17X7 or 17X7.5 advice

[templedogg]

I have been doing all the research I can before making a purchase. This site is great!!! I just got my XD2 and have tinted the windows 20% and installed OEM Mudguards and OEM spoiler, wheels are next.

After looking at all the posts I have a couple quick questions I was hoping to get assistance with though.

I do not plan to lower the car.

I would like to run 215/45R-17 tires ultimately, but know 205/45R-17 is closest to OEM.

I know there is slight differences between tires but does anyone have this exactly:

1. 17X7 wheels with a 42 offset at stock height without rubbing?
This is what I might get.
http://www.wheelmax.com/product.asp?ProdId=1594

2. 17X7.5 with a 45 offset at stock height without rubbing?
This is what I might get.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17-ADR-M-CLASSIC-BLACK-WHEEL-RIM-ESCORT-TIBURON-ELANTRA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43957QQitemZ805 8370349QQrdZ1

I have not seen too many post referencing 17X7.5 wheels. I imagined a 45 offset would be neccasary.

Which do you guys prefer and suggest for a 06 Silver GLS waiting to be pimped somemore. 1 or 2?

Does anyone have pics of similar wheels on a silver GLS?

Thanks guys,
T-Dogg

[Cypher]

i think.... THINK dave or daillestone is running 7.5inch wide wheels with 42mm offset. i'm not positive on that tho.

[golfino]

I am running 17x7.5 with 215-45-17 with a 42 offset for over a year with no rubbing even with three kids in the back(all under 8).

[templedogg]

That is good to know, thanks golfino. I had not seen too many posts with 17X7.5. I read somewhere that 7.5 would make a 215/45 tire wider, so that is why I fiquired a 45 offset would be required. What tire are you running?

[bolofly2003]

i have a silver elantra. check in cardomain.com my pics.search for bolofly2003

[BlackElantraGT]

You'll be fine with a 45+mm offset because that means that even though your wheels are a bit wider, your wheels are also sitting further inside.

I have a hatch and my wheels are 17x7.5 with a 43+mm offset. My first set of 215/45/17 from Yokohoma AVSES100 rubbed, but I currently have the same size tires but Falken Ziex 512 and I've yet to have any rubbing issues.

Even when I was rubbing on the Yoko's, I would only rub if I had other people riding in the car with me and I hit a big bump.

[templedogg]

Thanks BlackelantraGT. Did you get the 17X7.5 for any exact reason, or were they just the wheel you liked? I like your wheels, they are 10 spoke kind of like the ones in my number one option, but those are 17X7 with 42. Which I think would also be OK with the Falkens. How do you like those performance wise against the Yokos?

[golfino]

Conti Sport Contacts dont know the model but they are all season

[BlackElantraGT]

I got 17x7.5 because at the time, for the model of rims I wanted that was the only width they came in with the right bolt pattern and close enough offset. I guess from far away they do look similar to the rims you want, but they're actually different when you look at it close up. Mine are just simple 10 straight spokes, where as yours are 10 spokes, but it's more of a paired and spaced 10 spoke design. Here's a closer pic so you can see the difference:

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=338

In any case, even though I'm not a big fan of rivets, I still like both of the designs you've chosen. I like #1 better than #2 though for some reason. Maybe because in the pictures, #1 had a better looking lip and the rivets didn't stand out so much.

As far as tires, the Yokohama AVSES100 is a ultra high performance summer tire whereas the Falken Ziex 512 are High Performance All Season tires. Obviously the AVSES100 is stickier, but the treadlife on those tires were poor and towards the end of their life, the tires do get very loud. I've only had the Falken's for about 2 months now, but so far no complaints and the fact that I haven't rubbed whatsoever amazes me. The rubbing was also part of the reason why the treadlife wasn't so great on the Yoko's. Both are great tires, but the Falken's are more practical and more economical for most drivers. I'm not Michael Schumacher and I don't drive a Ferrari so I'm happy with them :)

[templedogg]

Thanks for upclose pic, I really like your ten spokes. I appreciate the input and advice. I am leaning hard towards option 1, option 2 is starting to look like too much is going on in that size wheel. I think I will pull the trigger soon.

Has anyone purchased from WheelMax lately? Are they good to buy both wheels and tires from, or just one or the other. The Federal tires SS595 are super cheap, and advice on them?

Thanks for the help guys, I will post pics when I get the rims.
T-Dogg

[BlackElantraGT]

Most of the time when you order your wheels as a set from these places, they generally offer a really great price, but you're stuck with some no namer tires like Nankang or Wan Li's, and it's usually in a size that you probably don't want like 205/40/17.

They might offer you the option for upgrading your tires, but often times the price goes up significantly and might not be worth it to you. If that's the case, just use the tires that the wheels come with and the next time you purchase tires, you can get the size and brand tires that you want. Otherwise, you're looking at purchasing tires seperately, which means you'll have to consider the cost of shipping the tires, mounting/balancing, etc.

I would personally pick Federal tires over Wan Li or Nankang any day. I've never had any experience with any of them, but basically you can't get tires any cheaper than the Wan Li's or Nankangs. That's about as cheap as they come.

Wheelmax is probably one of the more reputable online wheel place to shop from. They've been around awhile so if their service was extremely crappy, I don't think they would still be around. If you don't feel comfortable doing business online, you might want to go to Discount Tire's website and see if there are any similiar style rims that you like. Then you can go to a direct store and most of the time the guys there are willing to pricematch to their website's online price.

[quickfingerz]

Here's a pic of my 17x7 +42 offset w/ 215/45/17. That tire is -0.7 deg camber. I have never rubbed and I've tried everything. My rear left wheel is 0 deg camber and it's closer to the fender. Rubbing is a matter of milimeters.

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4735&stc=1

[templedogg]

Nice pic quickfingerz, it looks like 215/45X17 really fills out the fender wells nicely. Looks like with a 42-45 offset all is good, but 40 or less is where problems start.

Thanks for the input guys.

[quickfingerz]

Yeah, it looks great even w/o a drop. I'll probably still go with the Eibach Pro-Kit w/ Tiburon struts.

[templedogg]

Well I did it, the wheels are on order. I have to tell you this wheelmax place kicks butt in Customer service. I wanted a tire that they didn't even have (Falken ZE 512) and told them it was deal breaker, and he was able to get them in special and sell them at their cost.....plus he discounted the wheels, gave me the installation kit with the right hub rings, polished lugs, and stems, plus free shipping and no sales tax!!!! (FYI His name is Leo, ext.1028 if you are looking at WheelMax, I would call him. Better price than the website even!)

So, for $800 flat I will have them by next Friday mounted and balanced and ready to install. ( I have to do that part myself, but not a problem! ) The closest I could get around here (Seattle area) for anything like this was well over a grand!

This is what I ended up getting. I will post pics once they are installed.

Wheels
http://www.wheelmax.com/product.asp?ProdID=1594


Tires
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireByBrandDetail.do?rcz=98275&rc=WASINT&cs=215&pc=28750&typ=&rd=17&ar=45&tc=FALHZ7

I can't wait to get them in now. I am nervous, but I did the research so all should be good. I must have wasted over 20 hours over three weeks researching wheels, offsets, tires, etc. I can actually get back to work now and also enjoy my house again!!!! Finally pulling the trigger feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest.

[BlackElantraGT]

That's awesome man... I'm glad you put the time, thought, and research into your wheels. $800 is a big investment for any Hyundai owner...the last thing you would want is buyer's remorse. That's a pretty awesome deal for a set of 17's with tires already mounted and balanced, and with no tax either? That's the shiznit!

[Raydee]

Hey guys not to jack this thread but I am basically in the same boat as Temple, I am going to order tires and wheels tomorrow and I am still not 100% sure if what I am ordering will be the right choice. The wheels I want are 17x7 but the only offset they have is +40. I am going to order 205/45/17 to be safe and hopefully not have any rubbing issues with my lowered Elantra. My biggest concern is the +40 offset and I may end up not getting the Wheels just to find a set with a +42 offset. If +40 will work with my setup without having to max out my camber or worry about rubbing then I guess I am good to go with my choice.

[templedogg]

Thanks BlackElantraGT, I thought that was a pretty good deal, I just hope there is no issues. I am glad I was able to get the Falkens in the deal. I know you have those and from what I have read all over the net they are good tires, plus I just love the rim saver look.

Raydee, I really wanted 215/45s so I made sure I had at least a 42 offset from the research I did, I had a couple other wheels in mind but they where 40, so I passed. I think a 40 offset and 205/45 should be fine. I will post pics and rub details once I get them installed....hopefully ASAP.

[BlackElantraGT]

Hey guys not to jack this thread but I am basically in the same boat as Temple, I am going to order tires and wheels tomorrow and I am still not 100% sure if what I am ordering will be the right choice. The wheels I want are 17x7 but the only offset they have is +40. I am going to order 205/45/17 to be safe and hopefully not have any rubbing issues with my lowered Elantra. My biggest concern is the +40 offset and I may end up not getting the Wheels just to find a set with a +42 offset. If +40 will work with my setup without having to max out my camber or worry about rubbing then I guess I am good to go with my choice.

I think you should be ok with that 40+mm offset, especially since your wheel width is only 7" and you're only planning on getting 205mm width tires. And if your car is a sedan, you'll less likely rub vs the hatch. I'm sure there are a few members with this offset that can put their input into this a little more.

[DAILLESTWUN]

You should be fine. I have 18X7.5" Wheels with a 45mm offset. I'm running 225-40-18 tires. So yours should be just fine...especially without a drop. And when you do drop it, go with Eibach's. It's not too much of a drop...