Lucky's Series 3

[Lucky]

Looks awesome, I agree Watanabes/Minilites would look great in the rear, or preferably something else as rare as those! Either way something 8" wide with those up front. Personally I'd stick to 14s on the rear, I've seen a few 7s on 14s recently about the web and I kinda wish I'd gone 14 not 15 now.

IMO spigots aren't vital, considering many of them are plastic is says they aren't load bearing just help you get the wheel centred when putting it on. Using taper seat bolts and sensible cross torquing when doing them up it's no problem.

Lol, don't say that, it's that damn pic of yours in the field that comes up in the gallery pic at the top of the page when I open this site that perverted me to the idea of miss-matched wheels in the first place. It looks fantastic I do agree on the 15s thing, I think the older a car, the smaller the wheels should be (though I guess 14s were pretty huge for the time), it just looks like finding decent tyres is already a chore and will only get worse with time. Depends a bit what pair of wheels I can find for the other end, really. Maybe you should sell me your Watanabes ......

As for the spigots, you're probably right, it just eases my rampant rotanoia a little. I've got too used to an FD failing everything it can whenever it can

[Lucky]

Right, got my spigot rings so I've been fannying around with test fitments today. On closer inspection the tyres are pretty much raped on these, so they'll have to wait till the new year now anyway. Still, gives me time to polish them up nicely. Sorry about the sketchy phone pics

This is the stock offset fail...


..and this is the difference 30mm makes


As far as rubbing and the need to roll or butcher arches, I think we're gonna be fine on the back




Though for some reason they now look like 4x4 stylee ride height. Not sure what that's all about. Anyhoo, look good from the side lol


On the front, sadly I fear our survey said wahhh-wahh. Balls. The tread sticks out past the arch so I expect that's a MOT fail. Although they still don't seem to scrub, and lock is fine, I'd have to drive them a bit and see what hits




But my gut instinct is they ain't gonna work on the front, which is a mild pisser. I was hoping to migrate them to the front eventually and get some wider ones on the rear when I find some properly nice ones. Bum. They look good up front too


All feedback/opinions/speculation/invective welcomed lol

[Steve-A]

Those arches will roll and pull far enough for the front Managed to pull mine 15mm out on top of the normal arch roll. Also don't forget that as you lower the car the wheel will gain camber, so will tuck further under the arch. Also if you're going for new tyres then a slightly different tyre may make enough of a difference.

I say you just need to find something with matching poke for the rear

[ian65]

my personal view is that a set of original condition / properly diamond recut original series 3 alloys are the nicest wheels available for a series 3.... I've never seen anything else that I like better.
Wheels are obviously a personal choice and what one person loves, someone else hates.... if it was me, I'd find some wheels that fit without rolling the arches or butchering the arches.... but it ain't my car!!! ...just my take on things.

[Lucky]

I agree about the arches, Ian. I want to avoid rolling if possible. Although I rolled them on my FD and they're fine, so I wouldn't be too traumatised by it if it came to that though all along I hope to keep the car un-butchered and in a state where it an be returned to stock. I don't agree on the wheels though, I've never been a massive fan of wheels where the face is flush to the rim. Like you say, we're all different, but for me there has to be some dish. They are the nicest FB wheels, I think, but lower offset/dish is the way forward for me.

Anyway, this way they can stay tucked up safe in the garage and in ten years time I'll ahve the only immaculate S3 wheels left in the universe. Mwahahaa

[Marc S]

I feel your pain mate...I am having issues with arches and tyres myself

What size tyres are on the new rims? that arch gap does look big on the back...had you moved the car about after jacking it up, it should settle in a bit after a short drive, and maybe drop a bit

I have 14x7 with 8 offset, and the fronts were outside the standard arch, rears were fine. I have added massive spacers, and wide arches...but not wide enough, got rubby rubby on the rear...more work to do methinks
You could roll and dress the front arches, I think you'll get away with that...

[MelloYello]

hmmmm that is a shame cos they look sweeeeet on the front.....

you'll work something out

[Lucky]

Gahhh, you're going to get me into trouble with Ian for desecrating this poor car, guys

Marc, the tyres are 14 x 195/60, so a little bit smaller than stock IIRC. But not that much smaller. Yeah, that pic was taken just after dropping it off the jack, and there's a slight convex curve to my drive there, but even so.

James, I think they may have to go on the front regardless and I'll have to find a tame MOT man

I kinda spotted some 14x7 ET0 JDM y0 righteousness that I may not be able to resist, no way in hell they'd be going on the front

[ian65]

Hey, it's your car Nik, live how you wanna live baby!

[Lucky]

Hey, it's your car Nik, live how you wanna live baby!

lol, that was a joke, btw But diggin' the 70s vibe in your reply. Groovy