Got the new wheels on our white Protege 5.
 

It was raining out, so this is the best I can do for now.
18x7.5 Rev model II wheels (Volk CE28N replicas)

http://www.scsot.com/images/protege.jpg

http://www.scsot.com/images/protege1.jpg

http://www.scsot.com/images/protege2.jpg

Matt

Those look good.

They are so big that it makes your rear calipers look tiny.

Your car looks dropped, what springs/coils are you using?

Those look nice. What's the offset on those wheels please??

We got some sets like that in also in a high offset that won't rub. Made by G-Racing. I can't wait to get a set on my car.

Thanks, Rishie

Thanks!

They are 45+ ET. They barely clear :eek:

Matt

P.S. Progress Group springs, SedanMan.

It most likely would rub on one side. I had the exact same setup with the same tires and had a rubbing issue that bugged the shit out of me I sold them.

I had the 18,7.5 SSR GT1 with Parada +45 offset and had to get rid of them. Thanks for sharing.

Have you put 3 or 4 people in the car yet? This info is good to know.

Thanks, Rishie

Here's the G-Racing Seki in a +47 offset. +45 was just barely a problem but enough to be annoying. I had to get camber bolts and had to run negative camber to avoid the rub.

http://groups.msn.com/AutomotiveRD/s...to&PhotoID=923

Peace, Rishie

I haven't had that many people in the car yet, but I believe you...

I may roll the rear fenders.

Matt

OK, I jacked up one corner of the car, and was able to get
one of the rear tires to go under the fender. Looks like
it won't rub:

http://www.cableplexaudio.com/wrx/tires1.jpg

http://www.cableplexaudio.com/wrx/tires2.jpg

I only had rubbing problems on the passenger side. lol. But that's awesome if you don't rub. Check the other side. IF it rubs you can get soem cheap camber bolts and run some more negative camber.

Rishie

Can someone explain why it is such a big problem to suggest rolling your fenders?

It's not a problem for me, as we thought it would be,
so no fender rolling.

I understand your situation.. but lets say I like a particular rim but it doesn't offer the offest I supposedly need... why can't I just roll out my fenders? Lets say I want to run with 18 x 7.5 on 215/35/18 tires and the rim offset is +42 or so. Why would it be too hard to get the fenders rolled out? It seems like rolling the fenders is never recommended?

Well, the Protege already has "rolled" fenders... kind of. If you
take a look at the fender lip, you'll notice it is already trimmed
from the factory, rolling may only gain you a few mm as opposed
to other cars.

Rolling fenders is OK if you do it right. I have access to a fender
rolling machine, and along careful use of a heat gun, you won't
damage the paint while you are rolling/bending.

I'm squeeking by with 45+, you're going to have a real problem
with 42+, plus it's going to look odd because they will stick out
and not 'tuck in".

Another option, if the rim mounting surface has enough meat
on it, you can take it to a specialist wheel machine shop, and
have the offset made higher. Of course, be sure there is
enough meat to begin with, but usually there is not enough.

Matt

good info, and great pics, mattjk. I am trying to find wheels right now, so this is info has helped bunches. Wheels look awesome. :)

Like mattjk said with regards to rolling fenders. We don't really have any of a lip to roll. It's extremely minimal as it is. The problem we've encountered with rolling fenders with such small lippage is that you're more likely to crack the paint when rolling it. One must be sure that the paint is heated up enough to become somewhat pliable. The cracking will be incurred because you almost have to create a 90 degree angle on the roll, right at the edge to gain any additional room.

That's why the rolling fender thing is an issue specific to this application. I'd hate to crack my paint and then have to pay for it to be blended.

Peace, Rishie

The rims do look great. I'm just collecting data to see if anyone's car in particular might have the extra few mm needed to run offsets such as this 7.5" with +45.