Aftermarket wheels - has anyone chosen a manufacturer and/or style?

[CorvusCorvax]

I've been looking around 17x8, 18x8, in 5x120 bolt pattern, ET55. I see some choices in the bolt pattern and size, but none with that particular offset, which will imply spacers, and longer lug bolts/studs.

From what I've seen, aftermarket wheels that exactly meet the above criteria are few. I don't really want to upsize the wheels too much, for ride-quality and the fact that larger wheels usually means larger rotating mass per wheel/tire combo.

I'm hoping to get some feedback from others who are heading in my direction.

 

[coregrind]

I've been looking around 17x8, 18x8, in 5x120 bolt pattern, ET55. I see some choices in the bolt pattern and size, but none with that particular offset, which will imply spacers, and longer lug bolts/studs.

The stock wheel, if it will indeed be +55mm, has a high offset as is. Installing a spacer does the opposite to what is intuitive. Taking a +25mm offset wheel with the addition of a 30mm spacer does NOT equal +55mm offset, it would actually be equal to -5mm offset. The result would be a wheel about 50mm/2" pushed further out from the centerline than stock.

There's one 19x8 wheel I found that is 5x120 and +55mm offset. At least it comes with three finish options?!

 

[phidauex]

I think given the design of the fenders you could get away with a range of offsets - you aren't trying to tuck a 21" wheel into a lowered M3 fender or something.

For instance, we know they've shown demo vehicles with an ET25 offset. That would stick out 30mm more than an ET55, but given the design, I think that will both look fine and drive fine, unless you are planning to lower, in which case you might need to fine tune more.

Even if you want a completely stock-like fit with an 8" width wheel, I'd be comfortable searching anywhere in the ET55 - ET40 range. Going down to ET15 is probably still going to be fine in most cases but with more poke. Changing wheel width will ALSO change the math, so wider or narrower rims will need different offsets to hit "equivalent" poke or internal clearance. I'd wait to have vehicles in hand before trying to fit a 10" wheel, for instance.

I think the biggest risk right now on wheel dimensions is the counterbore. We don't actually know the hub dimension, just that the aftermarket wheels we've seen have a 72.6mm bore. It is OK to have a wheel bore bigger than your hub (you slip a plastic centering spacer in there), but it can't be smaller than the hub.

 

[kvermeer]

Installing a spacer does the opposite to what is intuitive. Taking a +25mm offset wheel with the addition of a 30mm spacer does NOT equal +55mm offset, it would actually be equal to -5mm offset.

Yup! If you want a wide stance, just get "normal" low-offset rims (and fender flares, to limit poke)! You don't need spacers. This is the driver tire, seen from the front:

It will, of course, mess with your scrub radius and steering feel, increasing wear on wheel bearings/tie rods/ball joints. But it's not much worse than a lift kit and off-road tires.

 

[phidauex]

For what its worth, there are lots of tire/wheel calculators out there, but this one is the best: https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?wh...60-20X8ET55&fcl=50mm&wcl=30mm&scl=50mm&sr=0mm

This link is prefilled to compare the Slate default and the 20" AT option. Naturally we don't know the clearances on the left, but once we do you can play around endlessly with different wheel and tire combinations and watch out for clearance risks or changes in driving dynamics.

 

[AZFox]

My current top choice is this 18x8 Enkei EKM3 in gunmetal (dark gray) color. I chose it more for weight, quality, and price than for appearance. IMHO Enkei is a good manufacturer.

It has 42mm offset.
Here it's shown with 235/60R18 tires, which have only 1.4% less circumference (10 fewer revs in a mile) compared to the stock 17" tire:

 

[Trace26]

My current top choice is this 18x8 Enkei EKM3 in gunmetal (dark gray) color. I chose it more for weight, quality, and price than for appearance. IMHO Enkei is a good manufacturer.

It has 42mm offset.
Here it's shown with 235/60R18 tires, which have only 1.4% less circumference (10 fewer revs in a mile) compared to the stock 17" tire:

Don't tempt me with such things 😮

 

[AZFox]

Don't tempt me with such things 😮

OK, then I won't tell you about the run-flat touring tires I found with these attributes:

235/60R18
Alfa Romeo 103V version
price: $209 ea.
36 or 37 lbs?

• Tuned for original equipment applications (Alfa Romeo, Mercedes)
• Excellent wet braking
• Responsive handling
• Comfortable ride
• Low road noise (special polyurethane foam on the inner liner of the tire)
• Optimal traction in light snow
• Flanged lower sidewall to help reduce the possibility of curb damage
• Sealant compound within the tread area
• Marketed as EV-Ready ("designed with EVs in mind")

 

[cadblu]

My current top choice is this 18x8 Enkei EKM3 in gunmetal (dark gray) color. I chose it more for weight, quality, and price than for appearance. IMHO Enkei is a good manufacturer.

It has 42mm offset.
Here it's shown with 235/60R18 tires, which have only 1.4% less circumference (10 fewer revs in a mile) compared to the stock 17" tire:

I actually owned a set of gold tone Enkei rims back in the day on my ‘90 Nissan Maxima street racer. They looked amazing. Unfortunately not well suited for poor NY roadways riddled with potholes, and soon all rims got damaged beyond repair. If you are lucky to live in a warm weather state with decent roads and highways, I would recommend these wheels for sure.

 

[9TADAZE]

5x120 has been around, especially BMWs, and is offered by more manufacturers now. +55 is a high offset and traditionally has been on FWD cars. What comes to my mind are the last 2 generations of Civic Type Rs (probably Integra Type S also) and it's OEM specs are similar. I imagine you can chase these offerings but need to determine if the hub bore is compatible if direct fit.

 

[phidauex]

Here is a list of cars with similar wheel specs, to whet your appetite.

https://www.wheel-size.com/rims/5x1...gs=yes&diameter_range=yes&bs_push=8&fs_poke=8

The main thing to watch out for in the list are the wheel sizes - this is showing 20" to 14" (17" +/- 3"), but 17" is the smallest that will fit (we are told). The second thing to look out for is the counterbore - this list is showing vehicles with any bore size, we don't yet know the real Slate counterbore dimension (just that it is less than or equal to 72.6mm).

I'm also showing a +/- 8mm offset range, though I suspect you could go to quite a bit lower offsets and still have satisfactory fit.

 

[bartflossom]

I'm searching for white, spoker wheels similar to those on my 1984 mazda SE-5. I also want aluminum to reduce weight. These Fifteen 52s were on a prototype in Fort Worth and although not a spoker, it looks really nice

 

[AmatuerX]

I want to throw caution to the wind and get me some American Racing or US Mags, but that 55mm offset is killer! I sure-as-heck don't want my wheels to stick out like the Bro-dozers'. I have a bad feeling if I want some sweet wheels for my mini-truck, I might have to go full custom.

 

[CorvusCorvax]

One of the wheels I had been looking at was the 18" Nomad Convoy. The price is a bit much, but the simple design is attractive. Sparco/OZ Racing also have some interesting wheels in that size, but they are less simple, and more of a "statement." I'm not sure how much of a "statement" I'm looking for in my truck wheels.

 

[CorvusCorvax]

I'm searching for white, spoker wheels similar to those on my 1984 mazda SE-5. I also want aluminum to reduce weight. These Fifteen 52s were on a prototype in Fort Worth and although not a spoker, it looks really nice

That design is a "yes" from me, but I want it in grey.