17" Summer wheels and tires

M

M Darrah

Registered
I bought a set of snow tires and wheels last year, which made a huge difference. Now it's past time to swap them out again and I'm seriously considering new wheels/tires. My chrome 10 spokes are looking really bad and the Pilot Sport A/S's are about 3 years old and I was never really satisfied with their wet traction anyway.

I'd love to do a hub swap, but I don't have the confidence in my mechanical skills, so my choices for 17 inch wheels are pretty slim.

I'm kind of liking these MSW Type 16 from Tirerack because they have that Cobra R look I like. Only the spokes and rim are polished, the rest is black, so I'm hoping they don't look too ricey. My car's black, so that'll help. I'm open to other suggestions if anybody has some, but it seems like the choices are very limited.

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As for tires, I'm looking at the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT which I know are total overkill, but their wet traction is supposed to be great.

I need to get these bought ASAP, so any advice or alternatives are welcome.
 
Thanks for the offer Jeremi, but honestly I've got a finite amount of money and the car needs other work: a complete front-end rebuild, a mysterious oil leak which I think is coming from the pass-side valve cover, power steering pump/fluid, new driver's seat belt, just to name a few. Not to mention it needs a new paint job :eek:. How much can I expect to spend on parts for a hub swap? I remember seeing a nice post that maybe you posted with pics of the custom rear brackets and stuff but I can't find it now. Just wanted to see what was involved.
 
First of all... I am shocked to find out you are still alive... :D

I figured you must have been dead after all the messages I left few you a few weeks ago... :D

You should totally go to Jeremi's, if we plan this right it could be a meet... :D

There's MK8's and mechanical working being done, so we know Bill is automatically in... :D

Anyway, I like you're wheel choice, and the black centers look f'n sweet on BadSaxillac, so I think they would look equally sweet on the MK...

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I've been looking at wheels with grey centers to match the new grey car, which you would have seen had you not been hiding out the last time I was in Chicago... :p

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:D -J
 
Wheels look good, but the Tire rack software automatically includes big rotors. Might not look quite the same with the smaller Mark rotors.
 
Just swapping the hub is probably not too costly assuming you do not install bigger rotors and cobra calipers up front. Even if you went that far, the install would not be bad since it all comes off to do the hub swap anyway..
 
I'd like to be there to watch and LEARN! Would that work? Of course I'd be in the Mark, and with a camera.
 
Paging Mr. Darrah...

Mr. Darrah please report to your post...

Once again, paging Mr. Darrah, your party is waiting at your post...
Please report to your post... :D

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-J
 
There are a few better choices in 18's. Just how much of a difference ride-wise are 18s?

I've decided against the hub swap, but thanks Jeremi for offering to help. Like Manny, I already have the winter wheels and tires anyway so that would make those obsolete. The only reason to do a hub swap in my mind (besides wheel choices) is upgrading the brakes, and that's just going to be too much money. I still need a front-end rebuild including PS pump. Hell I'd like to replace the rack with a gen 1 while I'm at it (it's a faster rack) but I'm probably dreaming. I've probably got $1500 in repairs that need to be done and that's not including cosmetics like a new paint job and interior work. Maybe I should just sell the thing.
 
Ride wise, there's a slight difference. It does feel stiffer but feels like it responds quicker to steering. I went with 18s because I thought the 17s wouldn't be much difference looks-wise from the stock 16s.

While driving, I do try to avoid potholes, etc, but I have hit a few and haven't damaged the rims so its not like having 22s with rubber band like tires. I have had two blow outs so I'm glad I got the road hazard warranty with discount tires. First one I ran over a piece of metal on the highway (lucky it was a rear) and the other was my mistake as I misjudged a curb. :eek:
 
I just bit the bullet and bought what's in my original post. I'm tired of second-guessing myself. I need these things ASAP. Thanks all for the comments.
 
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