worse than stock? You would have been better off buying some spacers and meatier tires for your stockers ((probably could have picked up some springs too if you're not already lowered) and then saving up for something that's truly an upgrade.

It is your ride though, as long as you're happy that's all the really matters. Me personally I waited over 2-3 years before I got the wheels I really wanted, guess some people either can't or don't want to wait that long.

 

it wont make any real difference on the street. everyone keeps saying he has downgraded, but the reality is you wont notice anything significant. i ran a set of 7.5 before, not much difference if you dont race on the track or anything.

but one thing that should be changed are the tires. dont want to crack a rim on a pothole or something, not to mention ride comfort.

just enjoy the wheels.

 

i dont think 1/2 in rim width would justify these wheels as being worse than stock, especially if he is looking for something that looks better [in his opinion] than stock.

 

Because the wheel is not as wide, the tire will bubble more on the edge causing a softer ride on cornering. It's not just looks.

 

I guess this all depends on your opinion of whats being downgraded. EVERYBODY who bought an RX-8 got a set of the 18x8 5 spoke wheels. They are all 1 color, painted gray (unless you got a Shinka), and like I said are very common for RX-8's. I gave up 1/2 an inch wheel width for a completely different style and color of wheel with a chrome lip. Boil down modifying most cars that are driven daily and its because we want our car to be different or to be noticed. Yes there are some who do it for the functionality but I like my car to be seen. And roads aren't the nicest where I live so lowering isn't something I'm interested in doing.


As I showed you a few posts up the wheel width difference is negligible it would really come down to what tires you have, if you have stiff sidewalls like most all low profile Z rated tires there isn't going to be more "bubble" that you could detect while driving. Take the tires you have mounted on your factory 18x8's and mount them on an 18x7.5 there is no way you could tell a difference in the ride or cornering (unless of course the wheels are heavier). And hey, because I've already done it I'll let you know if it handles differently

 

I wouldn't call the wheels a downgrade from stock for someone not looking for maximum performance from their wheel and tire setup. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change the look of your car while keeping close to stock dimensions. Flushness/filling up the fender wells and that sort of thing is all a matter of personal opinion, as to whether it is desired. He wanted to change the look of the wheels, and this will do exactly that with no real negative consequences. While some may think the wheels would look better filling up the fender wells, to others this isn't as big of a concern.

225/45/18 are typically acceptable for wheels 18x7-18x8.5. Clearly, 18x7.5 is within this range thus the tires will perform properly. For street driving, I really don't think there will be any noticeable difference in ride or handling. As far as the "bubble" you speak of, a 225 on a 7.5 should bulge less than a 245 on the stock 8.5, a commonly accepted handling/looking size.

limpbozkit - You may later want to switch it up to some wider wheels and/or lower offset but this will depend if your preference ever develops in that direction. For now, these will suit your needs perfectly Be sure they are either the proper centerbore for our car, or that you have properly sized hubrings before installation!

 

Stocks are 8", but anyway I was merely pointing out that it is not just looks to consider when changing wheel widths, even if it is only 1/2". I'm well aware of tire specs.

 

Crap, I really did mean 8" haha! 245/40 would bulge less on an 8.5 than a 225 would on a 7.5. 225 on 7.5 is about the same as the 245 on 8"

In the end, though, don't you agree that this sort of thing is actually about looks, and won't really have a noticeable change on daily driving?

I guess I just got annoyed by people giving this guy **** for no good reason,

 

Oh, I didn't mean it to come off as me giving him crap, I was trying to say that there is a VERY slight difference is handling as well, although you are right, for a daily driven car he will notice ZERO difference in handling.

 

Shiny!

 

Well here is a pic of them on the car. I love them, looks just as I'd hoped! Yea yea I know I need to wash it and clean the tires...


By lamelama at 2011-03-11

Now, had I never said anything about the width would anyone have ever thought twice about it?

 

Im glad you like them

 

Holy crap! Your sidewall looks HUGE!

 

Ha ha ha I don't know why, they are the factory tire size?