Discussion
Thinking of sticking some minilites (or replica ones by JBW) on the car but can only get the cheapest deal on ones which were part of a bulk order with a supplier with a zero offset. Current Oz wheels are 25mm offset so Minilites would effectively push the wheel and tyre out 25mm further than current. Obviously no issue with clashing with suspension or brake etc components but tyre may stick out too far for wheel arch and rub under compression of suspension.
I intend to keep all the same - ie 15x7 wheel, on 205/60/15 tyres.
I've got a V8S which I am told has a slightly wider track than previous S models so this makes this issue more pronounced on mine i guess. Anyone else successfully installed zero offset wheels on theirs?
I intend to keep all the same - ie 15x7 wheel, on 205/60/15 tyres.
I've got a V8S which I am told has a slightly wider track than previous S models so this makes this issue more pronounced on mine i guess. Anyone else successfully installed zero offset wheels on theirs?
OK, but I would expect that going to zero offset will have a very negative effect on your steering, even if the body clearance is OK. You will be moving the centre of the tyre contact outwards by 25mm, which will probably give you a big scrub radius and very heavy steering with kick-back over bumpy surfaces. You might like to experiment with a 25mm spacer on the standard wheels first to see how it behaves. However, I wouldn't recommend driving around with 25mm spacers for longer than just a short test drive!
Ah good tip. Just read about scrub radius and having the wheels slightly more outboard can really screw up the steering and handling. But it's to what degree that's unknow. Only way to know is to put 25mm spacers on current wheels.might just bite the bullet and get correct offset wheels.
Yep, thats my car (and wheels), bought from Midlandwheels on a "whim" at a car show.
ETA
Curiosity got the better of me, just been out to the garage to slip one off and measure it and found ET 0 on the back of one of the spokes. Confirmed with a bit of measuring, 100mm from back of wheel to hub mating face, Oz Eight spoke is 125mm.
That's surprised me coz they don't appear to stick out that much and despite all the alterations they may have made to my steering geometry the car still handles and steers fine (imho)
ETA
Curiosity got the better of me, just been out to the garage to slip one off and measure it and found ET 0 on the back of one of the spokes. Confirmed with a bit of measuring, 100mm from back of wheel to hub mating face, Oz Eight spoke is 125mm.
That's surprised me coz they don't appear to stick out that much and despite all the alterations they may have made to my steering geometry the car still handles and steers fine (imho)
Edited by phillpot on Sunday 22 April 21:27
That's interesting. It must have made some difference! Can you remember your first impressions when you changed from the originals to the Minilites? The whole front end has poor geometry due to the Sierra upright. The KPI is 14°, which is much too high and contributes to the heavy steering. It's the same on the Griffith and I'm involved in a bit of a project to address that area at the moment.
My V8S came with aftermarket 17" wheels with ET38. This was most unpleasant (self-uncentering at larger lock angles) and the addition of a 5mm spacer was a noticeable improvement. Therefore I would expect a 25mm change to be a very distinct difference (whether better or worse).
On the V8S, there is also a potential body clearance issue, since the track is already wider due to the extended suspension arms vs the V6 version.
My V8S came with aftermarket 17" wheels with ET38. This was most unpleasant (self-uncentering at larger lock angles) and the addition of a 5mm spacer was a noticeable improvement. Therefore I would expect a 25mm change to be a very distinct difference (whether better or worse).
On the V8S, there is also a potential body clearance issue, since the track is already wider due to the extended suspension arms vs the V6 version.
jwoffshore said:
It must have made some difference!
I've know doubt it did but I'm no racing driver and did it feel different first time out because of the wheels, the new tyres,tyre pessures, the roads were wet/dry or because I just hadn't driven it for a week or two? 
My point was that even that much variation has not made it an un-manageable "pig" to drive with heavy steering, loss of self centreing, lashings of bump steer etc. etc.
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