New wheels and spacer

[johnf]

Need advice - I'd like to put on a set of 17" wheels but its almost impossible to find a set of et15 4x114.3 wheels to fit the native hubs.

I've read various articles that warn against using different offset as that strains and wears out bearings. I'm wondering if I buy a set of "standard" wheels and use a good spacer to bring the offset to 15 say will that pose the strain and wear problem of using wheels with the wrong off set.

Has anyone done this, got any advice as to wheels and spacers, for example what is needed to fit an et35 based wheel.

Thanks,

John

[RRHANS]

Should not be a problem.
As long as you do not alter the track, there is no extra strain.

I have been looking at this company.
http://www.imagewheels.co.uk
They can make the right offset and stud patern
They also show (technical page) how to calculate the offset when you alter the rim width.
not excactly cheap but interesting
I like the BPS classic build

[NickC]

I wonder how much these would be if we got a few people togrther and had a batch of these made?

Should not be a problem.
As long as you do not alter the track, there is no extra strain.

I have been looking at this company.
http://www.imagewheels.co.uk
They can make the right offset and stud patern
They also show (technical page) how to calculate the offset when you alter the rim width.
not excactly cheap but interesting
I like the BPS classic build

[johnf]

Image wheels are very nice but for 17x7 they are £1000 +VAT +Tyres. Most online shops will do a set of wheels and tyres for £600 ish inc VAT. Big difference for a car that is realistically valued at £3000 - £4000 (89 180 se in Med blue in very nice condition)

Anyone any thoughts about suitable spacers ?

John

[johnf]

Had a good rummage around on google and found quite a lot of adapters and spacers. Like the look of this company

https://adaptitusa.com/index.asp?PageAc ... Category=3

If you had the choice what aftermarket wheels would you fit (adapters need to be a four bolt solution) Ford, Vauxhall, VW, Audi

Thanks

[MrCoolA]

I will go with Image Wheels, i would get what i think suits the car and what i like regardless of cost. i will never get my money back and surely at this level thats the risk of buying a classic.
I would go with these
BRM6 • Classic build
17" shown with Coverplate and Spinner

[RRHANS]

What size do you of rim width do you have in mind
7" or 8"
Will you change the offset?

I was thinking 17x8 offset 0
215 40 17 tyres which are +1.31% which fall within the Belgian law of +1.5% over original size

[NickC]

What size do you of rim width do you have in mind
7" or 8"
Will you change the offset?

I was thinking 17x8 offset 0
215 40 17 tyres which are +1.31% which fall within the Belgian law of +1.5% over original size

Wouldn't these rub at the front on the anti-roll bar like 225's do?

[RRHANS]

Correct me if i am wrong but if the offset goes from 8 to 0 this means that the wheel is 8mm further out (wider track)
wheel arch better filled and tires further away from ARB.

[AndyC]

I concurr.
I thought positive offset means the hub to wheel mating surface is further out than the centre of the wheel, so moving from +8 to 0 makes the mating surface further in relative to the wheel. As the hub isn't being moved that means the wheel must be moved outwards.

[flatout]

i am running these wheels to the left on 225's all round, they dont rub on the arb, but do rub slightly on the back of the wheel arch at full lock, they have a similar offset to originals.
They are compomotives, but dont ask what model, i havent a clue, never seen another set before but just to say there are other retro alternetives to buying new.
Chris

[RRHANS]

Are your compomotives 7 or 8 inch wide?

[flatout]

ha ha i didnt know, so just been out to the drive to measure and they are indeed 8 inches wide.

[RRHANS]

How did you measure?
On the outside of the rim?

[flatout]

yeah just roughly with a tape but it is clearly 8" rather than 7"