Thread: Biggest noob question ever with rims

Hey everybody I just signed up for this forum tonight and I do not have any clue what the hell anyone is talking about with rims but I am trying to learn and find a set. I have a bunch of dumb questions and will probably get a bunch of crap for asking them but if anybody has time for this they would help me out a bunch.

I have a 2004 grand prix GT2. I did not do much with it yet but i did get the pfyc.com body package after smucking a deer and added 35% tint. Im looking at purchasing rims.

1. 18 or 20": this I can't decide. If i get 20" rims will they fit right or will I have to do something else to my car for them to fit (lower it, pound fenders, etc)? If I can just put them on, is it worth getting 20" or is it worse on gas and a rougher ride?

2. I have no idea what the offset means. I was thinking about getting these davaj cameo rims in 18 or 20": Davaj CAMEO 18 inch Chrome Wheels - In stock! - 5x100 - 18x7.5
will these fit on my car? the website says they would the 18" are 18 x 7.5 and the offset is 40 (whatever that means). The bolt pattern shows 5 x 100 and 5 x 114.3. The 20" are 20 X 8.5 w offset of 40 and bolt pattern of 5 x 114.3 and 5 x 108.

3. If these are okay do I need anything else with these? I read something somewhere about hub rings what are those all about? (told you i dont know anything)

4. What size of tire should i get? Im guessing 245/45/18 if i get 18" rims. what size with 20s? I live in northern WIsconsin we get alot of snow would it be okay to ride these all year round or is it recommended to change them in the winter? I was thinking if I got 20s that I should put on the stock rims in winter as I cant imagine them doing too good in the snow. I also thought if I got 18" rims and put on all seasons I could run them all year.

THanks guys and advice or even insults would be greatly appreciated.

I would personally go with 20's on a 2004+.

As for offset, (I just learned too) the lower the number (For eg; 36 vs. 48) will mean the wheel will stick out more of the wheel well, putting the wheel further away from the strut, to avoid rubbing. This will also give your car a wider, more aggressive look.

With the 97-03 GP's i know if you put 20's on AND lower your car you will need to roll the fenders, but with the 2004+ I don't think so (from what I've read here.)

Also, you'll want to use the 5x114.3 pattern, as far as I know 04+ is the same bolt pattern as 97-03, which is 5x115, and 114.3 will fit just fine.

If youre going to use them year round get a really damn good winter tread on your tires, I'm buying some 18x8.5's for my '00 Gp gt and im only using them in the summer, we get way too much snow in Canada. I wouldnt use them in the winter either, just due to the elements wearing on a rim and ruining the finish, but that's just me personally.

Take a look at my thread "Question: Really need some help, 18x8.5 rims" and maybe Personal Message the guy who has been responding to my posts, he's VERY helpful and really knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff.

THanks alot cboth thats a good start.....I'm really thinking about going w 20's. Do you think Offset of 40 would be ok like those rims i put the link to and what do you think of those? I'm thinking now the best thing would be to just use these for summer time or until the snow hits cuz we get pounded pretty good too.

The website for the rims i linked actually says an offset of 40

Originally Posted by Quicklynx

I think you just typed too fast and didn't realize what you wrote, but the 48 offset is going to be closer to the strut

haha good catch that was horrible english, and no im not ESL! (Just at work and had to be fast and sneeky around the boss.)

But yeah, what I meant was, 36 will be further from the strut, and 48 will be closer to the strut. meaning, with 36, your wheels will stick out more (if you were to look at the car head on.

and those rims are pretty sweet dude, i had a buddy with almost identitical 20's on a monte carlo and it looked absolutely wicked.

if you're keeping your car stock height the 20" should be okay, but ask around here a little more, once you lower the car is when I get confused as to what will fit.

as for the 20" tire size, go to tirerack.com and select a 20" wheel then click "continue shopping for tires" and it will give you the best size.

Where are you from? Honestly for that price just for the wheels seems a little high, if you look on craigslist enough you will come across lots of deals right now. Lots of people out of work and selling all their "toys". I actually found a set out in California that I think I am going to ship to me in KC, and still come out WAY ahead. Wheels and tires with less then 100 miles on them for $900 with shipping, that is for a set of $1800 wheels and tires...