Looking to purchase new rims

[TKDDAD]

Just wondering if anyone here has a good experience purchasing new rims for their vehicle...I am looking to buy new rims for my 2005 Black Sonata to dress it up a little...don't want to spend a ton but I thought I'd see what this group thinks about where to get them, and more importantly what to stay away from.....thanks for any feedback...

[WaspHunter]

I guess the first question you need to answer is: what are you looking for in a set?


She wears: Prodrive PWRC1 18x7.5" in Crystal Titanium

My answer was something that stood out without being too 'in your face'. Originally planned on 17"s but I liked the lower profile so much I upgraded.

One thing I found in my research was that as far as weight saving goes with my car (and probably with most performance-oriented vehicles), you won't be able to find many cast items that are lighter. If you want performance you'll need to be looking for forged items.

Size: Make sure you check local regs on size restrictions. Down under you're allowed to go +2" diameter without need for an engineering certificate. Check that the rim your looking at is sold at an acceptable offset and if it increases track width (lower offset, wider rim, or even same offset wider rim) make sure you won't foul the guards under travel.

I use this place to check dimensional changes. It lists all the important factors such as changes in track width (edge to edge distance from front on) and rolling diameter (which affects speedometer calibration and guard clearance) :
Wheel and Tyre Size Calculator

Tyres: General rule is that a bigger diameter rim needs a smaller profile tyre. You do this to try and keep the speedo calibration correct and it will also improve performance to some degree. Lower profile == costlier tyre. New stock 205/50R16 Michelins would set me back maybe $250 a piece. New 225/40R18 Michelins retail for $488. The difference between the 17" PWRC1 and 18" version is a mere $50 p.w. Rubber is your limiting factor here in terms of budget.

Lastly, after considering everyone elses advice (friends, forumers, family, sales people), make your own choice and make it something you can live with. I guess that applies to everything you do, but I personally believe - more so than body mods, stereo and interior, and performance upgrades - that the wheels you choose to put on your car are the most important factor in determining the personality of the car. But that's just me. Hope I helped.

[Michael Stoops]

Google for edgeracing (I don't think we're supposed to post actual links here). I've had great luck with them and they have terrific prices on some tire/wheel packages. I bought a set of Flik Fuel wheels in bronze with a polished lip for my dark metallic green Miata and love them. Your black Sonata would look good sitting on black wheels with a polished lip, and you can get packages from Edge from around $700 depending on sizes, tires, etc. They have some good reviews on the tires as well.

TireRack is another great source and they even have an online application that lets you see how various wheels look on your car.

From either place, once you order they mount, balance, etc and ship them to you. You just dismount your old wheels and mount up the new ones. Keep the factory set for winter use, or sell them on ebay.