Best wheels and tyres
- Thread starter IRD
- Start date
Hi
After a lot of consideration, I bought the 108s advertised by a fellow member today. I really liked the way the 108s looked on Steve's car and that helped me make the final decision. Plus I felt more comfortable buying from a forum member rather than EBay or Gumtree. It was a really easy transaction. Very friendly and I was very happy with final price. Plus we met half way to effect the sale. One wheel has a minor scuff and that goes in to be dealt with tomorrow. So by the end of the week I'll have my new wheels bolted on. One final query, the old chestnut, spacers. I agree with the observations stating that they help to improve the cars appearence but do they increase stress and wear on the likes of the wheel bearings? Being well into my second childhood and a bit cautious I'm just not sure which path to follow. My car will only be used during the Summer months and I only expect to cover about 3500 miles each year. I would really value the experiences of those members who have them on their cars.
I would also like to thank everyone who has responded to my initial post and helped me to choose my wheels.
Kind Regards
After a lot of consideration, I bought the 108s advertised by a fellow member today. I really liked the way the 108s looked on Steve's car and that helped me make the final decision. Plus I felt more comfortable buying from a forum member rather than EBay or Gumtree. It was a really easy transaction. Very friendly and I was very happy with final price. Plus we met half way to effect the sale. One wheel has a minor scuff and that goes in to be dealt with tomorrow. So by the end of the week I'll have my new wheels bolted on. One final query, the old chestnut, spacers. I agree with the observations stating that they help to improve the cars appearence but do they increase stress and wear on the likes of the wheel bearings? Being well into my second childhood and a bit cautious I'm just not sure which path to follow. My car will only be used during the Summer months and I only expect to cover about 3500 miles each year. I would really value the experiences of those members who have them on their cars.
I would also like to thank everyone who has responded to my initial post and helped me to choose my wheels.
Kind Regards
I run mine 10mm spacers all round, which at that width won't add much extra stress. You can fit more like 12mm front and 15mm rear but I was getting a small amount of rubbing just with 10mm at the front before I increased the negative camber. I also wanted to keep the same relative track widths as a wider rear induces more understeer, not something the car needs. So if you like how they look on mine then 10mm H&R is the way to go. Before that they did look a bit far in.
Hi Steve
Thanks for the information. The car came with spacers already on it With the 16 inch wheels but I'm not sure of their size. The back ones certainly look wider than 10mm. Following your suggestion seems to be a sensible compromise. What exactly should I order and where is the best place to get them from? Somewhere like Demon Tweeks seems to have a good range but when I originally looked I noticed there were two bolts with different numbers. I need to make sure I order the correct fit etc.
Thanks for the information. The car came with spacers already on it With the 16 inch wheels but I'm not sure of their size. The back ones certainly look wider than 10mm. Following your suggestion seems to be a sensible compromise. What exactly should I order and where is the best place to get them from? Somewhere like Demon Tweeks seems to have a good range but when I originally looked I noticed there were two bolts with different numbers. I need to make sure I order the correct fit etc.
I bought my spacers from here: http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l...1223cd3a67708df9b5939c22b6abf88e4d08d4&000985
Sometimes they have a discount on performance parts which prompted me to use them. They're a decent price anyway though.
Bolt wise you're looking for M12 x 1.5 threads 35mm long. I bought a set of 16 in black on eBay for £15.99 from alloy-wheel-solutions-uk and a set of locking wheel bolts with the same dimensions made by Bimecc for £9.99 (silver though) from another seller.
Sometimes they have a discount on performance parts which prompted me to use them. They're a decent price anyway though.
Bolt wise you're looking for M12 x 1.5 threads 35mm long. I bought a set of 16 in black on eBay for £15.99 from alloy-wheel-solutions-uk and a set of locking wheel bolts with the same dimensions made by Bimecc for £9.99 (silver though) from another seller.
IRD said:
Interesting that your 16" came with spacers? Not very common to put spacers on 16's!!
Can't you use the ones that came with the car? Normally people run 10-12mm on the front and 20mm on the back.
Before spending any money I'd check what you have ATM doesn't 'work' with your new 108's 8)
Hi Kis
I might well do that. The wheel with the scuff on it is being attended to. So when it is ready for collection I'll get them to swap the wheels over and see what the situation is. I contacted the guy who sold me the car about the size of the spacers. He wasn't sure of the size but thought they were 10mm all round but I think the back ones are wider than the front. So we'll see. I am going to test the water with the runflats too. See how comfortable they are. Because I will be using the car during the Summer it will take quite some time to wear them out. I have been reading about the Uniroyal Rainsport on the forums and they seem like a reasonably priced option with good reviews. What do you think?
I might well do that. The wheel with the scuff on it is being attended to. So when it is ready for collection I'll get them to swap the wheels over and see what the situation is. I contacted the guy who sold me the car about the size of the spacers. He wasn't sure of the size but thought they were 10mm all round but I think the back ones are wider than the front. So we'll see. I am going to test the water with the runflats too. See how comfortable they are. Because I will be using the car during the Summer it will take quite some time to wear them out. I have been reading about the Uniroyal Rainsport on the forums and they seem like a reasonably priced option with good reviews. What do you think?
Neilc said:
Very niiice 8)
IRD said:
Have a look at this one mate. RS3 Thread.
I think the only down side to them is they can wear slightly faster (than premium brands - Uniroyals are listed as "mid-range")... but not a deal breaker IMO.
Hi Kis
Thanks for the info. I had already looked at that thread. I will only do 3/4 thousand miles a years so wear isn't likely to be a big issue. A local quote for 4 tyres fitted and balanced was £360 which isn't bad. I could save a few extra pounds buying them on line but by the time fitting charges are taken into account there is very little difference.
Finally got my wheels on today, a big improvement . I'll include some photos when I've worked out how to do it. They look good and the runflats have quite a bit of tread on them but they are 10 years old so I really need to get some new rubber quickly. The existing spacers were fine although I think the rears are 15mm. I'll replace them soon too.
Think I might have managed the photos!
Thanks for the info. I had already looked at that thread. I will only do 3/4 thousand miles a years so wear isn't likely to be a big issue. A local quote for 4 tyres fitted and balanced was £360 which isn't bad. I could save a few extra pounds buying them on line but by the time fitting charges are taken into account there is very little difference.
Finally got my wheels on today, a big improvement . I'll include some photos when I've worked out how to do it. They look good and the runflats have quite a bit of tread on them but they are 10 years old so I really need to get some new rubber quickly. The existing spacers were fine although I think the rears are 15mm. I'll replace them soon too.
Think I might have managed the photos!