New Tire/Wheel Recommendations

[josefresco]

I own a 2001 Elantra 4 door. It's black and has no after market modifications besides fog lights and a non working Sony head unit (I know, I know its killing me)

Anyways, my stock tires are getting close to needing replacement (well they DO need replacement now, but I'm finally getting close to actually doing it). I want to get new wheels and tires in one purchase and am looking for some information.

1. What I'm looking for: 17" wheels preferably, and the tires need to perform moderately well in bad weather as I live on Cape Cod which sees it's fair share of snow in the winter (although my Range Rover will be used for those really bad storms). Why 17" you ask? Well for about 1K, I'd like a bigger more dramatic change in look that I don't think can be achieved with 16".

2. Budget: I'd like the total to come in around $1,000. This should include installation. I "know a guy" who knows about cars, but is by no means a rim specialist. So I'd like to have him install them (for free) but if I have too, I'll take it to a rim place in my area and have them do it. So keep in mind that simple install is what I'm aiming for.

3. Wheels I like that I've seen on this BBS:

http://www.centexgmlegends.org/04elantraxd03.jpg (although installation seems like a pain)

http://members.aol.com/boogajive/photos/caliper_far.jpg

This is not a total list but I tend to like the brushed metal look as opposed to the shiny look (although I'd consider any looks really). I like the spoked look and that is why the fist image above really appeals to me.

4. I'm a newb, and I don't just mean on this BBS. I don't know jack about wheels or cars in general, I just have an Elantra and 1k devoted to this project. I know a few people that can help me out locally, but I've seen many things on the BBS that I know are over my head. Such as: wheel offset, rubbing, size limits, etc. etc. So please explain everything and provide pics and a list of parts I will need and things I will need to look out for. My installer isn't a rim guy but I know he can handle a simple wheel install. Again, if needed I can take it to a pro, but it will limit my budget.

And thank you in advance, this forum is a great place for advice and seems to have many knowledgable Elantra owners.

[JacksonJ]

For the rims and tires, you are better off getting a package deal that have them already mounted, then it'll be just like changing a tire. I've seen some for $500 and go up from there. Then you'd still have money to get a new head unit. Which would be around $ 200-300 depending on features.

[SWortham]

A lot of the good package tire + wheel combo deals are for crappy tires that are too small though. If you ask for a specific tire in a bigger size then it'll cost more and by that time you realize you aren't saving all that much. Shop carefully. ;)

[jbird88]

CHeck out ebay ;)...also there are a bunch of online wheel/rim dealers on the net, just do a google search on "Rims and Tires" or something like that. Usually you can snag a package deal for around $500-600 and you gotta get that new head unit like jackson says :abovelol:

[josefresco]

Ok, thanks for the general recommendations but I'm looking for some specific recommendations. I have already searched around the net and found many rims and combo packages that I like, but I don't know what will "fit" my car so I'm hesitant to order cold off the net.

Can someone recommend few good sites on the net or maybe a few good tire/wheel combos? Please provide links and experiences with installing if you have them.

Question: If I get a set of wheel/tire combos, then all I have to do is install them? No other modifications need to be done even with 17"?

The head unit is no problem and I'll be fitting that into my budget if the wheels come in under 1K. Gonna have someone at Tweeter do the install as Best Buy did my last one and lets just say I'm not confident in their skills. The install was fine but they don't strike me as the most professional (of course I only paid $22 to have it installed, so it was a VERY cheap operation).

I'll do some more trolling on Google but please if anyone has any good links, good dealers, or just good deals, let me know.

Also, if anyone in the community needs website help, I'm a pro web developer and can help out with this site, or anyone else's if they need it in exchange for some good advice ;)

SWortham, I really like the look you have on your Elantra. What wheel/tires do you have on your ride?

Also, 1 more question, If I install 17" wheels, won't I need to make some adjustment on my speedometer? Is that even posible or will I just need to clock it?

[Steve]

wheel size = 17x7
bolt pattern = 4x4.5 (114.3mm)
offset = 40 or 42
tire size = 205/45/17
There's some variation possible in tire size like 215/40/17 (harsher ride quality) or 215/45/17 (taller sidewall makes for softest ride)

[04 elantra cvvt]

I bought mine from e-bay from a seller named "rimdealer". This guy is based out of Florida, and he makes his living selling tire and wheel combos on e-bay. I spent 500 dollars on my set of 17's. The tires were crap, so I bought a good set of Yokohama's to put on there. In total, I have about 900 dollars in the whole set. I am very pleased with the way the car looks, and the money that I have in the set. If you are interested in looking at some of the sets he has, go to e-bay, and click on search. Then click on "search by seller", and type in the name "rimdealer". You will see everything he has. Make sure you look for the right bolt pattern which is listed in the above post. Good luck, and let us know what you come up with.

[SWortham]

Also make sure that you get hubcentric rings with aftermarket wheels. You'll need rings that fit a 67.1mm hub size. Sometimes they'll come with the wheels, sometimes they don't. With the hubcentric rings, the wheels will be centered on the hub instead of on the lugs. Without them, the wheels could potentially develop a shimmy when going 60+ mph.

Right now, I'm on a 'quest' to find high precision aluminum hubcentric rings and I'll probably be ordering them soon.


Oh, I just noticed this...

"SWortham, I really like the look you have on your Elantra. What wheel/tires do you have on your ride?"
- Thanks. They're 17x7" Exel TZ-7 wheels with 215/45-17's crappy all season tires. The wheels are a copy of Konig Tantrum's. In fact it's a style that's been duplicated by many wheel manufacturer's also including Motegi MR7's and the REV Boost. The REV's are sold at www.speedandstyle.com and those would be my pick since they're a good price and they're only 18 pounds and with the perfect offset. If I were to suggest tires, I'd probably say that 04 Elantra Cvvt made a very good decision with his 215/45-17 Yokohama AVS ES100's. Those are great tires and pretty reasonable for the street.

[Blackdiamond]

Hey got them too! 17x7" Exel TZ-7's that is ... just stay away from Wheelmax.. they have too many bad issues!

[04 elantra cvvt]

I have heard that about wheelmax. I had no problems out of the guy on e-bay.

[josefresco]

Thanks guys for the info. I'm going to come back and make another post when I have some worthy candidates (see if you guys know the vendor/brand/model etc.) There are some really nice rides on this BBS and I appreciate all the help and active involvement. You guys have inspired me to take better care of my 01 Elantra. I think it'll like the new wheels and stereo ;)

Quick last question; If I were to buy 18" wheels and tires, what mods if any would I need to make to the car to accommodate? I've only seen 1 person on this board that has done it so I know its not common. This is going to be a daily driver so I don't want to over do it.

[SWortham]

This is going to be a daily driver so I don't want to over do it.

Then don't get 18" wheels, heheh. You would need 215/35-18 size tires which are pretty thin. The ride quality would be quite harsh compared to the cushy ride you get with the stock tires. Then there's the considerations of price, weight, worrying more about potholes, etc. I know people have done it here, but it just isn't a practical choice for anything other than a show car, IMO.

[josefresco]

Yeah I pretty much agree. I did some digging, and saw some really good posts on 18" wheels and will most likely limit the size to 17".

The thought of getting cheap 18" wheels and having so many drawbacks is not comforting. If I go to 17's then I'll have a nicer set of wheels and tires quality wise.

Thanks people, I'm off to shop.

[GTSpeedRacer]

www.wheelguyz.com have good package deals.

I bought the rims I wanted and got the cheap included tires. I figure I'll beat the snot out of the tires in short order and then get good rubber.

Check the sticky rim and tire thread for people's different styles. Mine were approx $700 mounted, balanced, shipped and ready to bolt on.

[04 elantra cvvt]

joefresco, please let us know what you find. And when you get some on the car, post it up in the Official Rim Gallery. Take care, and have fun shopping around.

[04GTboySC]

I've been reading this thread and also am in the market for rims. This is really helpful what kind of rims do you guys think i should look at, I have an 04 tidal wave blue GT hatchback

[04 elantra cvvt]

It depends on what direction you are planning on going with the car. I don't think that there are many styles out there that will look BAD, but it's all up to your taste.

[04GTboySC]

yea, btw i pmd u cvvt