My Ap1 stock tires are about done and I'm thinking of upgrading. The wheels I'm looking at are not 100% ideal, but are cheap and might work. Here are the details:

(4) 17x7.5 et 45 all with 225/45/17 mounted.

According to the guide, here is what it means for me.

For the front:
6.5” to 7.5” wide wheel: 205 tires: +43 offset minimum
7.0” to 8.0” wide wheel: 215 tires: +48 offset minimum
7.0” to 8.0” wide wheel: 225 tires: +53 offset minimum


For the rear:
7.5” to 8.5” wide wheel: 235 tires: +40 offset minimum
7.5” to 9.0” wide wheel: 245 tires: +45 offset minimum


Front: +8 over - (or replace with a 215 tire)
Rear: Would need to replace 225 w/245


The fronts I could live with as my car has a VERY conservative drop. In fact, I could add a spacer to the rear to even it out. However, it's that 7.5 rear wheel that bugs me. Any thoughts?

 

What wheels and what do you define as "cheap"? "Cheap" and "inexpensive" are different. I would never want to put cheap wheels on my S2000. I also never would put anything that skinny on the rear. If you are on a budget I have a couple suggestions that would be a lot better.

 

Konig's. The car isn't tracked, etc. So quality isn't that big of an issue. Plus, these would be in the $400 range with tires. When comparing, I can replace my ap1 tires for the price or buy used wheels with tires for a similar or lesser price.

I actually did the math and here are the results

Konig vs AP1
Front
Inner 3mm less
Outer 23mm more

Rear
Inner 20mm more
Outer 20mm more

Konig vs AP2
Front
Inner 6mm less
Outer 6mm more

Rear
Inner 13mm less
Outer 13mm more

This may not seem like much of an "upgrade" considering the wheel width is similar to my ap1's but the reality is that the contact patch will remain similar.

 

It doesn't matter if you are tracking your car or not...wheels and tires make a HUGE difference in terms of performance, especially on a car like ours where handling is it's greatest asset. And what kind of tires can you get with wheels under $400?? Cheap tires also make a huge difference. It is better to spend the $400-500 on some halfway decent (or preferably good tires) and stick with your AP1 wheels. If you want a custom look, try painting them.

The reality is that what you are considering is most likely a "downgrade" not an "upgrade". But, it is your car, so do what you wish. Just giving my opinion.

 

IMO, either way you need new tires so just consider the cost of the wheels alone. In order to make the best of the 7.5" non-staggered wheels, I would run 215/45 and 245/40. A 245 rear tire is pushing the limit of a 7.5" wheel but it can be done. 225/45 all around is not a good situation, especially if the tires aren't high quality.

 

Assuming all things equal, my rear tires are compromised in terms of aspect ratio only while the front wheel/tire width grows. If tire quality isn't compromised, how is it a downgrade?

 

Because the tire won't act properly on a 1" narrower rim than it was designed for. There are PLENTY of wheels out there that will work fine on our car. I would recommend finding another set. You don't even have to spend a lot of money. I'd use OEM long before I went with an aftermarket 7.5" rear wheel.

 

For the record the tires are TOYO PROXES-4 TIRES. 225/45ZR1794W

 

The sidewalls are merely 4.6mm beyond the rim. Not the entire 8+ inches that a 245mm tire is over a 7.5" wheel.

 

$400? Are these used? Or are the wheels really THAT cheap?