question for y'all:

I am going to need new tires soon, currently I have the stock Goodyear GS-D tires on there. I could do one of the following:

1. Keep stock rims, go to a 235/50/17 tire all around. (probably goodyear F1-D3, they are rated well and come in this size).

or:

2. get 18" rims (was looking at the kazera kz-a or the nismo lm gt-4 wheels), and get 255/40/18 on back, and 225/45/18 in front.

Note: I am interested in performance, and I think a 19" or 20" rim is too heavy. What would the likely understeer/oversteer habits of each set be (other handling characteristics too)? The stock tires loose grip too easily in the rear IMO, probably cause they are so narrow.

Other wheel suggestions too, the volk gt37 and enkei rp-03 also caught my eye.

I have a silver sedan (no aero kit yet, perhaps in future).

I'm in the EXACT same position, and hope to see some responses to this post!!

I just got the Kazera kz-a put on my 04 sedan in 18 x 8 front 18 x 9.5 rear with Kumho Ecsta ASX Ultra High Performance All-Season 245/40/18 f. 265/35/18 r. and Tein H-Tech springs (1.4 front drop .7 rear) and it looks awesome!! No rubbing, lines up perfect with fender.
The offsets are 38 front and 45 rear (perfect!) and I am amazed at how aggressive it looks in a very classy way. The rear with the wide stance is something that makes me smile even five days after install.
I know they are not Volks, Work, I-Forged,etc...but the Kazera is an outstanding looking wheel especially in the staggered setup. I wish it would stop pouring rain here in St. Louis so I can wash it nice and get some pics up for you guys.

No offense to the "stock" crowd but the car takes on a whole new look with with the right wheel/tire set-up that makes stock look like your driving your grandmas car.

PS- Went 18" with all-seasons because I live in the crappy unpredictable Midwest climate.

I wanna see pics ASAP.

Send some to goldclam17@yahoo.com when you get a chance.

Boon, I'd like too see pics as well mate. Sounds like a nice set up.

Will do when Noah comes by and picks up my G... (Still pouring for the third straight day, I guess it could be worse, could be snow)

I have an 04 6MT sedan, and here is what I chose to go with...

Volk CE28N's 18x8.5 front and rears, offset of +40mm. I chose to use Yokohama AVS db S2's in 245/40R18 size. The tires have worked out great for me so far - relatively quiet, good dry and wet handling. I have a mild drop of 1" up front, 0.75" in the rear on HKS Hipermax coilovers, and have no rubbing issues.

Here are some picts...

I think that looks SWEET.

jstwong;
Nice setup; I'm going with the same sizes myself.
******************
FWIW
I was looking at a stagged setup as well, & was surprized
at how much size specs differed between manufacturers.
I found it dificult to get a good match on the front & rear DIA spec for staggered tires.
Some examples:
F1 GS-D3
245/40 18 DIA= 25.7"
265/35 18 DIA= 25.3 (almost 1/2" smaller)
Yok ES100
225/45 18 DIA= 26.1"
245/45 18 DIA= 26.7"
& 245/40 18 DIA= 25.6"

Some of the best matches I found were with Michelin & Toyo;
MichPS
225/45 18 DIA= 25.8"
245/40 18 DIA= 25.8"
&255/40 18 DIA= 25.9"
-------
245/40 18 DIA= 25.8"
275/35 18 DIA= 25.7"

Toyo T1-S
235/40 18 DIA= 25.4"
265/35 18 DIA= 25.4"
--------
245/40 18 DIA= 25.7"
275/35 18 DIA= 25.6"

I have 245/45/18s all around on 18x8 Volk GTC Gun Metal. The tires are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (Chicago winters )

Coolie you're a brave man to run Volks in the winter

yeah, i've already seen the damage (salt spots) after one snow storm. i guess i'm the type of person who's going to enjoy what i buy to the fullest. after the wheels "die", i'll get new ones. (just not the type to leave an extra set sitting around in the garage)

What did you do with your OEMs?

I mounted snows on mine & put the summers away.
- added them to all the other stuff I've got stored.

LOL...My wife likes to get a dig in once in a while
"your garage is bigger than the house & you still don't have room for anything"
I usally threaten to put an addition on & she gets quiet in a hurry

i was able to sell my stock wheels and tires with 20,000 miles

i'm not a big fan of saving things i won't put back on (exhaust, intake, filter, etc.)...so those just went in the garbage. it's not that i can't (i have space), i just don't care to...just a different preference then some people.

Yes, I was also looking at a staggered set up, but where do you draw the line on size differential? I thought you needed to keep the diameters within 1% to not screw up the speedo and VDC. At 25.3 you are 3.8% under the stock 215/55-17 (26.1 dia). With this in mind it would limit you to the MichPS as the only choice.