Hey guys,

Since it's just about time for summer tires up in the Chicago area here I'm trying to decide what I want to do as far as tires/wheels are concerned. So far I've kind of decided on Kosei K1's and some Azeni's because of the bang-for-the-buck factor of the whole package. Last I looked I could get 4 K1's and tires for like $800ish on tire rack which isn't that bad. What size/offset rim do I want to get to be the most versitile for brake upgrades down the road, as well as being able to fit a wide variety of performance tires?

I understand the reason azeni's feel 'sloppy' on stock rims is because they're a wide tire, and need a wider rim, so would something like a 16x7 inch rim, or 15x7.5 inch be too much? I don't want to have to re-buy my rims, I guess, is my point if I decide to run something besides azeni's with stock brakes.

Any help would be much appreciated. I've tried to talk to the morons at Discount Tire regarding this, but it seems they are staffed by people who are so stupid, if a sperm bank was dry their donations would be turned away.

 

I have Azenis on 15x6 rims, no problems at all. Tirerack is apparently out of +45 offset K1's, all they have is +38. The Azenis may 'feel' better on 7 inch rims, but they work file on 6" rims also.

What are you referring to whe you say "brake upgrades"?

If you want 15x7 and cheap, get Stern Aguzze with some 205/50/15 Azenis.

 

I would have to say 15x7 would be my choice. I am currently runnnig a 6.5", but am loking for something that will fit the Azenis a little bit better. A 15x7 would complemet the Azenis better, fit a 205 R compound better, and can fit a 225 if ever necessary

 

Spefically the spoon or NSX calipurs, I've read some posts about some rims not clearing them. I don't want to buy a set of rims then down the road if I decide to get some phatty brakes finding out they won't fit

 

do they make azenis in 195/55 - 15?

 

No.

 

I believe the smallest 15 they make is 205/50VR15?

 

15x7" rotas are going to be available soon. That might be a good choice, but I don't know what rims will fit over spoon calipers.

 

Do Rotas still have the same quality issues they used to have? I remember reading stories about paint peeling off new wheels

 

I don't know. I have never read about any quality problems save for the incident with the Rota Attacks on a WRX at autox. Then again, the same WRX ripped through one of the stock rims, too.

 

15x7 would be a good size for most applications, and give you an option to run 225. Not that a 225 won't fit on a 6" stock rim, just that a 7" rim would be a better fit for such a wide tire.

I have 2 sets of track wheels: 15x6.5 (TE37) and 15x7 (K1).
Reason I got the 6.5 is that it's the lightest rim that can fit a 205 track tire.

 

Wouldn't 225's rub like nobody's business though?

 

hmmm...i'd love 15x7 5 lug Rota C8's

 

225/45 fits good. 225/50 causes problems. (sometimes you need spacers for 225/45, sometimes not, depends on offset) Who want to spend big $$ on 225's? Maybe on the track, but on the street?

 

not that i've heard about.. 9 months on my slipstreams, including this horrendous Maryland winter, and no problems so far..

 

In the front, it depends on wheel offset and ride height of your car. Some people are running them without any rubbing problem. As for the back, it rubs the trailing arm a little bit.

[e]For street use, no need to get 225.....


[Modified by Wai, 11:04 AM 3/19/2003]

 

I've always really liked how wide tires look, it's the recessive ricer gene in me I think

 

A 15x7 k1 with a 38 offset should clear most calipers, and you may or may not have rubbing issues with the fender, depending on ride height

 

I have Azenis on 15x6.5 hehe. Stupid rotas.

 

Hmm... If I wanted to run 15x7's with a 225/45/15 tire, would +38 rub with stock ride height, or would I need a +45ish?

 

I would run 205/50 on the street, not 225/45.

 

225/45/15 and 225/50/15 are sizes that R compounds come in.

You are looking at 205/50/15 for street tires.

 

Same here. No real problems, other than a tad sloppy feeling I think. BUt maybe I'm just crazy. I think a 7" wheels would suit teh tire much better.

As per a 225 tire, tire selection isn't that great so I don't really know why you would want to run it on the street. Besides, 205 Azenis are almost as wide as any 225 tire out there surprisingly enough

 

Alright then 205/50 wouldn't rub on a 15x7 +45, correct?

 

No rubbing.