Wheel Woes.. FR-S needs new shoes.

"B_dol" (bdolan40) 01/16/2014 at 17:28 • Filed to: None

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So I chose to upgrade the wheels/tires/springs in the next few months. However, I am stuck on two options...please weigh in.

Option 1: Enkei RPF1 18x8.5 Black, Michelin Super Sports, window tint

Option 2: Rays Gramlight 57Xtreme Gunmental, 18x8.5, Michelin Super Sports, no tint

The Enkei's have a big advantage in the weight and cost department, however, a bit too murdered out/boy racer perhaps? My car is asphalt, like those in the photos.

Note: these setups are both within budget...

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:30

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Second one all day

N/A POWAAAHH > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:31

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Depends. If you do track days because racecar, then enkeis. But if street car, everyone has enkeis, and I personally like the gram lights better myself

YSI-what can brown do for you > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:31

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I forgot to ask you but what is your budget for wheels?

HappyHealToe > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:32

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I usually back the RPF1 camp. but I have to say, Those Gramlight 57Xtreme...tasty.

+1 Rays

Drsweetdik > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:32

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Second pic.

B_dol > YSI-what can brown do for you 01/16/2014 at 17:34

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Both are in budget, although the gramlights are about $1K more.

B_dol > N/A POWAAAHH 01/16/2014 at 17:35

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I agree. Enkei's are common and I feel the black wheels are a bit too played out these days.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:35

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Definitely like the looks of the Gramlights better,

but hard to argue against lower weight and cost...

How much lighter/cheaper?

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2014 at 17:37

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About a grand cheaper in total. Looking at ~3lbs lighter per corner.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:37

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Just like Miata....

The answer is always RPF-1.

YSI-what can brown do for you > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:39

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In 18s, I think RPF1s are around 1200 or so. Gram Lights aren't over 2k that is for sure. I think you can get them for 1800. If so then, I would definitely check out some of the options from Work. Sometimes you can get them for under 2k, and they are damn sexy. I want to say they are lighter than the Gram Lights too.

But if they aren't lighter, go for the Gram Lights. Also are you doing autocross or track days?

MazdaMonkey > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/16/2014 at 17:39

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And on Miata.net, everyone answers RPF-1 as well!

PanchoVilleneuve ST > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:40

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HAYASHI STREETS

THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS HAYASHI STREET

Textured Soy Protein > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:41

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What about Enkei PF01? 18x8.5" +48 weighs 18.5 lbs. Similar price to the RPF1.

B_dol > YSI-what can brown do for you 01/16/2014 at 17:42

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I'm weighing in the fact that I'll need centercaps for the Rays haha, extra $$. The Gramlights are around 21lbs a corner. Options from Work tend to be about as heavy and more expensive.

I will track/autocross maybe 1-2 times a year, at the moment. Mostly scenic drives and backroad cruising.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:42

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3 lbs per wheel will be noticeable in a light car like yours.

What else could you do to your car with that extra $1000?

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > MazdaMonkey 01/16/2014 at 17:43

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It's like some type of weird type of always correct vortex, man....

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2014 at 17:44

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Thats my thought. Plus, nice wheels means I have to worry more about scratching them. $1K in the bank is nice.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:47

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http://www.enkei.com/rpf1.shtml

Does SBC = more money?

No gold and gray for you?

YSI-what can brown do for you > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:48

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Have you thought about buying 17 inch rims? Not only will the wheels be cheaper but so will the tires! Plus they will be lighter and they won't make the car slower due to the wheels being taller! The only downside is that it doesn't look as sexy as the 18s. You can get 17x9s and they fit, no rubbing!

I hoon, therefore I am > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:48

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I rather like black wheels, especially on light-colored cars. The second photo makes the car look too dark, and I'm not a fan of black on black.

I like the look of the Gramlights better, but it's hard to argue with lighter AND cheaper.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2014 at 17:48

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I don't think the SBC will look good on the Dark Grey Metallic color. Gold looks good in some wheels, however not the RPF-1 on this color. Seen a few examples, was not impressed. Bronze is nicer.

B_dol > YSI-what can brown do for you 01/16/2014 at 17:50

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I was under the impression 17x9 required some suspension work? 18x8.5 is still lighter than stock by a couple of lbs, even with tires on.

B_dol > I hoon, therefore I am 01/16/2014 at 17:51

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Car is dark grey metallic, so it shade changes with lighting. Both pics above are of the same color car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:52

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I can see the gold being a bit much - bronze would be sweet.

Honestly, the black in the picture you posted looks really good. Purposeful. Not showy, all business.

Glad you're getting rid of the stock rims. Never liked them. Hope the do a lot better when they finally drop the TRD and STI versions.

Spaze > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:53

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RPF1's are ALWAYS the answer...... ALWAYS!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:53

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Also, the Super Sports are fantastic tires. Looking forward to getting back on them in a couple months.

YSI-what can brown do for you > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:54

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As long as you are between the offsets of +35 and +42 you will not rub on the suspension work. My friend ran 17x9 with about -3 of camber. He never rubbed. You will save a pound per corner with the Gram lights if you go 17x9.

Just something to consider. Plus with 17x9, if you ever want to upgrade to BBK it will clear the spokes!

B_dol > YSI-what can brown do for you 01/16/2014 at 17:58

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Fair point, although 9" of rubber is a lot for this little sucker. Ultimately, I think i'll err on the side of cheap and light. Because 1) save some $$, 2) keep with the ethos of the car.

desertdog5051 > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 17:58

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Option 2. IMO.

B_dol > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2014 at 17:58

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Ultimately, I think i'll err on the side of cheap and light. Because 1) save some $$, 2) keep with the ethos of the car. Super sports are what I am most stoked for.

YSI-what can brown do for you > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 18:04

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You can get 8" if you want as well. I just think that 9" are a perfect fit. Also, I am just recommending you different set ups. You can do whatever you want, this is your car. If you want 18s you can get them!

TwoFortified > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 18:12

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Wow, so many people for option 2.

Call me crazy, but I prefer option 1 personally. I really like Enkeis, even if they are a bit overdone.

B_dol > TwoFortified 01/16/2014 at 18:14

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I agree. Luckily they aren't the same cost, nor the same weight. Making the decision less tricky. Plus, those gramlights are wider than I would get, making for some nice concavity I would not see.

TwoFortified > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 18:16

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Yeah, I was gonna say...

I haven't played around with rims much because I've been perpetually broke for the last 5 years or so, but aren't Rays typically heinously expensive (where Enkeis are just kind of expensive)?

I'm rolling on some Enkei-looking eBay brands right now. I think they look good enough , but then, I've got bigger fish to fry than making my car look good. One day...

B_dol > TwoFortified 01/16/2014 at 18:19

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Rays are about $200 a pop more, which isn't chump change (think extra set of wheels or tires)

Stupidru > B_dol 01/16/2014 at 18:45

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I've got a set of 2011 WRX wheels with 245/40/17 Pilot Super Sports on them for sale if you'd like