The Candidates: all 17" and tasty

[josefresco]

First off, please leave any comments as to the reliability of the vendors that I outline below. Also I'm looking for reccomendations on tires, as I am ingorant to the quality of the packaged tires, and the upgrades available.

1. MSR Wheels 190 White 17x7 (http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=112220&InfoID=2505&ShowLarge=True)
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Images/msr_190_white.jpg

2. RIAX Wheels SECA 17x7 inch Black (http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=132390&InfoID=2505&ShowLarge=True)
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Images/Riax-Seca-B.jpg

3. MSR Wheels 113 Dark Gray 17x7 (http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=112211&InfoID=2505&ShowLarge=True)
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Images/MSR-113_graphite.jpg

All three of the above wheels come with 205/40/ZR17 Goodyear Essenza 210 Type R tires. Does anyone know if these are any good? I want them to last at least 30-40K miles (of short daily driving, my work is 5 miles from my home) They offer tire upgrades, the list is as follows:

4 Kumho 711 205/40/17 Add+ $30.00
4 Kumho 712 205/40/17 Add+ $65.00
4 Falken ZE-512 205/40/17 Add+ $100.00
4 Yokohama 205/40/17 Add+ $200.00
4 Nitto Neo Gen 205/40/17 Add+ $180.00
4 Falken ZE-512 215/45/17 Add+ $160.00
4 Kumho 711 215/45/17 Add+ $160.00
4 Kumho 712 215/45/17 Add+ $200.00
4 Nitto Neo Gen 215/45/17 Add+ $200.00
4 Toyo ProxesFZ4 215/45/17 Add+ $200.00
4 Yokohama 215/45/17 Add+ $250.00

Do I need 215/45's or can I get away with 205/40's?

I also found a good many wheel/tire combos as WheelsNext.com, however, their site is short on details and they don't even list what tires they bundle (due to the low prices I'm assuming they're crap). Does anyone have any experience with WheelsNext.com? Here's a product listing (http://www.wheelsnext.com/view.phtml?f_cat=TUNER+SPECIALS%3A+17+INCH+WITH+TI RES+--%3E+STARTING+AT+%24499+FREE+SHIPPING)

[ruahighlander]

I think #3 with the Falken Ze 512's. Yes you could get away with 40s, but then you could definetly NOT hit a pothole with them. I would reccomend the 45s thats what I have been using for a while and they are great(I also use Falken ZE 512s). Also Falken comes with a 30K warranty! :D

[04 elantra cvvt]

I would highly reccomend you getting the 215-45's. They fit the car a lot better, and are closer to the right size. Personally, I like Yokohama Tires, but I have had extremely good luck out of the Kumho 712's in the past.

As for the wheels, my choice would have to be the MSR 113's. I like the way those look.

[HatchetMan]

Option 3 on 215/45/17 if going for minor drop (eibach) or none at all. If going with more of a drop, then get 205/45, 205/40's aren't worth it. And yes, the Essenza's are good, I have them, so they must be ;)

[SWortham]

Option 3 on 215/45/17 if going for minor drop (eibach) or none at all. If going with more of a drop, then get 205/45, 205/40's aren't worth it.

I'm going to have to disagree with that statement. I've heard it before a lot of times, and I think I was just about convinced at one point, but it just doesn't make sense to me. When you lower the car, as long as the tire is positioned in such a way that it will clear the fender as the suspension is compressed, then it won't rub. How much you're going to drop the car doesn't have to be the deciding factor for tires. In other words, I don't think it's fair to say that anything lower than Eibach's would require a lower profile tire. No matter what spring you go with, if you don't have proper clearance, then you can still compress the suspension enough to cause rubbing. The key is to get the wheel with the right offset so you can avoid the rubbing problem. 40-45mm will work fine. 42mm would be ideal. And the rubbing problem can be avoided further by adding negative camber. That's my 2 cents.

I do agree though about the 205/40's. I just think those are too small. If you're concerned at all about looks and ride quality, then you'd regret getting that size.

Josefresco, either the 215/45-17 Kumho 712's or Yokohama AVS ES100's would be my choice. I've had the Kumho's and they are very good for the money... the Yokohama's are in the same class but are just a little better in every way: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/uhp_give_you_more.jsp

[HatchetMan]

Clearing the fender, exactly!

[josefresco]

I'm really leaning towards the MSR 113's. I love how these look on other cars (I found pics here (http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/552382) and here (http://www.geocities.com/arinvolvo/arinvolvoscion.html)) and I know they will really shine on my Elantra GLS.

Please no jokes about the Prelude and the Box car.

Now, the only aspect left is the tires (and the dealer). I read about 400 reviews of the Falken ZE512's on 1010 tires (before my eyes glazed over) and most of them were very positive, some even saying they were good in snow. The only bad I read was their side walls were" mushy", but I don't think that will effect me as I am not going to be out on the track with these, or cornering on a highway at high speeds.

I also read up on the Kumho's and found again mostly positive reviews, but some negatives on snow handling (which is a factor as we get dumped on at least 2-3 times a year here on Cape Cod) Unless I hear something really good about the Kumho's then I think the Falken's have it, due to the lower price and snow comments.

The Yokohama's would be nice, but for $250 extra, I'd be pushing my budget.

So it's come down to a two horse race between the Falken 512's and the Kumho 712's. Hmmm choices.

Warranty is a factor as well, I should probably call these people and see what they say. I'll let you guys know what they suggest.

[jbird88]

I like choice #2 with yokos or nittos 215/45/17

[SWortham]

I know the Falken 512's are good tires, but like you said, many people have complained about the sidewalls being mushy. I think they're right, they are mushy for performance tire standards. I know someone who just got some and they were disappointed about that. Chances are, if you get these you'll be happy with them... but you also won't know what you're missing. The Kumho's have very stiff sidewalls and are incredibily responsive in the 215/45 size. The tires play a huge part in the handling characteristics of a car. If you've ever driven a sports car like a S2000, RX-8, 350Z, etc then you know the feeling of 'being one with the road'. Without good performance tires, those cars would feel very sloppy in comparison. My car used to handle so much better with the Kumho 712's than the crappy all-season tires I have now. So you can decide whether stiff sidewalls are important to you.

Of course, the other consideration is snow. Where I live, it rarely snows. But if you need to worry about snow where you are, then most "Summer tires" just aren't going to be safe in the snow. So because of that, the Falken's might be a better choice simply because they are "All Season" tires and should be designed to handle the snow to some degree.

Oh, I just noticed what you said in your first post...
"I want them to last at least 30-40K miles"

There is no way that's going to happen with the Kumho 712's. The Kumho's are composed of pretty soft rubber which will grip the road very well, but also not last very long with a treadwear rating of 280 (they lasted 15K miles for me, but then again I don't drive like a grandma). With the Falken's... they could potentially last 30K miles or more depending on how you drive.

[GTSpeedRacer]

Car color/model?

[josefresco]

Well I think the winner is the Falken ZE-512's. Unless something comes up, I will get the MSR 113's with those tires.

I hopped on over to Ebay and inquired about hub centric rings (thanks SWortham for the heads up) with Discount Tire Direct. I assume they will have some that will fit my setup.

I called the dealer (Discounted WHeel Wharehouse) and they said that they would tell me if I needed hubcentric rings or not. I'm gonna phone in my order tommorow and ask them a bunch of questions on tires and rings and stuff, see what they reccomend.

So, 7-10 days from now, and I'll have some new wheels!

Thanks again everyone for your help, I'll be sure to post up pics when I get them installed.

GTSpeedRacer: Not sure if you were asking me that question but I got a black 2001 Elantra GLS that's due for a good washing.

[04 elantra cvvt]

I think those will look hot on a black car. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

[DAILLESTWUN]

[QUOTE=SWortham]I'm going to have to disagree with that statement. I've heard it before a lot of times, and I think I was just about convinced at one point, but it just doesn't make sense to me. When you lower the car, as long as the tire is positioned in such a way that it will clear the fender as the suspension is compressed, then it won't rub. How much you're going to drop the car doesn't have to be the deciding factor for tires. In other words, I don't think it's fair to say that anything lower than Eibach's would require a lower profile tire. No matter what spring you go with, if you don't have proper clearance, then you can still compress the suspension enough to cause rubbing. The key is to get the wheel with the right offset so you can avoid the rubbing problem. 40-45mm will work fine. 42mm would be ideal. And the rubbing problem can be avoided further by adding negative camber. That's my 2 cents.QUOTE]

I agree. And also I think our cars look better with 18's IMO.

[BlackElantraGT]

That dark gunmetal should look hot on your black GLS. Nice choice man.

[Hot E GT1]

Hallo!

http://www.nitrousworld.com/pictures/File0003%20(Medium).JPG

17x7 40-offset Core Racing Evo-8 (Motegi Racing MR3). Core Racing is availible through http://www.kaltire.com/retail/custo...Wheels&type=FWD .
Motegi Racing is availible through http://www.1010tires.com/wheel.asp?...2D+Super+Silver Only difference is centre cap and price. Evo-8 $177.55CDN, MR3 $199.99CDN




http://www.kaltire.com/images/wheel_42_318SuperBlackSide.jpg Core Racing Evo-8

http://www.1010tires.com/images/wheels/motegi_mr3_s_silver_lg.jpg Montegi Racing MR3

[josefresco]

Thanks for the suggestion Hot E GT1 but the order has been placed. In about 2 weeks I will be posting my pics, gotta buy a new digi cam in the mean time, hmm more choices.

Just to let everyone know, I got my new wheels installed and they look nasty (nasty as in good). I painted the front calipers a light blue (thanks Luckydvl) and plan on painting the rear drums but ran out of time and motivation when I installed them. There's enough space in between spokes to do it by hand with a brush, so one of these days I'll sit down and get them looking good.

I'm going on vacation for about 5 days so when I get back I'll post up pics of the car and rims. It's a little dirty right now so I don't want to spoil the unveiling with a dirt covered GLS.

I also have a minor problem with the little cap that clicks into the middle of the wheel (don't know the name) The rear caps don't *click* in all the way and there is a small gap unlike the fronts which fit fine. I'm a little worried they might pop off when hitting a bump but I'll investigate when I get back and maybe post some pics for evaluation by the community. They're just plastic but there isn't enough space between the wheel and the brake thingy (that's a technical term) to fit it completely.

And of course I'm planning my next upgrade, CAI, maybe a CF hood, new exhaust, and possibly some Nitrous action, we'll see, depends on the budget of course ;)

[SWortham]

I painted the front calipers a light blue (thanks Luckydvl) and plan on painting the rear drums but ran out of time and motivation when I installed them. There's enough space in between spokes to do it by hand with a brush, so one of these days I'll sit down and get them looking good.

Does that mean you're going to paint the rear drums light blue as well?

[josefresco]

Actually I was thinking of painting them black, as the light blue might be a bit too much and I like the black/dark look. THe black will have to wait though, as I need to buy it. I got enough blue to do it, so maybe i'll post the pics and see what the community thinks.

I'm back from vacation and could possibly post some pics tonight, if I'm motivated enough to get off my *** and wash the car. I still have the old digi cam but it will have to do as I'm not happy with the current crop of digi cams on the market.

[SWortham]

Ah, ok. Yeah I agree, black would look fine and it would help prevent the rust from showing through.

[AUTOBOT]

#1 but in Gray

http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Images/msr_190_white.jpg

Get the Kumhos but the Ecsta MX's (not the 711 or 712)

[SWortham]

^ A little too late -- he already has #3 (MSR Wheels 113 Dark Gray 17x7).

[josefresco]

Finally, gaver her a good bath and snapped a pic before the sun dropped for good.

A really bad shot I know, I'll post a better one in the gallery when I replace this old camera.

http://josefresco.kissblogs.com/_photos/DSC000021.jpg