I bought my 02' new and don't have a desire to upgrade it just yet. Getting closer to the big 40 (wow, that's hard to admit...I would sware I was 23. Ha, I'm catching up to you Uncle Scotty), I'm looking to 'freshen' up my 2002 wagon.

Starting with wheels, I have been on 17" Subzeros since day one and now have an itch to change them. 18" are too harsh compared to 17's (or more than I'd like, I have a 1.5hr commute on a pot hole ridden freeway). I really like the look though.

I have seen 17's that I would sware were 18's. I am looking for this kind of optical illusion. quick e.g. I love the Rota torques but on 17's they are clearly 17's from every angle. I just cannot remember which I saw that really looked like 18's.

Going to search some more ...PLEASE though, if you think of anything let me know!

Thanks!

Drew

What you are going to be looking for is a wheel without a lip. Wheels with lips give the impression of a smaller diameter due to the optical illusion of the contrast. Especially if you go with a darker color wheel and a polished lip.

For example, you could go with these:
http://www.subydude.com/osc/product_info.php/cPath/220_21_158/products_id/557
or these:
http://www.subydude.com/osc/product_info.php/cPath/220_21_158/products_id/262

Obviously, there is a decision as to how often you want to clean your wheels(more spokes=longer time to clean).

Thick spokes also give the impression of smaller diameter wheel.

Just my .02

Jose

One way to make your 17s look bigger is smaller sidewalls on the tires.

us smaller brakes. makes u look like a baller on dubs in ur Escalade.

Moss, that's exactly what he doesn't want. He wants a comfortable ride. I would say a 235/45R17 on a 17x8 wheel. Say a Continental or the Michelin.

Moss, that's exactly what he doesn't want. He wants a comfortable ride. I would say a 235/45R17 on a 17x8 wheel. Say a Continental or the Michelin.
you sir are an idiot, how are you going to criticize someones post when you go and post two examples of rims that ONLY COME IN 18'S when he specifically asked for 17 inch wheels that LOOK like 18's.....ugh

you sir are an idiot, how are you going to criticize someones post when you go and post two examples of rims that ONLY COME IN 18'S when he specifically asked for 17 inch wheels that LOOK like 18's.....ugh

:lol: :lol: :lol:

you sir are an idiot, how are you going to criticize someones post when you go and post two examples of rims that ONLY COME IN 18'S when he specifically asked for 17 inch wheels that LOOK like 18's.....ugh
Calm down junior... :lol:

Moss, that's exactly what he doesn't want. He wants a comfortable ride. I would say a 235/45R17 on a 17x8 wheel. Say a Continental or the Michelin.
A 235/40/17 is just slightly smaller sidewall than a 225/45/17.

235/45/17 will make a 17" wheel look minute! the sidewall of a 45 is HUGE.

The optical illusion of making a 17" wheel look like an 18in wheel is hard to accomplish. As I said, a smaller sidewall does make a 17s look more like an 18, but if thats not the way to go, then thats not the way to go.

Or possibly a 17x8 with 225/45/17s..
http://www.collegeparktuning.com/gallery/album12/car28n.jpg

There are not many 17" wheels that look like 18s.

maybe the prodrive gc-010e rims.

http://prodriveamerica.com/premiumproducts.htm

the 18s look like 19s ...or you could say they use up all the wheel diameter thats provided.

here is a pic i found awhile ago

http://members.aol.com/specopsrb6/gc10e.jpg

Look at the sidewall size dude... its a 35 or 40 series.

Calm down junior... :lol:


A 235/40/17 is just slightly smaller sidewall than a 225/45/17.

235/45/17 will make a 17" wheel look minute! the sidewall of a 45 is HUGE.

The optical illusion of making a 17" wheel look like an 18in wheel is hard to accomplish. As I said, a smaller sidewall does make a 17s look more like an 18, but if thats not the way to go, then thats not the way to go.

Or possibly a 17x8 with 225/45/17s..
http://www.collegeparktuning.com/gallery/album12/car28n.jpg

There are not many 17" wheels that look like 18s.

nice wheels...:lol:

Look at the sidewall size dude... its a 35 or 40 series.

I'd guess they are 40s.

Thats usually what STis wear when they go 18s.

nice wheels...:lol:
Aren't they? Too bad I had to give them back to some bastard.

Calm down junior... :lol:


A 235/40/17 is just slightly smaller sidewall than a 225/45/17.

235/45/17 will make a 17" wheel look minute! the sidewall of a 45 is HUGE.

The optical illusion of making a 17" wheel look like an 18in wheel is hard to accomplish. As I said, a smaller sidewall does make a 17s look more like an 18, but if thats not the way to go, then thats not the way to go.

Or possibly a 17x8 with 225/45/17s..
http://www.collegeparktuning.com/gallery/album12/car28n.jpg

There are not many 17" wheels that look like 18s.

taking the chance to show off ur new wheels huh :lol:

:lol: Not even close to my new wheels... those wheels actually belong to the bastard that said something (thahaminator) :p

But they looked good, and fit... 17x8 +44 w/ 225s.


I've got something a little bit better sitting in my apt ;) Although I wouldnt mind buying those wheels off of brian.

what u got thats better than the all mighty CE28n?

The PM should tell all :devil:

"The Enkei RP03 features an undercut design in the backside of the spoke to extend the spoke of the wheel to the edge of the rim. The undercut concept creates a visual effect that gives the appearance of one full size of larger diameter."

Got this description of the Enkei rp03 in a modified wheel buyer guide.

Hey man you guys are alright!

$650ea or so for a CE28n...:eek: ...this is why Rota is my friend :)

They do look really nice and appears to achieve the look but, I just went out to take a look. The Koni Prodrive combo won't exactly give me the same drop as in that pic.

The best of both worlds, looks and comfort (relatively speaking) may have to be an 18". Someone PM'd me about how comfy PZeroNero M+S are on 18's but I may need more grip (think...almost drives it like he's thinking about stealing it).

Farting in the wind I know...Sorry. I'm thinking 18" and relative comfort isn't realistic. Unless someone has made the switch and the difference is minimal. I may just bite the bullet, live life on the edge.... :cool:

yup, the darker wheels give the illusion...also try to find wheels with more space in between them I guess (or longer spokes). I've been told by many people (even some suby owners) that they thought my stock 16 inchers were 17's.

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/files/923068_fe774/RVA2HV39IUWTTQM.JPG

Check out the following two pics of my comps (both 18's but for some reason when I painted the wheels they looked so much bigger!)

before
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/files/923062_a72fa/800O2DXYEMXRDO6.JPG

after
http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/files/923063_88cae/153JJ35JG3FEPJJ.JPG

Very nice, and soo much better painted