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philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Hello all - I'm after some advice.....

I had my original 16 inch wheels re-conditioned 2 years ago, but now think I should have made the swap to something a bit larger. I'm not sure I want to go up to 18 inch wheels as the roads around here are in a poor state. However 17 inch wheels would seem to be a good compromise.

I would also like to go up one inch in width for the wheels so that I would have:

Front: 8 x 17 (up from 7 x 16)
Rear: 9 x 17 (up from 8 x 16)

So next question is what about the offset? I want the wheels to fill the arches but not catch the bodywork anywhere. I had a wheel company suggest to me that the following would be good:

Front: ET 20 (up from ET 7)
Rear: ET 25 (up from ET 20)

Does anyone have experience of this and can you make any suggestions?

As for tyre sizes I've calculated that the following retain the original rolling radius:

Front: 215/45 x 17
Rear: 245/40 x 17

However that may depend of tyre availability as much as anything else.

Finally wheel choice. Obvious one is the Steve Chambers 'replicas' which I'm sure would look wonderful. I've also found that the Team Dynamics Pro-Race 2 wheels are available in these sizes:

Do people think that these would look good?

Does anyone have any pictures of SZ's with different wheels, here's a few that I have found:

Love these Zender Siena's but pretty sure they are unavailable now

I'm not sure why but I'm not keen on these:

So can anyone help me with offsets and provide any pictures for inspiration Very Happy

Thanks

Philip

frankalfa · Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 78 Location: holland.

Hi Philip,

Good choice to go a bit larger! Cool

For me it is the only thing that always bottered me on a standard sz, the size of the wheels...

To be honest, in my opinion a 17" rim is also to small... Embarassed

I drive my sz with the Azev A in 8J/18inch without troubles (and roads are not that well maintained around here). Tire sizes are 215/35 in front and 225/40 at the back.
Offset is 30, so I had to fiddle with special adapters. These where already on the car because of the enlarged front brakes (tarox).

Off course, when you are gonna buy a new set of rims you buy the ones with the correct offset.
I think Rogor can give you some more info, he runs the beautifull 18inch speedline remakes.

The Zender Sienna is no longer produced and so a) hard to find and b) when found (used) often cracked (have seen three sets and all three where cracked or welded/repaired>coincidence? Sad

)

Best regards, fRank
Ps the mattblack tecnomagnesio do look very agressive, is that 17 or 18"?
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SZ No. 044

wrinx · Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 243 Location: United Kingdom

Siennas are lovely wheels but Zenders seem to be made of cheese Confused

I find the 16s give a hard enough ride so I dread to think what 18s are like on an SZ!

wrinx

zag · Joined: 21 Apr 2010 Posts: 53

There is only ONE wheel for the SZ.... Wink

Regards,
zag

Harry_sz · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 276

Alessandro has many pictures of SZ-wheels. Maybe he can add some here.

The dark wheels are Japanese Advan's. Available on Ebay now for 599 in 17 or 18".

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

The last set of wheels I posted are Compomotive 18" wheels:

www.comp.co.uk

I also had a set of 18 inch Siena's on my 166 - but yes they were soon buckled - one beyond repair Crying or Very sad

Harry_sz · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 276

Yes, I am mixing those.
I've got a picture of an SZ with white Advan's. Looks good I think.

I think 17" is big enough.

I also found these :

Harry_sz · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 276

I've got a bigger version at home, because a friend of mine took this picture (and some more) on the Nurburgring.
I sent it to Ed who is using it on his website now, so it's from there.

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Hi Harry,

I really like these:

Are they advan's or something else?

Cheers

Philip

Harry_sz · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 276

I don't know! Smile

I will try to find out.

rz · Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 86 Location: belgium

my tire size is 225/40 on 8jx18 front and 255/35 on 9x18 steve's wheels!
the only choice!!very good quality and very strong.

Harry_sz · Site Admin Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 276

How much are good tyres in that size?
P Zero nero's in 16" are about 200 euro each.

rz · Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 86 Location: belgium

i think about the same .
check te internet! www.pneusonline.be

rz · Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 86 Location: belgium

255/35 18 pirelli p zero 214 euro!!

philip · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 115 Location: United Kingdom

Well just as I did 2 years ago when I last considered this subject I think i'm going to stick with my 16 inch wheels (sorry Frank!).

I just think that the car is a child of the late 80's and big tyre profiles are part of the era really.

I would still like the wheels/tyres to stick out a bit more (esp at the rear) but not sure how to achieve this without spacers....

Anyway happy for now but reserve the right to change my mind Smile