Okay... so I'm not looking at doing anything too radical. Just want something a little different. Im thinking of something in an 18" size to clear some brakes I have on the horizon. I would rather not go 19" if possible, but I would consider it. I want the tires to be tallish, at least 27", 28" would be better.

Wheels: 18x9 all four corners

Tires: 275/45-18 all four corners

Here's the tricky part... I don't like just about all aftermarket wheels. I want something very understated, in a 5 spoke design. I don't like the open look of 95% of the wheels out there. I'm thinking along the lines of the AR Torqelite:



Or even more plain than that. Problem is the largest size they make is 18x8. I could run 255/45-18 with an 18x8 but I'd rather go a little wider than that, which makes the 18x9 more necessary.

Tires I'm not too picky on. Again, I'd like to find something a bit understated. A plain sidewall is a good sidewall.

Any suggestions? Should I just go with the 18x8 and stick with the 255/45-18's?

Thanks in advance! FWIW, it's going on this car, which will carry the "plain and simple" theme further once I remove the belt-line trim and put in a DCM bumper filler:

Hey Kevin - Chris pointed me out here today and said you were talking about some 18s. I ran 18x8s on two wagons, both with 5" backspace. Had no problems. That is the "safe" size. If you want to go wider you certainly can but you'll need to take careful measurements on your rear end to see what will fit on your particular car and what BS you need. I believe my tires are 235/45 but I'm not 100% positive and they're on the rack where I can't get to them right at the moment. I used the tire size calculator to match up whatever 235x18 would be the stock height, as I wanted to keep that.

As for wheels, I'd highly recommend checking out the Centerline offering. They have some understated "classic" designs and they are forged which makes them both stronger and lighter. I've seen plenty of ARE wheels junked after hitting a pothole or something, and the Centerlines hold up better. I paid $159 each for my Centerline Archer 18x8s new, A-stock, straight from the factory.
http://centerlinewheels.com/

that's some revisionist history there... I was happy about my LIFT! and I still am. I was happy about the 18s on another day.

Thanks, Mike & Chris for pointing me that way. Yes, it seems Centerline is right in line with what I'm thinking from a design standpoint. This one is my favorite:



Mike, you still have that car? That thing has always been one of my favorites...

Nope, alas I had a brain fart and sold it, but it's in good hands. ArlingtonSS has it down in Texas now.

Yeah if you go with the 8" wide wheel you'll be fine on clearance with those sizes. Part of the reason I went with the 235s was the price. Seemed like it jumped a lot when you went up from there, and as you found the selection was limited. I was pretty happy with the Radial TA KDWs I had.

TIME TO VOTE!

Hehe. I have it narrowed down to two. One is more expensive than the other but I'm not too worried about that... the total cost of the project will only change by 10% or so. So betwen the two wheels below, which do y'all like better?

OPTION 1





OPTION 2

Option one.

While I always liked the 'old' aluminum slots, just not quite feeling those (option 2).

Have to agree with Mike on this one... #1

Yeah, I was thinkin' option 1 as well. Cool. They are a little salty pricewise because they are new, but I think they'll look killer on the wagon. Especially when I get disc brakes all around.

I like #1! Can't go wrong with that one, Kev! I considered it myself!

#2 may look better on a Buick, I think. (and by that, I mean the second rim choice, btw )

I am pretty sure you could fit a 9.5" wheel with no issues. I think I may try bolting up my 18x9.5 C5's with 275/40's on the Marshmallow this week.

That's what i was thinking ......while I like option 1...(have always like the classic 5 spoke look ) I think the 2nd option would look good on a woody.

I don't envy you...this is a tough choice ....they both look good.

Maybe someone can photo shop them on a wagon.

OR, you could buy two of each and just do the pairs on each side.

Greg72 wrote:

That's what i was thinking ......while I like option 1...(have always like the classic 5 spoke look ) I think the 2nd option would look good on a woody. I don't envy you...this is a tough choice ....they both look good. Maybe someone can photo shop them on a wagon.

Option 1 without a doubt, but I'm biased with the Imp wheelz

So...since I did not see you at 'Fest....

What did you end up getting??

PICS!!!

And what wheels are YOU going to run on that fine piece of GM machinery, BROKECELLO?

QUE?