Hi Guys

I need your advise on the rims that I am purchasing for my 06' 380 ES.
I currently have the stock wheels with Dunlop Tyres (SP 300E) 215/60 R16 95V.

I am planning to purchase the G.Max Kaya Crystal Black (http://gmaxwheels.com/wheels.php?wheelname=Kaya-Crystal-Black) 16x7.

#1: Are these good rims, in terms of quality?
#2: Would I be able to use my current Dunlop tyres with these rims?
#3: Are these going to affect my fuel mileage a lot?

Thanks for your responses in advance.

Hi. Welcome aboard. Yeah those rims should slip straight into your stock tyres no problem. Quality should be good I guess, pending where they are sold/manufactured, etc (I'm not familiar with that brand), but provided sold through a reputable tyre shop, quality should be okay. Can't see that it would affect your mileage any what at all, should be all the same. My only strong recommendation is to get bigger than 16s. My base-level also had 16s and I replaced them with 19s, which I think look "just right" (but not huge - you need 20s for that). 16s look way too small on such a large car and I think anything under 19 will be the same... but that will all cost more of course. Your idea of keeping the tyres and changing the rims is definately a cheaper way out. Good luck. (Finally, the rims look okay)

Thanks for the quick reply!
So If I do switch to 19" alloys, I will have to get new tyres wont I?
Apologies for the obvious questions, noob here :P

PS: Your rims look awesome !

In my opinion, if you are going to run a small alloy wheel (on a 380, say 16" or 17") you would be far better off running factory alloys. Aftermarket alloys usually only look good when they're big (eg 18"+).

If you go for a different sized rim, you will need different tyres.

Heavier rims will increase your unsprung mass which will in return increase your fuel consumption. On a set of 16" rims I reckon the difference would be negligible. You may notice a difference with larger (and heavier) rims.

Alloy rims start to get heavy once you go anything under 50 series tyre.

While I really like the style of the Rim you chose.

IMO....
They would look like a half arsed attempt to cool in anything under a 19". Dont get me wrong, dont take offense, I'm just trying to be a bit funny here, but those in a 16" would be like your mum/wife didnt allow to get bigger ones..

I think for 16"s.. Dont spend any Money,

I think for 17"s 380 GT Wheels Mine (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0240-1.jpg)

18"s Try the Lancer VRX Factory Mag
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6687051741_f5dbd31610_b.jpg
Mecha-wombats Ride Thread (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74835&page=43)

Aftermarket wheel look like a big mistake, if you go too small, but when you go Bigger, then, and only then they start to look tough...

Since you owned up to being a NooB.....

Couple of points are, the larger the wheel diameter, the smaller the tyre wall height, which means the ride gets rougher the smaller the side wall..
Another downside of Big Rims, is slower entry/exits over gutters, and the chances of rim damage in potholes is increased too, Chips, Cracks, Breaks and buckles would be the type of random damage a owner might come across..
Tyres have different price points in different sizes too....

Heres a tyre size calculator, the idea is to have the same (Roughly) rolling diameter when you finish..
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Thanks Valdez and Shoot!
Don't worry Shoot, it didn't take any offence to what you said. It actually made sense.
I was trying to save some money with not replacing the tyres as well... Lol
Your opinion definitely helps. I might end up getting the 17/18" alloys.

The other posters are right - and have been nice enough to let you down gently, and politely, unlike some people on this site.

16" mags will be too small for a 380. I think 18s would be a good compromise. 19s look a little meaner again, but ride will suffer.

If you are good with photoshop and maths, take some photos of your car and then cut and paste some different size wheels onto the photo to get an idea.

Good luck - I think they will look great on a 380.

Thanks Valdez and Shoot!
Don't worry Shoot, it didn't take any offence to what you said. It actually made sense.
I was trying to save some money with not replacing the tyres as well... Lol
Your opinion definitely helps. I might end up getting the 17/18" alloys.

How much tread are there left on the current tyres. If not a lot, why not wait until they require changing and then see a tyre place for a package deal which normally works out cheaper.

IMO, don't get any aftermarket rims smaller than 18 inch.
U can try to get some USED 17" factory wheels w/ tyres. They won't cost a lot, but look much better.

If you get large diameter wheels that visibly show your brakes, the calipers may look dwarfed/tiny, so keep that in mind when selecting your style!

The 380 brakes are big enough compared with standard 3rd gens.

Thanks a lot everyone for your individual input.
As the tyres are new, I will wait till they are worn out and then get a set of 18" alloys.

PS: Random fact, The Royal Brunei Police use Misti 380!

l wouldn't get any aftermarket rims smaller than 18 inch but yes you will need tyres and here is a photo with my 380 with 18's on it.
http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p546/W_King/380%20with%20rims/IMG_0617.jpg

Here is my previous ES with 18" aftermarket rims
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag53/wingawsc/500_487a_50af2166_50af2166_526F672C_zpsf012d3fb.jp g
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag53/wingawsc/500_62b9_663e23f9_663e23f9_526F672C_zps2027a9bb.jp g

Here is my current SX with 18" Mazda CX-7 wheels. Just washed and waxed this afternoon.
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag53/wingawsc/DSC_6240_zps455916cd.jpg
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag53/wingawsc/DSC_6241_zpsef5be4c8.jpg
http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag53/wingawsc/DSC_6242_zps2422d7a3.jpg

Emmmmm, seems I should paint my headlight black in the next.

elfisin's post highlights how much the style of the wheel can make a difference

wheels that have spokes going to the edge of the rim can look a couple inches bigger than a rim with a centre & dish

Yup. I have 19's with a deep dish. They look like 18's from a distance.

Yeah, me too.

Sorry to revive this old thread but I am upgrading my 16" steel wheels to 18" rims.
At the moment, the tyres on the 16" wheel have Dunlop tyres (215/60/R16).
I am getting the 18" rims with Michelin tyres (225/40/R18).

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r663/Vaibhav_Singhal/IMG_20130429_020846_zps1f46ad4f.jpg

Can I get any suggestions on this being a good swap?
I checked the website (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html) and it is suggesting a decrease in circumference is that of serious concern?

In Victoria your tyre diamter cannot deviate from +/- 15mm from factory. I am not sure of the tyre size for the 16" wheels, but compared to the factory 17" wheels, they're abut 30mm smaller. This would make 225/40/18s illegal for your car. Plus, they'd look funny being so much smaller than standard.

If you go for 18" rims, 235/45/18 are the same diameter as the factory 215/55/17 tyres.

225/45r18 is also an alternative.

Thanks guys, Got the 235/45/18 tires.
Ride looks cool (Y)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r663/Vaibhav_Singhal/2013-05-03143212-1_zpsb091707d.jpg

:thumbsup:
Look up the price of the tower strut brace from Mitsubishi, its like under $30.00... Or grab one from a sponsor. Should help with any tramlining you might get.
And try out the SX/VRX/GT suspension. You'll be glad you did.

Or.

In before the rest...
Needs more Lo!

Shoot, where can I get some strut braces for under $30?

Just from the Mits dealerships. If you have a 380 Es or Db.

:thumbsup:
Look up the price of the tower strut brace from Mitsubishi, its like under $30.00... Or grab one from a sponsor. Should help with any tramlining you might get.
And try out the SX/VRX/GT suspension. You'll be glad you did.

Or.

In before the rest...
Needs more Lo!

Thnx Shoot, I will ask at the dealership, if they have any in stock.
Out of curiosity, how difficult is the installation (or is there any guide to do so) ?

PS: When you say, "Need more Lo!", is that a recommendation to lower the car? :P

Hmm, can the 380 strut brace be made to fit onto the 3rd gens?

Thnx Shoot, I will ask at the dealership, if they have any in stock.
Out of curiosity, how difficult is the installation (or is there any guide to do so) ?

PS: When you say, "Need more Lo!", is that a recommendation to lower the car? :P

It's child's play, just undo four nuts, slip it over the four bolts already in place, put the nuts back on & tighten them up again. All over in less then two minutes.
Just don't over torque the nuts, easy to snap a bolt off.

In Victoria your tyre diamter cannot deviate from +/- 15mm from factory. I am not sure of the tyre size for the 16" wheels, but compared to the factory 17" wheels, they're abut 30mm smaller. This would make 225/40/18s illegal for your car. Plus, they'd look funny being so much smaller than standard.

If you go for 18" rims, 235/45/18 are the same diameter as the factory 215/55/17 tyres.

Hey Red - Can you explain that to me (Victorian) - I'm not up with all of the profile stuff - does that mean that 19's are off the menu for me; or is it a complicated tyre and rim recipe?

Steve

Thanks guys, Got the 235/45/18 tires.
Ride looks cool (Y)

Yeah vbs - I love them, certainly look large enough IMO.

Steve

Hey Red - Can you explain that to me (Victorian) - I'm not up with all of the profile stuff - does that mean that 19's are off the menu for me; or is it a complicated tyre and rim recipe?


Check out the Wheel and Tyre guide I wrote in the DIY & FAQ section.

Check out the Wheel and Tyre guide I wrote in the DIY & FAQ section.

Thanks Red - I hadn't seen that before.

Steve

Sorry to hijack thread but I am looking at a set of 18's with the offset below will these fit ok without scraping anything etc etcon my SX 380?

18 x 8.5, +42 Offset, 5 x 114.3 (Front), 18 x 9.5, +42 Offset, 5 x 114.3 (Rear) I like the current alloys but they are too narrow (7's)

aren't staggered wheels illegal on FWDs? Rears can't be wider than fronts. You will have to take the tyres off each time you rotate the them.

I don't think I've seen anyone run wider than 8.5" wide on a 380. The rears may fit depending on tyre size but I wouldn't offer any guarantees.

Staggered looks silly on a FWD though.

Thanks for the replies but does some one no if they fit for sure or point me to someone who does?

Nobody here will recommend an illegal wheel fitment. You could try one of those sites that allows you to enter stock size and alt size and it will tell you if there will be issues like sticking out too much or hitting the suspension arms.

No, I am not after recommendations just seeing if anybody has the knowledge to tell me if they will fit or not as per my post

No one is answering because nobody has done it. For 18x9.5 wheels with +42 offset, you will need 245/40 tyres. This combination will cause the tyres to be 11mm closer to suspension and stick out 19mm and the overall diameter will be 9mm bigger compared with oem 17x7 with +46 offset and 215/55 tyres. Now with that in mind, park your car on a level ground and see if going in 11mm, out 19mm and up 4.5mm still fits. Ensure you do it with a full tank and reasonable weight in boot and cabin. The reason I mentioned 245 wide tyres is 235 is not allowed on 9.5" rims.

You need to read up on tyres and wheels and understand the various information. You don't want to buy wheels that you can't find tyres to fit to remain legal.

No one is answering because nobody has done it. For 18x9.5 wheels with +42 offset, you will need 245/40 tyres. This combination will cause the tyres to be 11mm closer to suspension and stick out 19mm and the overall diameter will be 9mm bigger compared with oem 17x7 with +46 offset and 215/55 tyres. Now with that in mind, park your car on a level ground and see if going in 11mm, out 19mm and up 4.5mm still fits. Ensure you do it with a full tank and reasonable weight in boot and cabin. The reason I mentioned 245 wide tyres is 235 is not allowed on 9.5" rims.

You need to read up on tyres and wheels and understand the various information. You don't want to buy wheels that you can't find tyres to fit to remain legal.

Thanks

You'd be hard pressed trying to get a 9.5 wide wheel on a 380 unless you start changing things as Red Valdez said. I'm running 20x8.5 on mine and I scrub on big bumps in the front. Only because the coil over suspension has been set up so it sits low. Clearance in the rear would also be an issue, mine sits reasonably close to the rolled lip in the guard with a +40 offset.

You'd be hard pressed trying to get a 9.5 wide wheel on a 380 unless you start changing things as Red Valdez said. I'm running 20x8.5 on mine and I scrub on big bumps in the front. Only because the coil over suspension has been set up so it sits low. Clearance in the rear would also be an issue, mine sits reasonably close to the rolled lip in the guard with a +40 offset.

I appreciate the input . I was looking at a new set of wheels designed for a supra and the price was great. Sounds like 8.5 is the limit though. I think 7 inch wheels look like cheese cutters on a car the size of the 380.

Slowtl, unless you are going to fit 245 wide or wider tyres you wont need 8.5" wide wheels. 8" is wide enough otherwise the wheels protrude the tyres so to speak and the tyres offer no protection against gutter rash.

Thanks Vlad I think 235's should be wide enough they look wide on my TL . I think I will do a swap over the weekend to check how wide they look.

slowtl if you're going for 18s I would look at 245/45 tyres. They are larger than OEM (but still legal) so they will fill the guards better. They are also OEM size on VE Commodores so there's plenty of choices at good prices. I would go for them over 235/45/18 (which is same OD as OEM).

slowtl if you're going for 18s I would look at 245/45 tyres. They are larger than OEM (but still legal) so they will fill the guards better. They are also OEM size on VE Commodores so there's plenty of choices at good prices. I would go for them over 235/45/18 (which is same OD as OEM).

now you have me thinking...all comes down to budget (wife's budget) but i think that size is the solution.

Just bought a set of Lancer VRX Ralliart 18" rims for my Series 3 GT -my stock 380 GT alloys are currently running 215/55ZR/17 Maxtrek Ingens (huh?) tyres, and wet weather grip is lack-lustre, to say the least!

They were on the car when I got it four months ago - no problem in the dry, but as soon as the road's wet, I start understeering through corners, and at roundabouts (and at "granny" speeds, too!).

So, to go on the Lancer rims, I'm following the advice in Red Valdez's post, and currently looking at 245/45/18 Bridgestone Potenzas (second-hand, 80-85% tread) - any thoughts? The bulk of my driving (ie: 99%) is done in 60-70kph zones, rarely ever on the freeway, etc, so I don't need the higher-end performance stuff - just after something that's comfortable, and grippy in the wet...

Just bought a set of Lancer VRX Ralliart 18" rims for my Series 3 GT... So, to go on the Lancer rims, I'm following the advice in Red Valdez's post, and currently looking at 245/45/18 Bridgestone Potenzas (second-hand, 80-85% tread) - any thoughts? The bulk of my driving (ie: 99%) is done in 60-70kph zones, rarely ever on the freeway, etc, so I don't need the higher-end performance stuff - just after something that's comfortable, and grippy in the wet...
245 tyres are more suit to 8-8.5" wide rims. They'll be bloody wide on the Ralliart wheels, which are only 7" wide (same as your factory GT wheels).

I would look at 225/45/18 tyres, which are smaller than OEM. The only other size that works IMO is 225/50/18 but they're as rare as hens teeth in Australia.

245/45/18 would probably physically fit but I imagine it would be detrimental to your steering feel.

245/45R18 needs minimum of 7.5" rims to be legal. There isn't that much sidewall to work with and will look silly with a huge bulging sidewall. Best bet and easy to get tyre as Red mentioned is the 225/45R18 or go for the again, more expensive 235/45R18.

Thanks, guys - 225/45R18 it is, then!