Hey all you mod freaks...can you help me select some rims to replace on the sc430?

Here are the candidates:

LEXUS FACTORY


O.Z. OPERA


O.Z. Vela


Mille Migilia Spider


Thanks for your opinion.

 

I like the look of the OZ Operas. Nice car!

 

opera or vela, it is a tough choice. are you going modular/2/3 piece?

 

Hi,

I don't know what you asked really? It seems rim have their own world out there. I thought you just bought for, had them slapped on, and that was that...

what does "going modular/2/3 piece" mean.

Thanks.

 

What size is your stock wheel/tire combo on your SC430? If you're interested in selling it, I'm interested in buying. Pls drop me a note if you are.
Regards,
Thom

 

exsilio,

Modular wheels are fabricated from two or three pieces of metal that are bolted together: the spokes (wheel center) and the rim. The rim can be one-piece (two piece wheel) or two rim halves (three piece wheel). In most cases you can identify a modular wheel by their fasteners just inside the lip. Once the modular wheel is assembled at the factory, its installation is just as straightforward as that of a single piece wheel.

The modular construction allows the manufacturer to optimize the ridigity/weight ratio. For instance, they can fabricate the wheel center from forged aluminum (stronger than the typical cast aluminum) quite easily and then bolt it to the outer rim. However, there are some wheel manufacturers that make multipiece wheels just for looks and not for function: their wheel centers are simply cast.

Best wheel construction is one-piece forged: these tend to be quite rare and expensive since one-piece forging is a very complicated procedure, only a handful of industries (mostly japanese) have the necessary resources.

The OZ vela and opera wheels come in two versions: one piece (no fasteners) and two piece (w/fasteners). Check the OZ website and see which one you like better. I believe the modular versions aren't forged, meaning they're not lighter nor stronger (just more expensive), ask OZ anyway.


Hope this clarifies your questions.

 

I see what you mean..thanks for the education. I think the Opera I's are more appropriate for the car. The Modular's are a bit too funky with the bolts around the rim like that. Plus better rigidity of the one piece should mean better overall performance, correct?

Thanks again man.

And to "mdfdsc300", I would be interested in selling the factory rims, but of course I need to get the car in first. I am in a holding pattern right now waiting for the car to come in. I'm just trying to do some advanced planning.

The factory rims are 18x8's for 245/40's if that helps.

- ex

 

Some other wheels you can check out that is somewhat out of the mainstream stuff you find at tirerack are:
www.hrewheels.com
www.maswheelhouse.com
www.wheelpower.com

good luck!

 

I really like the Operas and Velas, but only in the 2 or 3 piece wheel with the rivets.

 

i did a little photoshoping and i think these lowenharts are the perfect candidate:

 

Exsilio: With such a great car, I would opt for some better rims than OZ (OZ makes great rims, just the styling is generic)

Here's a photoshop'd image with the new Lowenhart BR5's...John, I hope you don't mind that I just used your picture (I didn't feel like looking for another one! )

Oh, these are 20's...and the car has been lowered a little

 

Ok..two more...

Top is the HRE 543 (3 piece forged...about $1500 each for high polished 20")

Bottom is the Kinesis K28 (3 piece forged...about $1200 each for that color or silver in 19")

 

Ok....one more...Lowenhart LR5

 

And last, but not least, a close up of all the rims

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions....awesome job. Glad other people know their way around photoshop.

So here's a questions or two for you guys.

The 430 can only support up to 19" right?

And I might want to wait until the run flats give out, before I buy new wheels. I hate to lose those straight off the bat. But the rims have to go.

Do you guys like the little rivits along the rim? I'm not sure I like them.

And finally, what are the url's to the sites where you got the rims?

Thanks.

- ex