FAQ: Rims, Wheels that Look Good on the Riv

I see what your saying AA but I meant strictly from a styling standpoint! The fact that the Riv doesnt have a muscle car appearance (at least in my opinion) is what makes it a sleeper! When I think of muscle cars, I think limited interiors and other options, very affordable and aggressive styling like a Mustang or Camaro!

charlieRobinson wrote:

The Riv is a Riv.

I think Charlie said it best! I think this is exactly why its difficult to decide exactly where the Riviera fits!

Quote :

Actually, Buick did make another car that was faster than the Riv, the 1987 Buick Skyhawk 2.0 Turbo.

Right, but it's still a fact that Riviera offered more power than the Skyhawk. With only 165 HP, the Skyhawk was more of a sport compact than a muscle car, imo. I'm sure it was quick, though.

al_roethlisberger wrote:

Looks like the 06-11 Lucerne 17x7 wheels may fit too. Tirerack says they are 5x115 and the backspacing is similar to the Riviera spec.

Here are some admittedly poor photos of the Lucerne 17x7 2006-08 (I believe also through 2011) wheel installed on my 1995 Riviera. I didn't have a chance to weigh the rims alone, but mounted with tires the Lucerne wheel/tire is 5-6lbs heavier than the stock Riviera SC 16x7 wheel/tire. The stock 16x7 wheel/tire combo was about 42lbs and the 17x7 Lucerne combo was almost 48lbs. That's not really a surprise.

I've been driving around for a couple days with the one oddball Lucerne wheel on the back and think it looks very nice, and have received a number of compliments on the wheel versus the stock wheel. Although arguably it would be hard to notice just one wheel with such a minor difference, I can say I haven't noticed any harsher ride with the 17x7 wheel/tire.

Al,can you try them in the front and tell us how they feel,any vibration?

stan wrote:

Al,can you try them in the front and tell us how they feel,any vibration?

Already did for about a day, no problems

I didn't want to keep it up front for long though as it is a 235/50 tire which is just a tad smaller in diameter than the true +1 sizing of 225/55. I wasn't sure how happy that mismatch would make the transmission for a longer duration.

But yep, it felt fine. I didn't get any impression that the higher weight impacted steering or handling feel significantly or really at all.

I have read up quite a bit on the issues and disadvantages of higher unsprung weight, and 5-6lbs is not insignificant, but I don't think that for my typical street driving I'll notice a difference.

I've also been keeping an eye out for a "Riviera" center cap to replace the Buick tri-shield, but I'm actually digging the Buick center after a few days, much like the 1963 had Buick badges before the "R" was adopted.

Al

al_roethlisberger wrote:

chitown_riv98 wrote:

I was looking at sum 17 inch Buick lucerne rims. 300 for the 4 stock chrome rims no tires. I wonder how much a set of kumhos would run me in 17?

You must be looking at the same set on eBay from LKQ that I was looking at The opening bid was $299 with free shipping, and no had bid on them the last time I looked. It is a good deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Lucerne-17-Chrome-Alloy-Wheel-Rims-Set-OEM-LKQ-/360648469740

No worries on competing for them though, I don't think I want chrome. If that set, be aware they are pitted and the chrome is bubbling off which can cause sealing problems at the bead.

But I agree, personally the 17" Lucerne wheels from 06-11 (5x115) should be great looking wheels on the Riviera. I see other versions of this wheel listed also as 16" and 18", but I'm not sure if it also really came in these sizes or the listings are incorrect. I have verified through research at Tirerack that the 06-11 17x7" Lucerne wheels are 5x115 and seem to have a similar backspacing as the stock Riviera wheels. I'm hoping to pick one up in the coming weeks for a test fit.





Al

FYI, some photos of one of these 17x7 Lucerne wheels installed on my 1995 Riviera are here:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t454p90-faq-wheel-tire-lug-bolt-pattern-center-bore-info#161337


Fit like a glove, both with hub, lugs and offset/backspace. It looks completely stock.

Al

Al, the wheels look great! NICE! Too bad they weigh more.


What is the widest 16" 17" and 18" tire we can fit on the Riv? Is this a silly question?

charlieRobinson wrote:

Al, the wheels look great! NICE! Too bad they weigh more.


What is the widest 16" 17" and 18" tire we can fit on the Riv? Is this a silly question?

Yeah, they do weigh a bit more, but it is a typical weight difference (from 16 to 17/18) on an OEM wheel from the research I have done.  For a street car it shouldn't be an issue.

Interestingly, since I was also looking at the Tire Rack "Sport Edition SE-14" 17x7 wheels, they seem to weigh about the same with tires installed as the OEM 16x7 wheel/tire.  So they appear to be slightly lighter wheels, probably by that same 5-6lbs than the oem 17x7 wheel.   I didn't have a chance to personally weigh the SE-14 tire/wheel combo but I found some online documentation that put the wheel at around 25lbs if I recall.

Also, the "backspace" on these Lucerne wheels seems to add just a little width as they are placed just a bit further out than the stock wheels.  I haven't measured it yet, but I'd say maybe 1/4 to 1/2 wider, but it is really only noticeable if you have stock wheels on the car to compare side by side.  The Lucerne wheels look completely stock and correct.

Al

I am looking for a super light, 16" or 17" wheel, as wide as I can fit. Any suggestions? I have come to accept that it will probably be casted in China with Chinese alloys.

charlieRobinson wrote:

I am looking for a super light, 16" or 17" wheel, as wide as I can fit. Any suggestions? I have come to accept that it will probably be casted in China with Chinese alloys.

.... scary picture there


Well like most things in life, there are trade-offs.... such as cost and quality. 

I am sure you can get an awesome forged lightweight wheel that no amount of reaonable HP/Torque our cars are capable of generating could break, but what is your budget??  

$1.5k for wheels and tires. is that doable or am I off?

Looking at that wheel is like looking at a crashed Riviera - it will break if you abuse it! Made in USA or China makes no difference!

Another photo of the 06-11 Lucerne 17x7 wheel installed on the rear of my 1995, in slightly better light.

Why arent you sporting the same wheels all the way around?

charlieRobinson wrote:

Why arent you sporting the same wheels all the way around?

$$ and testing

I bought a single wheel first to make sure it would fit properly, then planned to drive it for a little while to be sure there are no unexpected issues with the type of wheel..... and to be sure I even liked it 

...and so far I do, as well as the rest of the family

For some reason these Lucerne wheels are pretty pricey though, even used, perhaps because they are somehat new??  A refurbished OEM Riviera wheel is about $120 with free shipping, where a scratched used Lucerne wheel in this style starts at $150 + shipping.  A refurbished Lucerne wheel of the same type is usually around $190+

I have three more local Lucerne wheels I can get for $149, but they'll need to be repainted like the one I have on the car now.  And maybe I'll run across one at LKQ the next time I'm at the yard that are cheaper.  But there's no hurry to change them out yet as the tires on the original 16x7 Riviera wheels are still good.  So I'll just slowly buy all four then repaint them..... although I don't "dislike" the original Riviera rims really. 

So my jury is still out whether I'll spend more money on replacing the other three with the Lucerne 17x7s.  We'll see.  But I am leaning toward using the Lucerne wheels.

Al

been looking around for the pontiac bonneville gxp wheels, mm mm mm

I've tried that route. Unless you have $1600 laying around for new ones, you won't find them. They're made by Alcoa (makes all the GXP wheels) and discontinued.

Yeah I hear ya

Not looking for any validation, but just sharing





...anyway, as some of you may recall, I've been looking at replacing the stock 16" S/C wheels with some 2006-10 Lucerne 17" wheels, which I like quite a bit.  And I've had one of the Lucerne wheels fitted to the rear for a couple weeks now to see how I like it.

I think the Lucerne wheel looks right at home and it does look more "sporty", but as I've taken the time to actively take in the look of the Lucerne wheel, I now find that the stock wheel is growing on me too.

Yes, the stock wheel looks a bit chunky and reflects its vintage, but the Lucerne wheel with its radial "spokes" also has become a very common style of wheel in the last few years.  Before looking at this style wheel for the Riviera, I hadn't really noticed how many other OEM wheels have adopted this look.... but they are everywhere

However, the "chunky" Riviera wheel is a real standout (as is the Aurora wheel) and looks like nothing else on the road.  And of course is properly branded wth the R logo

And I can get a refurbished Riviera wheel for $120, free shipping, and is 5-6lbs lighter than the Lucerne wheel.  *sigh*

Choices choices...  

Guess I'll keep that Lucerne wheel on for a while longer.  I may buy one of the refurb Riviera wheels and see how nice one looks "new".

Al

al_roethlisberger wrote:

al_roethlisberger wrote:

Looks like the 06-11 Lucerne 17x7 wheels may fit too.  Tirerack says they are 5x115 and the backspacing is similar to the Riviera spec.

Here are some admittedly poor photos of the Lucerne 17x7 2006-08 (I believe also through 2011) wheel installed on my 1995 Riviera.  I didn't have a chance to weigh the rims alone, but mounted with tires the Lucerne wheel/tire is 5-6lbs heavier than the stock Riviera SC 16x7 wheel/tire.  The stock 16x7 wheel/tire combo was about 42lbs and the 17x7 Lucerne combo was almost 48lbs.  That's not really a surprise.

I've been driving around for a couple days with the one oddball Lucerne wheel on the back and think it looks very nice, and have received a number of compliments on the wheel versus the stock wheel.  Although arguably it would be hard to notice just one wheel with such a minor difference, I can say I haven't noticed any harsher ride with the 17x7 wheel/tire.

BTW, picked up another of these Lucerne 17x7 rims the other day and remembered to weigh one without a tire mounted, and it is about 23lbs which seems somewhat typical for this "class" of OEM rim in this size.

http://www.wheelfire.com/scontent/WheelDetails.cfm?IDNumber=Ruff_Racing_R357_Silver_Machined-Lip&SKU=10410&TireIDNumber=WestlakeSV308&TireSKU=11308&VehicleMakeFinal=Buick&VehicleYearFinal=2005&VehicleModelFinal=Park%20Avenue&VehicleOption=Ultra what do uguys think on a white riv?

Anyone tried putting corvette rims on? I found a set that's 5x115, I just don't know how they would look. Pics or a photochop please?

matt270avian wrote:

Anyone tried putting corvette rims on? I found a set that's 5x115, I just don't know how they would look. Pics or a photochop please?

Which ones are you talking about?

The 5 spokes with the thinner spokes. Link;

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/pts/3909605311.html