Rims-an info thread

[XanderWiFi]

So I was searching for information on rims and what would be good to know when buying a set on the site, but I was not able to come across anything. I do know that our vehicles are designed for a certain size and when you go outside of this range "spacers" (I think they're called that) are needed to keep from confusing the car's speedometer, computer, etc.

So I was wondering, for example: I buy a new set of 18" rims for my 2004. What do I need to know? What are the best tires to put on? Can a goodyear put them in or would a customs shop need to do it? Essentially, what are the steps required in the acquisition of rims so they work properly on the vehicle?

I post to tap your guys' knowledge not only for myself, but also so the next noob that comes along can easily pick out the thread with proper info and subject line.

[kwhauck]

you'd be looking for an 18x7.5rim with a 35-42 offset preferrably. And if you put the right size tires on you won't have a problem with you speedometer.

The spacers you are talking about space the wheel out, towards the edge of the fender. But this does nothing but cosmetics and won't effect the car's computer or speedometer.

1010tires.com has a bunch of great calculators with offset calculators, tire size calculators and everything else you need to make sure the rims and tires you buy fit correctly.

Yes, any goodyear place can install a set of rims and tires.....

[a4d2a0m]

I would check out tirerack.com

I got mine from there.. They will only give you the right rims for your car. and a good price on packages.

Not sure how far away you are but there is a distribution centre in louisiana, maybe you can pick them up?..

[kwhauck]

They also short you on a lot of rims that we know fit. I had to sign a waiver saying they weren't responsible if my rims didn't fit. But i knew they would. I think they had them listed under Infiniti g35 rims....

[Cliff8928]

I just did away with that waiver stuff by telling them I had a Acura TL when I ordered my tires for the Alero.. Or a S2000 for the ones on the Beretta.

[XanderWiFi]

Our stock rims are 15" but is there a vast difference between that an 18" rims as far as looks or will people really hardly notice? I have no desire to go down the street looking like I am "big ballin" or something. 17" seems to be the happy medium but i was hoping for some pics on our cars for better comparison. New rims and tires are the next step.

[TdotAlero]

There will be a huuuge difference between 18 and 15. Mainly since now you will have to put on what's called "low-profile" tires. These tires are very skinny and wil bring out your rim a lot.
Honestly there usually is a slight difference in the cost when it comes to deciding between 17 and 18, but 18 looks much better. And if you go with the right design, you will not be "big ballin".
Here, a pic of my Alero with 18" alluminium rims and Michelin low profile tires (245/45/18 - Michelin Pilot).

8606

[XanderWiFi]

I love it. 18s it is then-thanks

[Malibu369258]

Here, a pic of my Alero with 18" alluminium rims and Michelin low profile tires (245/45/18 - Michelin Pilot).

That has to be at least a 5% difference to the stock wheel diameter, if you really are on a tire with an aspect ratio of 45 with 18's...

I'm running a 235/45/17. Here's my 17" OZ Racing Superleggera.

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr137/mackey1290/100_1767.jpg

[XanderWiFi]

[QUOTE=Malibu369258;531790]That has to be at least a 5% difference to the stock wheel diameter, if you really are on a tire with an aspect ratio of 45 with 18's...



I have no idea what you're talking about with that and it scares me lol.

I'm really liking these-hopefully the link works.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=V41871340C&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&wIndex=64&grid=true&sw=1280

[Alerojester]

those rims look good

[XanderWiFi]

These are interesting too. My car is white...I'm worried about having too much white and silver and not enough dark colors to blend it properly. I'm interested to hear what you guys think on it.

Remember: i have the arctic white color scheme.

1. http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=BR588515B4279BML&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&wIndex=15&grid=true&sw=1280

2. http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=BR588515S4279BS&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&wIndex=16&grid=true&sw=1280

3. http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=V41871340C&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&wIndex=64&grid=true&sw=1280



I personally like #3 the most so far...And is there a major difference between silver with machined lip and chrome plated aside from cost?

[XanderWiFi]

Malibu, I like your ride. Tasteful and clean.

[XanderWiFi]

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=AR18I22C&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&wIndex=6&grid=true&sw=1280

I REALLY like these...but they only have two in stock... : (

[XanderWiFi]

What does the offset indicate? And holy hell why are the tires more than the rims???? I'm way out of my league here...buying tires to match is even tougher. I don't plan to be racing, I just want good looking tires to drive on that match my rims...they talk about optimum warming temps and everything which I know about but how the heck am I going to choose?

[Malibu369258]

You want to keep the overall wheel diameter as close to stock as possible if you want your speedometer to read accurate.


You can use the calculator below to compare your stock tire size to another size.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp?action=submit

[XanderWiFi]

bah

[Vic28]

Idk why would you pick the first one, thats a snow tire. The second one, thats like the best all season high performance tire, but the money is up there too. Usually all season low profile cost more(more rare) than just summer tires on low pros depending the application, you can defenetly find other tires that are good and cheaper.

[XanderWiFi]

I'm originally from the snow belt. What if I drive back?

What's a good brand too? I'm just looking at the American ones right now. Never heard anything good about the others.

[XanderWiFi]

Here's the link with all the tires compatible with the rim. If someone has one of them that has worked really well for them I would love to hear about it.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?sortCode=53650&minSpeedRating=S&width=225/&ratio=40&diameter=18&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&skipOver=true

[TdotAlero]

For the tires, if you were to choose between the two choices posted, Michelin Pilot all the way (if you can pay for them). At work, many people choose to go second hand tires. For about half a price of brand new, you get a tire with about 80% thread left. The winter tire you posted is good too. But you can't use it in summer - soft rubber will burn too fast. Buy two sets or better, here's the alternative I have. I'm running 18" with Michelin Pilots in the summer. In winter I put on my stock 15" steel rims with Pirelli Snow tires. Best combo ever.

[Cliff8928]

... This is what I'll be getting next most likely..

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS&partnum=24YR8ECDWSXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoYear=2004&autoModel=Alero%20GL%20Sedan&autoModClar=

[XanderWiFi]

For the tires, if you were to choose between the two choices posted, Michelin Pilot all the way (if you can pay for them). At work, many people choose to go second hand tires. For about half a price of brand new, you get a tire with about 80% thread left. The winter tire you posted is good too. But you can't use it in summer - soft rubber will burn too fast. Buy two sets or better, here's the alternative I have. I'm running 18" with Michelin Pilots in the summer. In winter I put on my stock 15" steel rims with Pirelli Snow tires. Best combo ever.

This actually helps a TON! Because I never thought about the rubber being harder or softer for winter/summer. I do plan to keep my 15's for just what you described-but that is in case I go back to Ohio. Other than that I am in El Paso-and though it gets cold during the night and mornings it is hot as balls the majority of the time.

I read on some of those tires that they get them hot so they stick better and all that jive. I have no idea what design of tire to get-some of the tires they say get so hot and sticky that it is great for racing but you lose mpg-I don't want that! A nice grand touring tire seems like it would do: something that looks and rides nice but isn't going to throw me off the road.

So I feel stuck. They throw 100 different sets and sifting through them is proving to be tedious and difficult.

[XanderWiFi]

1. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiresB.jsp?&autoYear=2004&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Pirelli&partnum=24HR80NASXL&tireModel=PZero+Nero+All+Season&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModClar=&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan

2. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiresB.jsp?&autoYear=2004&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Firestone&partnum=24WR8FHW&tireModel=Firehawk+Wide+Oval&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModClar=&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan

3. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiresB.jsp?&autoYear=2004&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Continental&partnum=24YR8ECDWSXL&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModClar=&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan

4. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiresB.jsp?&autoYear=2004&vehicleSearch=true&tireMake=Bridgestone&partnum=24WR8RE760XL&tireModel=Potenza+RE760+Sport&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoModClar=&i1_Qty=4&i1_Qty=4&autoModel=Alero+GL+Sedan

Alrighty, I did a rough narrowing and got it down to four different sets of tires that have good reviews and customer satisfaction on their website. Now I wanted to run these by you guys to see if you have any experience with them and if you would be willing to share that with me.

It's a big investment. I just want to be sure.

[XanderWiFi]

I did a side by side comparison and the Continentals really seem to take the cake...

[XanderWiFi]

... This is what I'll be getting next most likely..

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS&partnum=24YR8ECDWSXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Oldsmobile&autoYear=2004&autoModel=Alero%20GL%20Sedan&autoModClar=

Cliff,

Yeah I really like the reviews this tire received as well and the price is great. Comes from Portugal though...not sure if that is a good thing...

[kwhauck]

i like #1 rims the best, although i think you could do better. I also think all these tires are overrated. I usually get some cheap ass tires, or used tires and have never had any problems. Shoot, I have some shitty kumho's on stock rims and pulled a 2.0 60ft at bandimere......

[XanderWiFi]

i like #1 rims the best, although i think you could do better. I also think all these tires are overrated. I usually get some cheap ass tires, or used tires and have never had any problems. Shoot, I have some shitty kumho's on stock rims and pulled a 2.0 60ft at bandimere......

You like the mix of black rims with a white car? I am def considering those but the black, though mixing well, seems to take the pazazz away some.

On another note, I went to match the regency rims with the continental tires and got this message:

The following tire you have selected has a higher load rating than the vehicle's Original Equipment (O.E.) tires. This typically results in increased ride harshness, which some customers may find undesirable.

Anyone know anything about that?


Nooo....and the tires are on back order too? What the hay?

[XanderWiFi]

Oh God...I just dropped $1400 on the regency rims and pirelli tires...I hope I am not making a mistake in this....BAH!

It's too late! It's too late! Ima hyperventilate...

[kwhauck]

black rims are hawt, especially on a white car....

[TdotAlero]

Great choice to go with the Pirelli tires. I have put a set of those 18" Pirelli on a G35 about a month ago, and I asked the guy later how he likes them. He said the traction he gets is really good, as we ll as a nice, smooth ride.

I read on some of those tires that they get them hot so they stick better and all that jive. I have no idea what design of tire to get-some of the tires they say get so hot and sticky that it is great for racing but you lose mpg-I don't want that! A nice grand touring tire seems like it would do: something that looks and rides nice but isn't going to throw me off the road.

The snow tires are made using very soft rubber. If you look at the thread design, it is supposed to look (and act) like a sponge, absorbing water and snow and throwing it away. When you drive on a cold, snowy road, they work perfectly. However most of them have a very low speed rating. This means that if you go on a highway, having 4 regular snow tires, and do a regular 130km/h, the rubber becomes so soft, close to a chewing gum. The rubber sticks to the road at a great speed (also because it heats up), and what happens with time, is what is called "feathering". Feathering is a tire edge wear, when due to high speed and tire temperature, the edge deforms and creates uneven spots/bumps. This might later lead to quicker tire wear, and, of course, a very rough and bumpy ride. So tbh snow tires are the best for city driving in a snow.

On a side note, when you put the new rims and tires on, don't forget to get the alignment done - you will extend the life of your tires!

[XanderWiFi]

Great choice to go with the Pirelli tires. I have put a set of those 18" Pirelli on a G35 about a month ago, and I asked the guy later how he likes them. He said the traction he gets is really good, as we ll as a nice, smooth ride.

On a side note, when you put the new rims and tires on, don't forget to get the alignment done - you will extend the life of your tires!

Great input! And I feel so much better about the pirellis knowing that other's have used and liked them. But why an alignment? How would new tires throw it off kilter?

I'm just terrified that the rims won't look good with the white paint. And I have to tighten my belt for a while...that stuff is not cheap.

[TdotAlero]

Great input! And I feel so much better about the pirellis knowing that other's have used and liked them. But why an alignment? How would new tires throw it off kilter?
I am not sure about the quality of roads in Texas, but here, in Toronto we have way too many potholes and speed bumps and other nasty surprises. Over time, when you go over potholes, the tie rods and other parts get shifted and the car becomes un-aligned. The way how you could often easily tell if you need and alignment is when your steering wheel is not straight. If your car is in need of alignment and you don't do it when you get new tires, after a year or so, the inside part of the tire might end up bold, when the outer part will still have plenty of thread left. My place charges 20 bucks to scan the car and to find out if it needs alignment or not. When you take your tires and rims to a tire shop to put them on, try to bargain if they cut scan your car for free. When I install new tires on a car I always recommend doing an alignment (at least two front wheels). A good mechanic can also tell if you need alignment just by looking at your old tires.

[Cliff8928]

Cliff,

Yeah I really like the reviews this tire received as well and the price is great. Comes from Portugal though...not sure if that is a good thing...

Not sure where my current set came from (which is the older version of these), but they're the best all-season I've ever driven in the snow. Not to mention they grip pretty good for one too.