Old gal has some new shoes...

[Renaldo]

I've posted elsewhere with a few photos of my new new 17x7.5 Team Dynamics Equinox wheels shod with new Vredestein Ultrac 215/50/17 rubber. But I really didn't share any photos of them with the full car. Well after delays with chasing down wheel bolts to mount said package, and then being away on business, I have finally got around to taking a few shots of the car with the new wheels & tires.

Just to cover a few questions asked prior on a previous thread and to maybe anticipate a few new ones:

These wheels are drilled 5x98

I didn't get the weight of just a wheel, but wheel + tire combo = ~43lbs

Offset escapes me, but rear wheels look like they could use some 10mm spacers to bring them out a bit.

I have experienced no rubbing/contact of tires and fenders or inner wheel wells.

Yes, 50 series tires are a little taller than the norm...my AR Ricambi Sport Springs had the car sitting even lower than B&G springs, so I wanted to get a little ground clearance back. 50 series still gives excellent handling without being unduly harsh. Fills the wheel wells nicely too IMHO!

Dry AND wet handling have been excellent. I haven't noticed any excessive road noise (someone metioned an EVO article elsewhere on the Vredesteins).

Yes, 225 or 235 series tires fit in the 164 wheel wells...maybe next time I might think about trying 225's but so far the 215's are more than enough to handle my spirited driving style for the public roads.

Wheels & tires were ordered from Joe & Mick @ Group2 in Seattle. They are a distributor for both Team Dynamics and Vredestein.

[Renaldo]

A few more photos closer up...

And yes, that is Giugiaro Design you see on the sidewall...they designed these tires for Vredestein. That's kinda cool, especially on an Italian car, but definately lost on the general public. Tires are "Made in Holland."

[sjmst]

Those wheels on the 164 look awesome!

I think the 215/ 50 17 tires are a perfect choice.

Do I see another black LS in the background?

[elite38868]

Renaldo, looks excellent! But now that your calipers and discs are showing....

[g84]

Looks really great. I was thinking of the Vredesteins as well when i was about to get new tyres but i only needed two. I went for the Dunlop SP 9000 ZR 205/55 16 since i already have them in the front. The Dunlops is very good in the dry and good in wet but the best is that they are silent, very low road noise.

JK
164 Q4 -95

[Renaldo]

Yes, my eye spies a black LS in the upper driveway...lots of other 'treasures' in my driveway and surrounding parking spaces much to the chagrin of my neighbors. But hey, no CCnRs where I live...oh well!

Yes, now that my puny, girly man rotors and OEM calibers are exposed to der welt I must pump dem up. Not in the budget currently, but one more thing on the list to address down the road to auto nirvana.

[Nicola]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renaldo ...Yes, now that my puny, girly man rotors and OEM calibers are exposed to der welt I must pump dem up. Not in the budget currently...

[sjmst]

I just noticed you said you might put 10mm spacers in the back. I agree, that would make the whole set up even better. How much of a drop did you get with the new springs?

[Alfissimo Int.]

They look very nice and suit the car well (it is an LS and suits the classiness of it IMO, on a Q it may look different). A spacer on the rear would give a nice stance,better handling and better stability.
I would try a 3mm OEM spacer first to make sure that 50 series tire does not want to run the fender edge. Hard to tell from the photos but it looks close with the amount of lowering from the springs.
I do like the way it looks and the 50 series looks very good. I think 45 would have been fine too. 50 series makes the tires look as they are tucked more.
10mm spacer may work out nicely.
I just put 5mm spacer on a customers car last week with his 205/45/17 OEM 166 wheels (10 spoke) and it made all the difference in the world with not only looks but handling, etc mentioned above.

Nice wheels!!
Jason