Rims - To change or not to change ?

[Whale_Tail]

I am on the fence. On one side I would like to have my original OZ rims refurbed - on the other I am thinking about getting different rims. On the one side, I keep the car original, on the other, new rims might look better. AAARRRGHHH ! Have been mulling this over for days.

I know this is pretty much a personal preference thing but any of you guys got pics of wedges with after market wheels to help me decide ?

Cheers.

Edited by Whale_Tail on Tuesday 7th April 17:03

[Henry Harris]

I am interested in these views as well. I am comtemplating changing the 18" oxigen alloys as they really are too big for the car. I will be seeking wheels with higher profile tyres as the ride could do with being softer.

[grahamw48]

Whale_Tail said:

I am on the fence. On one side I would like to have my original OZ rims refurbed - on the other I am thinking about getting different rims. On the one side, I keep the car original, on the other, new rims might look better. AAARRRGHHH ! Have been mulling this over for days.

I know this is pretty much a personal preference thing but any of you guys got pics of wedges with after market wheels to help me decide ?

Cheers.

Edited by Whale_Tail on Tuesday 7th April 17:03

What model Wedge have you got ?

Best putting some info' on your profile.

[Whale_Tail]

Graham - 400se currently with Orig OZ and Toyo Proxe 225/50/15's, two of which need replacing which is why I am thinking bout this now as I dont know if they refurb with tyre on or off and might be not worth getting tyres done if I am going for new rims.

I have seen a blue wedge with newer OZ's, Pistolars I think in Hadleigh, that looked nice.

The previous comment about ride quality is a valid one. The Toyos I have are fairly chunky yet after a long drive the old spine knows about it. With bigger rims and lower profile tyres, things would surely be worse.

[pwd95]

For me nothing suits the 400 better than a pair of 16x9's for the back.

Click to enlarge......

[Trickie Dickie]

This is my Blue 400SE with Mark's Red 400SE with more modern large wheels


Mark's from another angle


If you want bling


Still the best wheel IMHO although would prefer 16" wheels to allow a greater choice of tyres


HTH
Richard

[grahamw48]

I've considered this too (mainly cos current ones are scruffy).

From an aesthetic point of you, if you look at Richard's car, compared with Marks, the newer wheels to my eye only accentuate the slab-sided look of the Wedge, whereas the OZ originals with their deep dish and intricate detail give a more balanced look. JMO.

I agree with Wyn, that the 16" OZs look even better than the 15s.

The wheels on this car I photographed at Harewood Hillclimb are IMO a pretty good substitute for the OZs, and there are some on Classifieds, but apparently only 7.5J, so narrower than 400SEs...but ideal for 280/350.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/961405.htm

[Whale_Tail]

Wow ..... thanks for the pics guys. Food for thought and keep going anyone else ........ I like Marks and I like the bling set from what I can make out at that angle.

I also think my origs would look fantastic after refurbing. Still as clear as mud as what to do.

[red tasmin]

16" cerbera wheels. 225/50/16" tyres

[wedgeinald]

These are the ones I hope to fit to my wedge (when I can afford to put tyres on that fit the wheel arches/makes the road speed correct) I think they look nice but the tyres are JUST too big to fit the front arches when you turn the wheels.

I think they came off a 350 wedge??

Norman

Edited by wedgeinald on Wednesday 8th April 14:56

[grahamw48]

Look like 350SE ones.

MUST go and fix that window now.

[Transmitter Man]

Wyn,

16 x 9's

All round?

Any tyre scrub?

I like.

I want.

Makes my SEAC's 15 x 8.5's seem puny.

These 17" image wheels are also in the running for my upgrade but not cheap:


Phil
420 SEAC

[Mystic Slippers]

Ive got the standard dished lattice wheels on my 350i and i prefer them to the OZ ones.
Whether its the tyre brand or something some of the Oz wheels look like they have moonbuggy tyres on them,i guess its the short spokes that gives this effect.
Anyhow a nice set of deep dished wheels with polished rims and black centers would be on my list if i were to change-maybe 16" or 17" with 50 profile tyres.

[pwd95]

Transmitter Man said:

Wyn,

16 x 9's

All round?

Any tyre scrub?

I like.

I want.

Makes my SEAC's 15 x 8.5's seem puny.

These 17" image wheels are also in the running for my upgrade but not cheap:


Phil
420 SEAC

They can be run all round, cirks has them.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

Tyre scrub? Little bit.


Well worth it though......


Those image wheels are the absolute danglies.

P.S. Been on here have you?........
http://www.theseacpages.co.uk/gallery/index.asp

[eesbad]

red tasmin said:

16" cerbera wheels. 225/50/16" tyres

I looked at a silver 390SE a couple of years back with this combo - seemed to suit it quite well, but I prefer the look of the OZ's on the back with the rear under spoiler. Looks more aggressive

[gsx600]

Can't beat 16 x 9 oz all round, polished with black spokes

Oooh as per mine

[Whale_Tail]

GSX - Sounds interesting - any pics available ?

The pics have helped a bit and interesting to see some other wedges looking so different to mine just through changing the wheels.

Mine has OZ 15s and Toyo Proxe 225/50/15 tyres and on full lock there is body contact underneath near the engine bay - in fact a slight hole has formed both sides. I wonder if 16s would make it even worse ?

The yellow SEAC looks great in those 17 inchers.

Any more pics out there ?

____________________________________________________________________

Edited by Whale_Tail on Thursday 9th April 16:56

[grahamw48]

Have you checked your rim width ?

'Standard' on 400SE is 8J, which mine has (1990 400Hotwire), but 8.5J x 15 were also an option, and my last car (series2 390SE) had these fitted with the usual 225/50 Toyos...but no clearance problems.

HOWEVER...chassis/body alignment differences could conceivably cause a problem, as could sagging or lowered suspension.

[Waynester]

I had these fitted to my 1st 400SE, 17" Azev's. They looked ok but i do prefer original, especially as the original Oz wheels looks so good!

I would have the 16's on my SEAC if i could..ANYONE got any.

[JamieG]

gsx600 said:

Can't beat 16 x 9 oz all round, polished with black spokes

Oooh as per mine

Yep- gets my vote!