20" opinion's

[astraelraen]

I'm thinking about going with these:

These were my first choice, but they said you can't use the tire pressure sensors with them and they were around 400 a wheel, so they were out.

Anyone know of places to get wheels cheaper? and/or can you really negotiate on the prices at retail wheel/tire outlets?

I may put off buying some until next spring - as winter comes early here. If i buy them now, I'll have at most 2.5 months of safe driving on 20" summer tires. Plus I don't want to take the chance of curbing a 20" wheel when its icy.

On a side note, has anyone lowered their car with springs or coil-overs? That wheel gap is ok with the stock tires. But with low-profile, I think it will probably look pretty bad.

 

[mrlilguy157]

i'm a fan of 20's or 22's with a decent amount of meat still on them, like what ford explorers or expeditions usually ride on.

as far as TSW goes.... you know what that stands for ======== THE SOFT WHEEL

they bend very very very easily.

 

[CX-7owner]

Oh wow really, thats too bad because I was considering the Vortex rims they have, they look hot on the CX-7.

 

[mrlilguy157]

Oh wow really, thats too bad because I was considering the Vortex rims they have, they look hot on the CX-7.

well if you're careful (just like with any rims) you'll be fine, especially if you run a meaty tire. but my mom had a set of tsw on her van once, and she went through 3 extra wheels within 2 years.

i ran a set and never had any problems, but i cross train tracks at 10mph (slammed on coils) and live in a brand new city with perfect roads, mom didn't.

also had a friend who's had sold them for that reason. just warning you (weakest) = TSW

 

[astraelraen]

as far as TSW goes.... you know what that stands for ======== THE SOFT WHEEL

they bend very very very easily.

I didn't know that, is it because of what they make their wheels out of? They seem to be lighter than equivalent wheels. the 20" Mondello weighs like 34lbs, which can't be that much more than our stock 18" wheel.

I like the staggered look, but it seems harder to find unless you get up into the 400+ range for 20" wheels.

I may go check out some retail stores later today to see their prices. I don't imagine they will be any better than online though.

 

[Killer]

Neato...but you know these will slow down your CX7 don't you?

 

[mikey1981]

I ran a set of TSW 6 spokes on my old Accord 2 door, had them over 5 years with low profiles on them, never a problem

 

[astraelraen]

Neato...but you know these will slow down your CX7 don't you?

You suck, for being so sensible

Now, I'm rethinking, trying to "quantify" how much of an acceleration loss I think would come from wider tires.

I was trying to get lower weight wheels, to keep the wheel+tire weight close to the stock weight, which I think is around 56lbs. With lighter weight 20" rims, I think I can end up at around 65lbs, which is more, but not too much than stock.

Also, its a pain in the ass to find a good 235/60/18 wheel, which is stock. So when I get new tires, they'll probably be 255/55/18. I would get a 255/45/20 tire if I upgraded, so any "slowdown" from a wider tread is going to occur whether I got 20" rims or upgraded my 18" tires down the road.

The local retail tire place, wants ~2010 for the 20" rims above + tires installed, which is like 100 bucks more than ordering it online, which doesn't include installation. They said they would give me 500 bucks for my stock rims/tires if I wanted to trade them in, but if I got 20's I would keep the stock wheels for winter.

I'm considering just getting some other 18" wheels/tires, I could upgrade for whatever the cost less 500 bucks for trade-in, which isn't so bad. Although I would love lower profile tires, I don't think the CX-7 looks bad with the larger profile tires. Although simply getting aftermarket 18" wheels + tires would cost me around 800-1100 including the 500 off, depending on the wheel I got, I'm not sure if its really worth it to simply swap 18's.

And then there is always the sensible question of whether I really want to drop 2grand on wheels and tires lol.

 

[Killer]

Sorry..(lol2)

 

[Gray Ghost]

On a side note, has anyone lowered their car with springs or coil-overs? That wheel gap is ok with the stock tires. But with low-profile, I think it will probably look pretty bad.

I just had the sport springs installed on my 7 and they are awesome. Ride quality is unchanged but car handles better due to lower center of gravity. I also had 255/55/18 Goodyear F1 tires installed. These tires are sick.

 

[CX-7owner]

PICS OF THOSE SPRINGS! I wanna see what the CX-7 looks like when dropped.

 

[Gray Ghost]

PICS OF THOSE SPRINGS! I wanna see what the CX-7 looks like when dropped.

I will post some pics this week. I can't find my digital camera but I will borrow one this week to gets some pics up. I have nothing negative to say about the springs. I love them. If you are thinking about getting them, but were worried about the ride being too harsh, it is not. I would definately reccomend them if you want to take the handeling to the next level.