Custom wheels, build your own?

[Ryan...]

I live about 80 miles north of this place, Diamond Racing in Milwaukee WI. I bought some tires today off a civic guy, and he said that he got some custom built steel wheels, 15x9 with his desired offset for $105 a rim. I've been on the lookout for some wide 16" rims, so I'm wondering if you guys could help me out a bit with the ideal offsets needed for 16 rims that are 8.5-9.5" wide? I dont mind having to roll fenders, but I imagine I'd run into rubbing issues up front with a +9" front rim? I know ESM has 9" rims, but I believe spacers are required in the front? If I could avoid spacers that'd be great :)

My car is being lowered 2.5" up front and 1.5" rear with IE race springs and drophats..

http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/drwcustom.html

Thanks in advance!

[einstein57]

There are several pics of guys running these wheels. You will have to cut off the front rattle clip in order to mount them unless you want to run spaces. The rears and easily harbor 16x9 et15 wheels with a minor roll and 215/40/16 tires. The front will vary depending on camber plates etc. But a 16x8 e20 should put you in the ball game. This is my suggestion if you want an aggressive yet easily doable stance. If you want poke thats another story.

[Ryan...]

Im more aiming for functional than anything else. I love wider tires, and I'm planning on some Auto X days this coming spring/summer.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the front rattle clip?

[8380 Labs]

if you're going for functionality, then an 8" wide wheel with some 225s, conservatively spaced will do the trick.

say et25 front and et15 rear.

[Stephen]

its worth noting too that diamond doesnt do odd sizes, so 16x9 is out.

[White325is]

Its not really functional either. You would need to grind the shit out of your front caliper bracket too. You can get something better for the same money.

[Ryan...]

oooo ok, that kinda sucks, I was excited to see how wide one could really go w/o major modifications :(

Guess my search continues!

[einstein57]

Sounds like you were not really after functional then

[Ryan...]

No, I want it to be functional, but what i'm reading more of is that they're also heavier than most 16" rims, and I'll need to make modifications to prevent them from rubbing on stuff. If an 8" rim was just as "functional" as a 9" rim, I'd take the 9" because it'd also look better IMO.

[einstein57]

16x9" wheels are not functional because you have to run a narrow tire or pull the fenders in order to make them fit. Your better off with a 17" wheel beacause of the larger tire selection. But then there is the additional weight. So basically the only functional performance wheel tire combo you can get (for the auto-x enthusiast) is a 15x8" wheel with some 225/45/15's. So you should just grab a cheap set of tirerack C1 wheels and call it a day.

[Ryan...]

I've got 17" Kosei K1s on right now, running 20mm spacers to make them fit. I really dislike how 17s look on the e30. while I want the rims to be functional and sized properly to allow me to run nice sticky tires when I want, I also want them to look nice. My car is driven 95% of the time on the hwy, and it will see AutoX a couple times this spring/summer.

[einstein57]

I hear yah. I think 17's look to big and 15's look to small. Nothing wrong with throwing on some 225/45/16s and calling it good. But you only get like 2 sticky tires to choose from.

[straight6pwr]

your 17" Kosei wheels will look just fine! i'm going up to 17 for 'functionality'. lots of sticky 215 or 235 options, and less sidewall so better response. also, yours are very light so that helps as well.

[Ryan...]

I've already got someone coming to buy them pretty soon :D

They aren't the worst options, but I have my heart set on a specific rim right now.

[xwill112x]

looks like you need more low, and less rims. save your money.