Changing wheels

[NSXJim]

Hi all,

I am a very excited new owner of a 1991 Berlina black/ivory NSX. It has the 1991 OEM rims. I am interested in either getting used OEM NSX rims of later years, 1997-2001 or perhaps aftermarket rims. But, I need lots of education before I make the switch. Appreciate all your advice on the following questions:

1. What size rims are too large? I am interested in 17 or 18" rims for the rear and 16 or 17" rims for the front.

2. Are modifications to the suspension system needed for '91 NSX to accomodate the larger wheel size?

3. What is "offset"?

Thank you,
Jim

 

[nsxtasy]

I am a very excited new owner of a 1991 Berlina black/ivory NSX.

Congratulations!

1. What size rims are too large? I am interested in 17 or 18" rims for the rear and 16 or 17" rims for the front.

Those sizes are fine. Many owners are using 16"/17" wheels, or 17"/18" wheels, front/rear, without problems.

The 16"/17" wheels allow you to use those great-handling, sticky OEM tires (Yokohama A022H or Bridgestone RE010) that are designed specifically for the NSX. With 17"/18" wheels, you can get lots of general-application tires in the most commonly used sizes of 215/40-17 front and 255/35-18 or 265/35-18 rear.

2. Are modifications to the suspension system needed for '91 NSX to accomodate the larger wheel size?

No modifications are needed. Incidentally, you should be choosing tire sizes (see above) whose outer diameter is approximately equal to that of the stock tires.

3. What is "offset"?

Click here.

 

[NSXJim]

18" front and rear wheels?

Thanks for the infor Nsxtasy.

I am considering the following rims and tires for sale. What do you think about them for 91 stock nsx?

Thanks,
Jim

__________________________________________

Almost BRAND NEW 18" BBS RGR Forsale
BBS RGR - Forged Wheel w/ Diamond Black Finish

Front - 18x7.5 Offset 45
Rear - 18x10 Offset 42

Front Tires - Kumho Ecsta MX 215/35-18
Rear Tires - Kumho Ecsta MX 275/35-18

I have used it for 68 miles, Just got it on Friday, and the car won't be driven again till next sunday. I am selling it because I finally talked myself into spending the extra money for a set of HRE wheels.

Brand new from Tirerack $2,736 plus shipping.

This set can be yours for $2,550 SHIPPED! I have perfect feedback on ebay under "wheelfanatics". I've sold just about every car part I've ever owned online and can provide you with references.

 

[nsxtasy]

I am considering the following rims and tires for sale. What do you think about them for 91 stock nsx?

Well, the "look" of wheels is a matter of personal preference, so I can't comment on that.

However...

- Kumho MX would not be my choice of tires for the NSX. They are very good tires known for being cheaper than, and almost as good as, the best tires around. For the NSX, I would prefer to get one of the very best tires around, such as the Bridgestone S-03.

- 18" front wheels have some serious disadvantages, notably increased susceptibility to damage from potholes due to the extremely low sidewall height, limited tire selection, more expensive tires, etc. And personally, I think the "look" with low sidewalls in front and not as low in back is somewhat unbalanced.

- The price on this package is not all that different from brand new. You're only saving ~$300, assuming ~$100 for shipping. Presumably that's because the package is, for all practical purposes, brand new. If you were going to buy this EXACT package anyway, then it might make sense to save a few hundred bucks. If you weren't, and are simply looking for a great deal, though, look elsewhere (or else get what you REALLY want, and don't worry about saving a few hundred bucks).

 

[NSXJim]

Shopping recommendations

Thanks again for your expertise. I was a bit concerned about 18" being too big for the front.

I searched on TireRack.com for their recommended rims for 91 NSX. TireRack returned only 5 different aftermarket rims:

BBS LM 17x7.5 F $679 18x9 R $853
O.Z. Superleggera 17x8 F $280 18x9 R $375
O.Z. Superleggera III 18x8 F $740 19x10 R $915
SSR Competition 17x7.5 F $355 18x9.5 R $449
SSR GT3 18x7.5 F $519 19x10 R $639

My questions are:
1. I like the rims on the special Alex Zanardi Edition NSX (they look similar to the previously mentioned 18" BBS BBS RGR rims for sale). Is there a place where I can find out the manufacture and model of the OEM rims on the 99 Alex Zanardi Edition NSX?

2. Will other BBS rims work for 91 NSX even though not listed by TireRack.com?

3. Why does TireRack recommend using 17Front/18Rear for BBS, but 18/19 for other rims?

4. Any recommendation on where I can get a good deal for aftermarket rims?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[nsxtasy]

1. I like the rims on the special Alex Zanardi Edition NSX (they look similar to the previously mentioned 18" BBS BBS RGR rims for sale). Is there a place where I can find out the manufacture and model of the OEM rims on the 99 Alex Zanardi Edition NSX?

I think they're BBS.

2. Will other BBS rims work for 91 NSX even though not listed by TireRack.com?

That depends. You might try calling Alex at the Tire Rack, who is pretty familiar with NSX applications.

3. Why does TireRack recommend using 17Front/18Rear for BBS, but 18/19 for other rims?

I don't know - possibly because 18"/19" isn't available for those other rims. Ask Alex.

4. Any recommendation on where I can get a good deal for aftermarket rims?

New: Tire Rack, or maybe some of the other vendors mentioned here on NSXprime (Wheels Boutique? Username "The WB"). Or, try posting in one of the regional forums on NSXprime to find a knowledgeable wheel/tire dealer closer to home.

Used: The Parts for Sale forum on NSXprime.

 

[Firesun]

HI there,
you can get your wheels at
1. sprewell racing (san gabriel) (626)309-1771
2. sp engineering (city of industry) (626)378-1558
3. TWS (Walnut or is it, city of industry) (909)468-1746

you should get SSR, Volk Racing, HRE. These are all good wheels.
their prices should be very competitive in the industry. They also do mount and balance for your wheels and tires.
take care

 

[THonda]

i am the seller of those wheels so my opinion might be viewed as biased:

- Kumho MX would not be my choice of tires for the NSX. They are very good tires known for being cheaper than, and almost as good as, the best tires around. For the NSX, I would prefer to get one of the very best tires around, such as the Bridgestone S-03.

*** One of the very best tires around? What defines the very best tire around? The SO3 although being one of the stickest tire around, you pay a price of it being heavy, wearing very fast, and they have the tread separation problem.


- 18" front wheels have some serious disadvantages, notably increased susceptibility to damage from potholes due to the extremely low sidewall height, limited tire selection, more expensive tires, etc. And personally, I think the "look" with low sidewalls in front and not as low in back is somewhat unbalanced.

***This is almost silly, because it is only a few years ago, that everyone thought that a person would be crazy to put on a set of 17" rims. A pothole that's capable to bend a set of 18" rims will bent a 17" rim of the same wheel. Also please note the RGR are a forged rim.

- The price on this package is not all that different from brand new. You're only saving ~$300, assuming ~$100 for shipping. Presumably that's because the package is, for all practical purposes, brand new. If you were going to buy this EXACT package anyway, then it might make sense to save a few hundred bucks. If you weren't, and are simply looking for a great deal, though, look elsewhere (or else get what you REALLY want, and don't worry about saving a few hundred bucks).

Mostly agreed, but "only saving $300"... which I make enough money to say $300 is nothing.

The acutal price is $3450 so you are really only saving $400.

Thanks

 

[THonda]

Re: Shopping recommendations

i went through the same decision process before arriving at my current RGR wheel:



BBS LM 17x7.5 F $679 18x9 R $853 - Very nice rims, but comes at a price. 17" looks way too small for the front espeically when your car is running on stock suspension. This wheel can be viewed as dated, but to me it is a classic design just like the nsx


O.Z. Superleggera 17x8 F $280 18x9 R $375 - Ugly wheel plain and simple.


O.Z. Superleggera III 18x8 F $740 19x10 R $915 - Not as ugly but ugly still


SSR Competition 17x7.5 F $355 18x9.5 R $449 - excellent wheel for the price, super light weight however be warn that SSR really stands for Super Soft Rim.


SSR GT3 18x7.5 F $519 19x10 R $639 - forget about these, the wide lip makes the car/wheel look pretty but these suckers are so heavy it is not even funny! Again, you now know what SSR stands for.

17/18 18/19 combo is due to what's avilable in the correct offset for the NSX. For example the BBS LMs could be in a 18/19 combo if you were to important them in japan. The offsets are not avilable here in the US.

 

[nsxtasy]

One of the very best tires around? What defines the very best tire around?

Tires that handle well and have great dry traction. Depending on your priorities, you can find a tire that is better at one thing, not as good as another - not just handling and dry traction, but also wet traction, price, treadlife, etc. The good news is, you can read side-by-side tests of most tires on the Tire Rack website, and pick the tire you want, based on your priorities.

Incidentally, the S-03 does not wear fast; many NSX owners get a lot longer treadlife on the S-03 (2-4 times as many miles) as the OEM tires, for example.

And there is NO tread separation problem. Good grief.

There are other excellent top-of-the-line tires, too - notably the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 and the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2, both of which are comparable to the S-03 and offer better handling and dry traction than the MX. But the MX is close, and costs significantly less - which is why a lot of people get them.

A pothole that's capable to bend a set of 18" rims will bent a 17" rim of the same wheel.

Often, it won't. Dealers that service a lot of NSXs have reported a much higher frequency of rim damage with 18"/19" wheels than with 17"/18" wheels.

 

[THonda]

"And there is NO tread separation problem."

- This has happened to myself and a few other M3 owners, bridgestone, firestone, same crap and that's why I refuse to buy bridgestone again.

"Often, it won't. Dealers that service a lot of NSXs have reported a much higher frequency of rim damage with 18"/19" wheels than with 17"/18" wheels."

My combo is 18/18, so vs a 17/18 i think the chances should be about the same. Thou I kinda doubt this would be true for "high quaility" wheels. High quaility being BBS, HRE, Kinesis, Fiske, etc not some wheel made in Taiwan which I see more often on the nsx than I would like.