turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Hi guyths.

So, my tires are pretty much shot, mostly due to the fact that I like to go sideways. The stock wheels are a hefty 26 lbs apiece, so I want some lighter ones and slightly wider ones.

Here's what I'm thinking: Stock wheels are 17x8, stock tire size is 245/45-17 all the way around.

I really like the balance of the car currently, and I like being able to rotate tires, so if possible I think i'd like to keep the same size tires all around. Pleas tell me if this is a dumb reason to want to keep the same size tires all around.

Because I like to go sideways, I don't want to be spending $1k every time I need new tires, and a smaller wheel and tire package will handle better and be lighter. So I want to stay with 17's.

I'm thinking to go with 17x9's with 255-45-17 all the way around. Discount Tire has two options for wheels, each with different finishes: Beyern Bavaria in Silver



or black:



Or TSW Panorama in Black:



Silver:



Or Bronze:



Follow this link to see more photos of the black and bronze TSWs on toyobarus: toyobaru dreamers

The TSW's weigh about one pound more than the Beyerns (20 lbs vs. 19) and they cost about $15 apiece more after rebate.

For tires, we're looking at the Kumho ASX all-seasons or Hankook Ventus V4. I want an all-season because I drive my car year round and we get cold rain and some snow. Open to other tire suggestions but these are both under $135 per tire, and both have mileage warranties... which I will utilize, heavily. Leaning towards the hankook because it seems like they'll give a little better dry grip.

For the wheels, I'm leaning towards the TSWs in Bronze. I feel like the black ones get lost and just prompt one to look at the brakes. The silvers are too much like what I have, though I admit they would look very, very nice. I think the bronze will give just enough pop to look good without being too shouty.

I feel like the Beyern Bavarias are just too tuner-ish.

Thoughts?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

That 2nd set would probably look better on a goat.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

TSWs in 17xALLTHEWIDE and wrap them in ALLTHERUBBER.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

The TSW's? I agree. Which finish?

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

I wish they made 6ULs in my bolt pattern and 17's. Would buy.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

pretty sure the 6ULR would fit that

18psi

iTrader: (76)

17x9 6ULR wheel

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

Bronze finish.

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

GTOs are 5x120, so 6ULRs won't help him. They're also VERY offset sensitive. There's not a lot of room in that wheel well.

I like the TSWs more than the Bayerns. As a rule Bayerns are pretty soft castings, and bend a lot.

What color is your car? Are you willing to hunt around? I would check the 5x120 section on the VW Vortex Wheel and Tire Classifieds, and maybe VRWheels or some of the other used wheel importers.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

5X100 :( I'm 5x120.

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

Need 5x108mm for the ST. Not now, but damn they are hard to find. I like the bronze. Black would be for me.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

My car is black, otherwise I'd be going more for black wheels. But matte black on black makes your car look like this:
Photo :: <b>Stock GTO 18"</b> <font color=red><b>slammin86</b></font><br><br>

Which I think looks terrible. Need some contrast somewhere. I think the bronze would be just right.

Yeah the cars are very, very offset sensitive. I figure I'll need to roll the fenders a bit. Good car to learn on since mine isn't very clean

Opti

Id say do some Fikse FM5s but then I would say that for almost any car, favorite wheel.


I do also love me some CCWs, I think the 505A is the wheel of choice for goats.


Also the 550s


CCW is getting a 10" in the rear without rubbing.

Most go with TSWs though and I prefer the Panorama

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

I looked at the Fikses, then stopped looking when I saw the price! OUCH! beautiful wheels though.

I can't find CCWs in any of the styles I like in 17" size. They make smaller in some wheels and bigger in others, but no 17's! I want to stay with 17's, preferably 17x9s.

Also, I know I can fit a larger wheel in the back. However, as I mentioned in my initial post, I don't want a staggered setup. I am not building this car for straight line speed or for shows. I like to drive it, and I like the handling balance it has now. I don't want to mess that up with staggered fitment, and I want to be able to rotate the tires, so no directional tread.

I know there are a lot of stipulations. But this way I am restricted to a limited number of options, which is a good thing for me

Thanks for the input!!

Opti

Maybe some billet specialties wheels. Mostly the drag guys use them but they do come in a 17x9.5

Cant find any 17s on goats but found them on a mustang


The ones I like are called street lites. The come in customer offset/backspacing, are supposed to be pretty light and are only about 300 a wheel.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Those are really nice looking wheels! Very classic American design, which is cool. I think I'm looking for a different style but I would totally consider those if not for two problems: first, the small problem: they're likely too wide. Chances of fitting 9.5" under the front of the GTO are.... Nil.

Bigger problem is price. $335/wheel is just toooo much. Good price for what they are, since they seem similar quality to Fikse but that's outta my range. The TSWs are a stretch at $230/wheel.

Sorry I never mentioned a budget before. I am looking at like $1350 ish for 4 wheels and tires installed and balanced for the TSWs. At first that seemed like a lot but the more I research the more I realize that's a pretty great deal.

Opti

Some guys have got BBS LM Reps to fit, I think they may be more common in 18s though.
On a GTO.


Niche Targas?

vehicular

iTrader: (3)

Loads of 5x120 stuff in here:


Other Bolt Patterns Classifieds



Also look on the various BWM forums.


Also, the common Varstooooerrnnenenin LM reps like to come apart at speed. There are many examples of this floating around online.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Those bbs reps look good, but unlikely to find in 17's and probably wouldn't look that good to me... too busy.

I LOVE the Niche Targa though. Your suggestion prompted me to dig deeper and I did actually find some in 17" but only 17x8. Seriously considering just going with 17x8 at this point, this is being too much of a headache.

Found the Targas in 18x9.5 for under $200 which is incredibly tempting but tires are so much more expensive and I don't think I've got any chance at fitting that under the front.

Also seriously considering going with the stock size tires on the stock wheels and putting the money into suspension instead. Heaven knows the car needs it.

How much difference would 6 lbs per corner really make?

18psi

iTrader: (76)