ARD MP5

I thought I would compile a list as I go of wheels that are good fitting for you guys as the one above is getting cluttered. Please do not respond here with any questions, direct them all through PM's or the thread above.

My answers will be posted here. Thanks for all the patience as it's a real bitch doing all the research to find the few good fitting wheels I can.

This will also cover solutions/compromises to make low offset wheels to fit.

Rule 1: Diameter is arbitrary, the offset is based on the width of the wheel.
- 7" wide - +42 to +55, +40 requires 205/45/17 and possibly camber bolts to add negative camber. +44 and higher will allow for the use of a 215/40/17, which is the prefferred fitment.

- 7.5" wide - +48 - +55, +55 or 8" wheel will require the use of true coilovers or the use of GC's, but the lower spring perch of the strut must be ground off w/ a grinder. This will allow for the use of a 215/35/18.

Camber bolts will allow for max of +1/-1 degree and should only be reqiured in the rear.

Rishie

ARD MP5

This is for the 5 x 114.3mm or 4.5" boltpattern, exclusive to the '01 and '02 MP3 and Protege5 and 2.0 models.

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Great fitting, lightweight:
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Rota Subzero: perfect fit for 17" and 18" many colors; coming soon.

OZ Superleggerra: 17" or 18", both in 7" width

Volk Racing wheels: any size above 16"

ADVAN: Any model 17" and up, comes in +50

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Good to decent fitments, not so light:
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Focal wheels: 17" and 18"; marginal fitment, both 7" w/ +42;
17" fits good with a 205/45/17, 18" 215 needs camber bolts.

Tenzo: Only good in a 17", +42 7" width. Use 205/45

RH Evolution: only in 17" w/ +40, 205/45/17, req. camber bolts

Racing Hart: Three piece wheels are offered in high offsets, fitment can be made.

5Zigen: Copse and Heidfield in one piece 17" and 18" good fit
5Zigen: Three piece Copse and Heid only in 18"

Velox: only in 17" with 205/45 and req. camber bolts

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Pricing is available on all of these and if any other wheels are needed to look at for fitment please e-mail or PM me. I will research and post results here.

The prices will not be advertised over the net as they are exclusive to registered active forum members.

Thanks, Rishie

I personally would not reccommend a 7" width under a +44 offset if desiring to run a 215/40.

If willing to run the 205/45 then a +42 is the minimum I reccomend.

As for a 7.5" width, a +45 can be used with a camber bolt kit and possible minor rolling of one side. Recc. +48 or higher.

Thanks, Rishie

There are several others available as well, but this will at least give you an idea of what you're in for if you are dead set on a wheel with too low of an offset.

MYFBPEX00

why do you keep recommending 45 series tires instead of a 40 on the 17's? I am just curious. the taller the tires the worse it is going to highten the gear ratio.

ARD MP5

OZ will be getting in a good fitment in the next month for the proteges.

18, 7" in a +45 offset. This is beautiful fitment region.

Rishie

I will let you know when they arrive.

ARD MP5

The reason I will typically not sell a 205/40/17 to a 5 lug protege is because it is too short of a tire. If you want to rack up more mileage than you're actually driving, then be my guest. In my experience the typical client who is using these wheels for street will want to drive more mileage and have less appear on the odometer, as opposed to the other way around. The only time I see functionality with decreasing O.D. on the combo is when autoxing, but then I would change wheels when driving on the street.

The best fitting tire for the Protege5 is the 215/40/17, but this requires the use of an uncommon offset or the need to roll fenders or use camber bolts. Therefore not an easy fit.

Here are the general specs of the tires we use:
Protege5:
Specs will be listed as Tire Diameter, Sect width/wheel width, rev/mi.

195/50/16: 23.68", 7.68"/6.5", 852 r/mi

205/40/17: 23.46", 8.07"/7.5", 860 r/mi, so for every 100mi you add 1 extra mile to vehicle and fuel economy will suffer.

215/40/17: 23.77", 8.46"/8.0", 848 r/mi; here after 200mi you show 1 mi less than what you've driven

215/35/18: 23.93", 8.46"/8.0", 843 r/mi

205/45/17: 24.26", 8.07"/7.0", 831 r/mi
215/40/18: 24.77", 8.46"/8.0", 814 r/mi
225/35/18; 24.20", 8.86"/8.0", 833 r/mi; ***ideal but will require coilovers and high offset wheel.

Now that you got that, you guys can see what better suits your needs.

Thanks, Rishie

ARD MP5

18" OZ chronos available in a month.

Rishie