Cheap 18" wheels

[j_s_g]

In a bid to save some money for the inevitable bills my Cerbera's going to rack up, I've been shopping around for the best deal on 18" wheels. I've found some nice 7 spokes for £875 including VAT and a set of Proxes. Just one problem... they're 7.5x18, rather than 8x18, meaning that I can't really get the rears any wider than 225 (rather than the usual 255). Anyone think of any issues with this/got narrower wheels on the back?

Second question, am I right in saying that the PCD on a '99 4.2 is 114.3? Heard a few figures thrown around.

Cheers,

-James

[j_s_g]

Forgot the most important bit...

If the wheels are as above, with an offset of 37mm, will there be any need for spacers/adjustments to the steering? If so, any instructions/places to get the parts from for this?

Cheers,

-J

[p7ulg]

Don't think I would want less rubber on any TVR.Car might look great on 18" but at what cost to handling?

[j_s_g]

I don't pick up the car from the dealers till this Saturday, so I can't be sure, but I'm guessing that the 16s aren't 8" & don't have 255 rear tyres on to start with. Also, being up North, having slightly narrower tyres may well be a good thing come the Winter months with all the rain & snow. Having said that, I am a little bit concerned about the traction. Definitely more concerned about the wheels fitting tho! And the saving of ~£600 could pay for some nice suspension/brake work.

[raceboy]

j_s_g said:

but I'm guessing that the 16s aren't 8" & don't have 255 rear tyres on to start with.

Wheels F/R 7.5 x 16/7.5 x 16
Tyres F 225/45 ZR 16
Tyres R 245/45 ZR 16

[mlumb]

i thought original back tyres were 235/50 16.

mike

[j_s_g]

Mike,

Is that a set of Tooras I see on your profile pic; did you manage to find anywhere helpful/cheap to source them from? I take it you had a bit of trouble getting them to fit, too?

Cheers,

-James (who's starting to think that all this hassle may not be worth it, and might just get the Spiders after all)

[raceboy]

mlumb said:

i thought original back tyres were 235/50 16.

I could well be wrong I just pulled the info off a technical data website

[olly]

I think the really early 4.2 Cerbs (1996) may have had 235's, as a friend of mine recently repalced his S01's with Toyo's and went to 245's. My 1997 4.2 has always had 245's (as far as I know).....

[williamball]

j_s_g said:

I don't pick up the car from the dealers till this Saturday, so I can't be sure, but I'm guessing that the 16s aren't 8" & don't have 255 rear tyres on to start with. Also, being up North, having slightly narrower tyres may well be a good thing come the Winter months with all the rain & snow. Having said that, I am a little bit concerned about the traction. Definitely more concerned about the wheels fitting tho! And the saving of ~£600 could pay for some nice suspension/brake work.

depends if you want to look at it or drive it hard. I had stiffer springs, ARB and uprated dampers but kept the 16" wheels and for about the same cost the car was 1000% better [and quicker round a track]. The 18" wheels do nothing for the handling or ride, and can also make the car a bit less forgiving on the limit, plus they're dead easy to ding. But they do look nice.

WB

[mlumb]

yes they are toora's,had a bit of trouble getting the fronts on ended up using a spacer.

if i remember correctly they cost about £550 for the rims but about £650 for tyres,slightly more expensive than spiders and tyres at the time.
i just wanted to be different.
mike.

oh,almost forgot,they came from auto design in bradford.

[j_s_g]

williamball said:

depends if you want to look at it or drive it hard. I had stiffer springs, ARB and uprated dampers but kept the 16" wheels and for about the same cost the car was 1000% better [and quicker round a track]. The 18" wheels do nothing for the handling or ride, and can also make the car a bit less forgiving on the limit, plus they're dead easy to ding. But they do look nice. WB

I'd definitely be buying them for the appearance rather than the handling - if I'm pushing the car to its limit on normal roads, then I'm putting lives at risk. I'd be keeping the 16s from it for track days, once I've decided whether I dare do that. Cheers for the input.

[j_s_g]

mlumb said:

yes they are toora's,had a bit of trouble getting the fronts on ended up using a spacer. if i remember correctly they cost about £550 for the rims but about £650 for tyres,slightly more expensive than spiders and tyres at the time. i just wanted to be different. mike. oh,almost forgot,they came from auto design in bradford.

Cheers for that - seen some other Tooras I quite like... After a lengthy chat to a few wheel & tyre specialists, I'm abandoning all the 7.5 x 18 sets I was considering, it seems you really can't get 245s or above on the back too well with low-profile tyres. Makes sense.

Had a quick look at Auto Design's website too - they have the number plate "Eat 911s" for sale, very tempted!