Stock wheels?

[rainmonkey]

Hi,

Curious, but is there any disadvantage to just using the stock wheels but switching out the tires?

Is there anything particularly 'bad' or 'lacking' with the stock wheels? I know some people switch em for larger ones or because they don't like the look, but aside from that...?

You can still lower the car on stock wheels right?

[BigJyoungblood]

They are kind of heavy, you can find some upto 5+ lbs lighter and unstrung weight is "worth" more than unsprung weight.

[dem00n]

Yeah you can lower the car with stock wheels.

As said above you can get lighter wheels and more "track" oriented wheels that are known for taking more abuse.

So far i haven't heard anyone say not to use them for track use.

When it comes to stock tire though... everyones got an "expert" view on that as well...

[wparsons]

The stock wheels really aren't that heavy, especially for OEM wheels. You can find lots of 17" or 18" wheels that weigh more than the stock wheels, but you can also find a bunch that weigh less.

The RPF1's I picked up are almost 5lbs per corner lighter (20.4 stock, 15.6 for 17x8 RPF1's), but the tires I'm getting weigh a couple lbs more each (dunlop Z2), so my net savings isn't as much.

[Gearhd79]

there is nothing wrong with the stock wheels other than they are "stock". Yes they are a bit on the heavy side compared to Enkei's but as said above, they are not the heaviest. I dont actually find the stock wheeels that bad looking but if i had a choice I might have gone with a different style wheel. I am going to Autocross this season with stock wheels with Dunlop stickey tires.

[rainmonkey]

Hmm, interesting, it's just that if there's nothing terribly wrong with the OEM wheels, why bother changing em and dropping a bunch of cash on it and then getting new rubber too...
at least that's what I'm thinking.

[Vracer111]

Nothing really wrong with the stock wheels, but aftermarket wheels that are noticeably lighter and have a better offset will really work to increase the handling and ride of the FR-S. The suspension (struts mainly) will last longer as well due to the less force acting against it; 20lbs is kind of heavy for a 17x7 wheel. 15-16lbs for a 17x8 wheel will give a much nicer ride (because of less mass trying to react against the suspension and upset the chassis...) and have less wear/tear on components due to less force being applied.


Instead of keeping the stock wheels and upgrading tires (which will add even more weight), I'd rather keep the stock tires and upgrade to lightweight wheels. Once you wear out the stock tires get new, better performing tires...

[rainmonkey]

damn my hesitation from changing wheels are as follows:
1. Which ones?
2. I think I need to do a buttload of research on this 'offset' stuff - no idea what numbers to look for.
3. costs...
4. Advantages/Disadvantages of different radii and width.

[Gearhd79]

i bought a second set of stock wheels ($100.ea) for my sticky tires only because i race in stock class autocross (muct be stock width) and i keep my stock wheels with stock tires the way they are for long trips and daily driving etc.. the stock tires suck for agressive driving but work well for highway and gas milege.

[rainmonkey]

Isnt offset just the amount by which the wheel protrudes from the rest of the car's body?
Assuming the same width, why would wider spaced tires (from the very edge of the left to the very edge of the right) necessarily be better? Just because of a 'wider stance'?

[frz86]

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with the stock wheels other than the size and offset, strictly from an asthethics stand point. I personally went with 18x8 et35 to achieve more of a flushed look without going too aggressive. If you do not want to spend money on a set of wheels now, just wait until your tires wear out and upgrade your wheels/tires then.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by frz86

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with the stock wheels other than the size and offset, strictly from an asthethics stand point. I personally went with 18x8 et35 to achieve more of a flushed look without going too aggressive. If you do not want to spend money on a set of wheels now, just wait until your tires wear out and upgrade your wheels/tires then.

This. I figure that if I want to throw the car around some corners, these are the rims and tires to do so. Then in the future when hopefully I have more power that requires more rubber, I will get wheels and tires then.

[Tt3Sheppard]

I bet the stocks would look good powdercoated white.

[tennisfreak]

I had planned on switching out tires/wheels as soon as I took delivery.

But then I saw that the wheels looked pretty danged good on the whiteout FR-S. That combo looks much better in person than it does in pictures.

If had gotten any other color besides a whiteout FR-S I would have upgraded the wheels and tires immediately. The dealer I picked mine up from had both the Raven and Asphalt colors as well and I did not think the stock wheels went well with those colors.

As it stands now I will wear out the stock tires and then look to upgrade both tires and wheels. I see no sense in wasting money with perfectly good rubber on there already.