Titled as such to help folks searching in future times.......I had a heck of a time getting info on these wheels but after poking around I made my choice and today they were installed.
So I thought I'd make a new thread in hopes of helping some folks who are searching and trying to figure it all out like I did. I'm new to aftermarket wheels. This thread will hope to be a one-stop destination for someone doing research on Rota wheels and specifically Grids. Just read all this, then go to eBay and click "Buy it Now".
If you have Rota Grids, feel free to post pics of yours, make sure you include wheel size and tire size.
SIZE
I bought Rota Grids in 17x8. I wanted something that bolted right up. I was interested in weight reduction but also in style. I like 17s (sorry Rick), I feel like they fit the car really well. I wanted grey wheels (these are 'hyper black' which is really grey). I hoped for 17x7.5 which they do make but they are not available in the USA. I called the Rota HQ in California, they barely speak english and never returned my calls after two conversations. What they did communicate is they could possibly special order them but they would take 2 months and I'd pay shipping which would be several hundred dollars. That sucks, plus if a wheel is damaged you're screwed looking for a replacement. So 17x8 it is. I picked these wheels after looking at probably 1000 wheels. It gets confusing. But I kept coming back to the Grids. Maybe I was drawn to them because of my Subaru heritage, these are popular with those cars.
LOOK
I PM'd and texted and talked to 3 or 4 folks who I'd learned had these wheels but didn't post pictures. After tons of research and looking I resolved that the 17x8 wheel was going to be acceptable on my 215/40/17 wheels. I was a bit concerned that the edges would stick out and get damaged from road grit and pebbles and etc., plus I was worried about the stretched look. But as you can see in the pics below they look great. The tire isn't exactly protecting the rim but the rim isn't protruding either. FYI my Federal RS-R 215/40/17's are 22.49 lbs, have 86mm sidewall, tread width = 7.5", section width = 8.7". Interesting things to know when you're matching wheels to tires, not all tires are created equal.
SPRINGS
I'm lowered on Mountune springs. On a flat road (others have the same, it's normal I've decided) the front is maybe 1/2" higher than the rear, I think it looks that way because the fender shape is a bit different. A few of the pics make it look higher but that's because I was parked on a slight hill.
WEIGHT
These weigh 19.4 lbs. each. They are supposed to weigh 18.9 according to the internet but that's not true. Still that's 3.1 lbs./tire which is 12.4 lbs. which equates to the feeling of 124 pounds less on the car.
PERFORMANCE
I'll report more later - I only drove home and had my stock wheels in the back so I couldn't go speed racer. But acceleration feels about like when you add an intake to a car. Not a huge gain but a minor noticeable gain. I'm sure cornering will be improved and such as is common with lighter weight wheels. Again I didn't drive aggressively since I had my stockers in the back, plus rain. But more thoughts on this after more driving happens.
OTHER STUFF/ADD ONS
If you get these you'll need the following things:
(1) new Ford OEM valve stems - Ford sold me these for $12 each. You need the ones compatable with the OEM TPMS. You can get Schrader versions for $4 each on Amazon here, they're supposed to be decent.
(2) lug nuts - I'm not actually sure if these are necessary but I got a set of spline drive wheel nuts for $39.99 at Advance Auto, they match the new wheels better, who wants shiny silver lug nuts on your new Rotas?
(3) hub centric rings - also not sure if these were truly necessary but for $15 you can't lose. I got aluminum ones, this exact product and they fit perfectly, hub and wheel. The installer did sand the wheel side paint down very slightly, just enough to help the rings fit right in snugly.
WHEEL CAPS
The seller (eBay) I purchased from only sent me 2 caps...more are on the way but in the meantime I've got a spare set on loan. Not sure which I prefer. The incoming ones are taped on in one of the pictures...
INSTALL
I am so thankful to my friend Daniel aka [MENTION=4142]SwAp GaS[/MENTION] who is a service manager at the Honda dealership and found some way to have these installed for me for free. That's old wheel off, dismount tire, mount tire on new wheel, balance, re-calibrate TPMS...great dude and a blessing I did not expect. Thanks again Daniel!
PICS
OK here are some pics thanks for reading all my rambling....I'll post more when it's sunny, it's a dreary day but here are some pictures...
So I thought I'd make a new thread in hopes of helping some folks who are searching and trying to figure it all out like I did. I'm new to aftermarket wheels. This thread will hope to be a one-stop destination for someone doing research on Rota wheels and specifically Grids. Just read all this, then go to eBay and click "Buy it Now".
If you have Rota Grids, feel free to post pics of yours, make sure you include wheel size and tire size.
SIZE
I bought Rota Grids in 17x8. I wanted something that bolted right up. I was interested in weight reduction but also in style. I like 17s (sorry Rick), I feel like they fit the car really well. I wanted grey wheels (these are 'hyper black' which is really grey). I hoped for 17x7.5 which they do make but they are not available in the USA. I called the Rota HQ in California, they barely speak english and never returned my calls after two conversations. What they did communicate is they could possibly special order them but they would take 2 months and I'd pay shipping which would be several hundred dollars. That sucks, plus if a wheel is damaged you're screwed looking for a replacement. So 17x8 it is. I picked these wheels after looking at probably 1000 wheels. It gets confusing. But I kept coming back to the Grids. Maybe I was drawn to them because of my Subaru heritage, these are popular with those cars.
LOOK
I PM'd and texted and talked to 3 or 4 folks who I'd learned had these wheels but didn't post pictures. After tons of research and looking I resolved that the 17x8 wheel was going to be acceptable on my 215/40/17 wheels. I was a bit concerned that the edges would stick out and get damaged from road grit and pebbles and etc., plus I was worried about the stretched look. But as you can see in the pics below they look great. The tire isn't exactly protecting the rim but the rim isn't protruding either. FYI my Federal RS-R 215/40/17's are 22.49 lbs, have 86mm sidewall, tread width = 7.5", section width = 8.7". Interesting things to know when you're matching wheels to tires, not all tires are created equal.
SPRINGS
I'm lowered on Mountune springs. On a flat road (others have the same, it's normal I've decided) the front is maybe 1/2" higher than the rear, I think it looks that way because the fender shape is a bit different. A few of the pics make it look higher but that's because I was parked on a slight hill.
WEIGHT
These weigh 19.4 lbs. each. They are supposed to weigh 18.9 according to the internet but that's not true. Still that's 3.1 lbs./tire which is 12.4 lbs. which equates to the feeling of 124 pounds less on the car.
PERFORMANCE
I'll report more later - I only drove home and had my stock wheels in the back so I couldn't go speed racer. But acceleration feels about like when you add an intake to a car. Not a huge gain but a minor noticeable gain. I'm sure cornering will be improved and such as is common with lighter weight wheels. Again I didn't drive aggressively since I had my stockers in the back, plus rain. But more thoughts on this after more driving happens.
OTHER STUFF/ADD ONS
If you get these you'll need the following things:
(1) new Ford OEM valve stems - Ford sold me these for $12 each. You need the ones compatable with the OEM TPMS. You can get Schrader versions for $4 each on Amazon here, they're supposed to be decent.
(2) lug nuts - I'm not actually sure if these are necessary but I got a set of spline drive wheel nuts for $39.99 at Advance Auto, they match the new wheels better, who wants shiny silver lug nuts on your new Rotas?
(3) hub centric rings - also not sure if these were truly necessary but for $15 you can't lose. I got aluminum ones, this exact product and they fit perfectly, hub and wheel. The installer did sand the wheel side paint down very slightly, just enough to help the rings fit right in snugly.
WHEEL CAPS
The seller (eBay) I purchased from only sent me 2 caps...more are on the way but in the meantime I've got a spare set on loan. Not sure which I prefer. The incoming ones are taped on in one of the pictures...
INSTALL
I am so thankful to my friend Daniel aka [MENTION=4142]SwAp GaS[/MENTION] who is a service manager at the Honda dealership and found some way to have these installed for me for free. That's old wheel off, dismount tire, mount tire on new wheel, balance, re-calibrate TPMS...great dude and a blessing I did not expect. Thanks again Daniel!
PICS
OK here are some pics thanks for reading all my rambling....I'll post more when it's sunny, it's a dreary day but here are some pictures...
![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]"){kind=icon}
It came down to the Titans and Grids for me. I did go with the Titans but I think both look great. The Titans are 2# lighter per wheel but I really like the look of the Grids. Tough choice. Let us know if you get any rubbing with the slightly taller tire along with the lowering springs. I plan on getting coilovers and dropping things a little probably next year. ![[ridinghorse]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_ridinghorse.gif "Riding Horse [ridinghorse]"){kind=icon}
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
![[wink]](/images/smilies/wink.gif "Wink [wink]")
