Wheels and Tires

[msmith6773]

can you put the classic looking tires with white letering on the 17" x 9" and 17" x 10.5" Vintage Halibrand Replica Wheels or do the not fit and you have to run lower profile tires? and can anyone post pictures of there wheels and tires on the car. i like the 17's wih the wider wheel but i want to keep the thicker tire look.

28378
are these the 15 inch wheels or are they the 17's

28379
and if these are the 17's is this the only profile tire hight you can put on these? or can you put tires like the picture above on?

[mike w]

Check out this site:

http://tredwearletters.com/factory-matched-white-letter-tires-kits/

[edwardb]

Both of the pictures you posted appear to be 17 inch wheels. Hard to tell much difference between the tire profiles. I don't know anything about white lettering. The link from Mike W looks like an option. The 15 vs. 17 inch wheel discussion has multiple factors beyond only appearance. Yes, the 15 inch wheels, and resulting larger tire sidewall, give a more authentic look. And many stop right there. One could also argue the deeper sidewall gives a better ride. The rest of the story, though, is that you will have fewer tire options for the 15 inch wheels. And some of the options are quite pricey. You will also have brake limitations. Some of the common OEM and Wilwood options do not fit into the 15 inch wheels. There are some Wilwood options for the 15 inch wheels that are apparently very good (I don't have personal experience) but be prepared to pony up some bucks for those. Not trying to sway you one way or the other, but just take into account all factors and make a decision more on just appearance. I have 17 wheels on both of my builds. While neither are low budget builds, I just went with the lower cost and more options for 17 inch wheels. Even shopping for 17 inch tires the options aren't that great because the industry is generally going for even bigger wheels, especially in these widths.

This is my Mk3 with 17 inch Team III's. BFGoodrich 315's in the back, 245's in the front.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/th_IMG_1523.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/IMG_1523.jpg.html)

Not a great view, because it's not done yet, but this is my Mk4 with 17 inch FFR wheels. Nitto 315's in the back, 255's in the front. Not the best picture, but you get the idea.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2008102013/th_IMG_2235_zps8d6cbcac.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2008102013/IMG_2235_zps8d6cbcac.jpg.html)

[msmith6773]

the white lettering i was reffering to is the B/F good.. that type of lettering, the original look tire. now i have a bmw M! with low profile tires and well its a pain in the *** with rough roads and pot holes. how well do the lower profiles rie on these cars



Both of the pictures you posted appear to be 17 inch wheels. Hard to tell much difference between the tire profiles. I don't know anything about white lettering. The link from MikeW looks like an option. The 15 vs. 17 inch wheel discussion has multiple factors beyond only appearance. Yes, the 15 inch wheels, and resulting larger tire sidewall, is a much more authentic look. And many stop right there. One could also argue the deeper sidewall gives a better ride. The rest of the story, though, is that you will have fewer tire options for the 15 inch wheels. And some of the options are quite pricey. You will also have brake limitations. Some of the common OEM and Wilwood options do not fit into the 15 inch wheels. There are some Wilwood options for the 15 inch wheels that are apparently very good (I don't have personal experience) but be prepared to pony up some bucks for those. Not trying to sway you one way or the other, but just take into account all factors and make a decision more on just appearance. I have 17 wheels on both of my builds. While neither are low budget builds, I just went with the lower cost and more options for 17 inch wheels. Even shopping for 17 inch tires the options aren't that great because the industry is generally going for even bigger wheels, especially in these widths.

This is my Mk3 with 17 inch Team III's. BFGoodrich 315's in the back, 345's in the front.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/th_IMG_1523.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/IMG_1523.jpg.html)

Not a great view, because it's not done yet, but this is my Mk4 with 17 inch FFR wheels. Nitto 315's in the back, 355's in the front. Not the best picture, but you get the idea.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2008102013/th_IMG_2235_zps8d6cbcac.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2008102013/IMG_2235_zps8d6cbcac.jpg.html)

[edwardb]

the white lettering i was reffering to is the B/F good.. that type of lettering, the original look tire. now i have a bmw M! with low profile tires and well its a pain in the *** with rough roads and pot holes. how well do the lower profiles rie on these cars

This is a performance car with basically a race suspension and a short wheelbase. And it rides that way. If you're expecting something different, you will be disappointed. I can say from personal experience you will avoid really rough roads and pot holes. (Not easy to do in Michigan right now...) Having said that, I don't think the ride is harsh. With the really stiff chassis and suspension design, it's very controlled and I like it very much. In fact some of the really bad roads actually feel better in my Roadster than my DD (Acura TL). But it is what it is. If you haven't had a chance to ride in one, I would try to. Owners in your area would be happy to show and take you for a ride. I've done it a bunch of times. Just don't expect to drive one. How much difference between 15 and 17 inch tires? I don't know. I've only driven on the 17's. Perhaps someone who has driven both can weigh in.

[msmith6773]

no im not expecting a cadi or limo ride i know how preformance suspension rides, its what i have on my mgb

[mike w]

I have 15" wheels because I prefer the look (more original). The car actually rides nice for a performance car. I only use my car as a cruiser. If you are looking to track your car, I would suggest you go with 17".