These rims look close to stock?

Hemogoblin · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 03:21 AM

I've been racking my brain trying to find some rims that look "similar" to the stock 18" rims and the best ones I could find, that were not really expensive were the ones below. Just wondering what everyone thinks? They're available in 20" which is the max I want to go. Share your thoughts...

BTW, these rims are replacing the stock 17" I will have on my black on black. I would love to have the OEM 18's but seeing as I would need to buy them, I figured I may as well get a larger wheel if I'm spending the cash anyway, hence the reason for a "stock looking" rim. And I'll be using the 17's for my winter setup.

Cheers

RustedElvis · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 04:01 AM

I'm not for aftermarket wheels but those are pretty nice. I would say those are pretty darn close to the OEM 18s. You would have to take a second look to if you saw someone riding with those on.

timmyjimmy5150 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 09:00 AM

Any way we could get a photoshop picture of these rims on a CTS?
I'd like to see how they look...
Who makes the wheels and price?
TJ

thepiazza · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 09:47 AM

Those are really nice Hemogoblin. They are the closest I've seen to stock and I looked for months. Who makes them?

jjsC6 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 10:29 AM

Are those the new American Racing wheels that have been in some recent magazine ads? I just saw that the other day and had the exact same thought about them looking similar to the factory wheels, and a possible nice looking upgrade.

Thanks for posting.

TSS · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustedElvis

I'm not for aftermarket wheels but those are pretty nice. I would say those are pretty darn close to the OEM 18s. You would have to take a second look to if you saw someone riding with those on.

Absolutely - nice find!

Hemogoblin · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 06:19 PM

They are the American Racing 331 DMP I believe. From a couple websites, they list them as a fit for the 2008 CTS, with sizes in 18, 20, and 22. They are not very expensive and list for just over $200 a piece I think, and the one site listed the four of them, in 20", with rubber, balanced, etc. for about $1600 with free shipping in the US. Not sure if I'm allowed to mention the site so I won't until told otherwise.

But I agree, they look really nice and come in full chrome or a "black chrome" which also looks really good. Seeing as my CTS will be black, I might look into the black chrome....

But if anyone can photoshop these, please do! My skills (and that is a stretch right there) are limited with photoshop so I don't want to be the one who butchers it

Cheers!

Mbai2 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 06:28 PM

I like them a lot. I think they would look great on a CTS. Two things:

1) Width. If you are going to upsize the wheel, manufactures should also make them wider. 8.5" is just not thick enough (that's what she said).

2) Weight is another factor since it is cast alloy but that might be getting too picky.

Other than that, I don't see a problem. 20x8.5 with a +35 offset is pretty much spot on. 5x4.75 bolt pattern is close enough to 120mm to make it fit on the hub.

Hemogoblin · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 07:25 PM

I have to admit, I am absolutely lost with respect to offset and tire sizes when upgrading. The CTS offset is 48mm correct? If these are +35mm, how will that affect the look of the rim? Would it be 13mm out further from the hub or 13mm in closer to the hub?

Also, I don't even know what the stock tire size is for the 18" rims? Anyone know? If I did go with the 20" size, what tire size would I want to keep the speedo working correctly and what not?

The issue with the bolt pattern being slightly different, would that cause any major problems? ie. the vibration issue I've been reading about so much

Thanks!

Mbai2 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemogoblin

I have to admit, I am absolutely lost with respect to offset and tire sizes when upgrading. The CTS offset is 48mm correct? If these are +35mm, how will that affect the look of the rim? Would it be 13mm out further from the hub or 13mm in closer to the hub?

Also, I don't even know what the stock tire size is for the 18" rims? Anyone know? If I did go with the 20" size, what tire size would I want to keep the speedo working correctly and what not?

The issue with the bolt pattern being slightly different, would that cause any major problems? ie. the vibration issue I've been reading about so much

Thanks!

The less positive offset will push the wheels out more but with that width, it won't go beyond the fenders.

The stock tires are 235/50-18 so just keep the radius close to that and you should have no problem. You can also consider up sizing the whole thing to decrease the wheel gap between the fender and tire. Use http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to calculate the diameter.

The bolt pattern might cause it to be slightly off center on the hub and cause vibration. Just tighten the bolts in a star pattern to center it and use a hubcentric ring for more insurance.

Hemogoblin · #11 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 09:01 PM

Thanks for that, I just did a quick search on hub centric rings and it lists that I'll need to know the CTS's hub size diameter? Any idea what size it is? I'll also need the measurement from American Racing, and I'll get that number from them directly.

Thanks again!

Hemogoblin · #12 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 11:28 PM

Man, this is just driving me crazy! In looking around the web for more ideas, I have now spotted the rims I might consider getting..... I know, I know....

They are TSW Estoril and they come in the 5x120mm bolt pattern, and come in 18, 19, 20, + sizes. A lot of variety and I love the way they look. They also come in the hyper black colour which is starting to grow on me. My CTS is black on black, and despite a lot of peoples opinions, I think it looks really nice when the rims are darker (yes, it depends on the car, the rim, etc). I just don't know if I'm into the whole chrome thing anymore. It's weird but having lived overseas now for the last few years, many (read: most) cars are NOT sold with chrome rims. Seems that we in North America just can't let go. ANyway, I haven't yet decided which I'll go with but despite what I just said, I do love the chrome ones as well....

What do you guys think of these?

Cheers

synergy408 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-13-08, 11:50 PM

I think the TSW's look better without the rivets as in the original. I wonder if you could get them in polish (not chrome) to reduce the "bling factor" a bit? Secondly, can you run a staggered setup with nice rear lip but minimal front lip? If so, that would be ideal!

Hemogoblin · #14 (**permalink**) 05-14-08, 12:31 AM

From what I've seen, they are only available in hyper black or chrome; no polished option. I was considering the staggered setup but I don't think I want the rears too wide. I had several muscle cars in the past and loved in on those, but for this ride, I'm just not sure. Worst case scenario, I'm going to buy the 20 x 8.5 in hyper black, run them for a while and if I get bored with them, I'll just sell them and get something else. I'm out of the country a lot so I don't even get to drive my cars very much, so for the time being, and for the price, I'll settle for the black ones I think.

Here is a bad photoshop of the black TSW's on a members CTS. Sorry to whoever owns this ride; I hope you don't mind me using the pic. It's a beautiful ride, and much like my own. Thanks for the pic

synergy408 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-08, 01:11 AM

The hyper black looks good actually....might also look good on my Thuder Grey as well since they are somewhat charcoal looking. Worst case, I will have them polished....does anyone think you can get 20X10 in the rear if I plan to lower the car 1.4"???