FAQ: Rims, Wheels that Look Good on the Riv

robotennis61 wrote:

yeah.I didnt want to say anything but dere hideous.

They were the wife's idea LOL

Hey guys check out these buick wheels that are listed on my local craigslist. I believe they would bolt right up. They are 17x7 and have a 5x115 bolt pattern.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/pts/3007516792.html

If they include the tires, and they aren't too worn, i may consider buying these with my next pay check.

Also would these winter tires be too skinny for the stock 12 spokes? For the price it would be nice to have winter tires, and i could sell the mustang rims.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/pts/3085773540.html

I have a set of these (Fittipaldi forces), thinking about getting them powder coated black with keeping the polished lip

ghpcnm wrote:

highwaywarrior wrote:

whered you get the buick wheels?

I got my rims and tires from MVP Wheels http://www.mvpwheels.com/ The tires (Michelins) and 18" rims are take-offs from a 2011 Buick LaCrosse w/ 0 miles. Price was $1100.00. Shipping was an additional $200.00. I also had my wheels professionally redrilled and machined to an exact fit, which was another $350.00. Total investment $1650 & WELL WORTH IT IN MY OPINION. (New car ride unlike many aftermarket rims)

Dave,
What part of the LaCrosse wheels did you have re-drilled? Don't they have the same bolt pattern (5x115), hub (70.3), and offset (+42) as the Riviera? I would think they would mount without modification?

Thanks,
Max

I was looking around on Tire Rack. I found these:

I love the simple looks on them. I think they fit the styling perfectly.

Matt, I think they would look great on a Riv. Check tire prices though. Someone recently told me that 17" tires are more expensive than 18". Might save some $ by getting 18"s. I never checked but this may be true.

They don't have those rims in 18". I checked, and for some high performance all season 150mph+ rated tires (Hankook I think?) WITH the rims it was ~$850.

Just gonna stick this right here for later..

Gentlemen (and the few ladies here) :

I need some help deciding on some summer wheels. After searching for a month, I've narrowed it down to 2 sets of wheels. Oddly enough, they both happen to be the same brand lol. I can't find anything else I like.

The Sport Edition SE-14 (been brought up before) - Prefer the 17", since 18" seems to be scarce.




Sport Edition F11 - Probably the 18"





Haven't looked at many tires yet, but that's not the point. What do you guys think? Like I said, I literally can't find anything I like in my price range.

I vote the first (SE-14) all the way! I think those would look great!

IMO It's hard to beat a bold 5-spoke for a performance look (Torque-Thrust, Cragar SS)

I say the F11s

Both solid choices. Which you buy depends on a few things. And I'm not surprised they are the same brand. Sport edition offers a good variety of sport wheel styles at the lowest prices.

My opinion on style: SE-14 is a luxury touring look. Sporting, but conservative - looks like something the factory would provide as a premium option. If you plan to sell your car, these would probably be the best value adders.

F11 is a sports car street wheel. 5-spokes are what you find on Corvette, Mustang or Porsche, or a vintage muscle car. A wheel like this can transform a sedan or coupe into something much more performance-oriented. If you are trying to make a statement rather than blend in, these might be it. They are also very easy to clean!

Wheel diameter: 17" means your tires will cost less. Since you are planning to use in summer, it's tempting to mount a high-performance summer tire. Wheel size could be the difference between spending $500 and $800 on a set of rubber. It also affects your ride and handling. 17" (+1) will be slightly firmer than stock with the same rolling tire dia, and will grip a bit more (wider contact patch). An 18" (+2) will be significantly firmer, and offers even more grip since it is probably wider still.

Another thing you might consider is checking craigslist sales in your area. I scored a mint condition set of 18" Enkeis w/decent rubber for $500, which on paper were worth 3-4 times that. Best of luck!

My choice would be the The Sport Edition SE-14 ... preferably 18" but 17" will do

My choice!

SE-14 = classy and sharp
F11 = muscle

I like em both!

Thanks for all the opinions and advice everyone. Although you guys crack me up...you're split 50/50 like I am lol.

Aaron, thank you for all the sound advice as well. It still has me torn. I like both wheels for all the reasons listed, so if it's ok, how about if I ask you guys this:

Since the theme (inside and out) I started with when I bought my Riv was to make it into somewhat of a Gran Sport model, what style wheel might match that theme better? The car doesn't have a ton of engine mods, just the basics and a downpipe, and I'll be doing a 3.6" pulley.

Probably the SE14's would match with the theme better?

I do like myself a good old 5 spoke though...but maybe like Aaron said, it's too much of a 'statement'.

5-spokes are making a statement, but I wouldn't say it is "too much". I really like my 5-spokes, but if I were getting something new, I would probably move in the direction of something like this (race track/BBS inspired).



Now THAT'S making a statement!

anyone know a good black wheel with a fat white lip? That's what I have been keeping an eye out for.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ptd/3517992052.html

I like the wheels that Rick has on his blacked out Riv. Well, before he painted the rim black too . They were a nice 5 -spoke black with polished rim.

Speaking of polished, I did a little more digging and looked up real pictures of the wheels i want. I'm glad I did, as it turns out, they're finished in two different silvers. The F11's (which i was leaning towards) are the same silver as my stock Riviera wheels. The SE-14's are coated in a silver that almost looks like the wheels has a machined surface, which is kinda sexy in the 'real' pictures. I think that did the decision for me...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=446002&stc=1&d=1287756912

Okay, let's settle this once and for all...
Put SE-14s on one side and F-11s on the other side (Your choice of which style goes on which side because I can't see that it would make a difference)

SE-14's. Makes it look like the Riv Concept.

Lol Dave...

I think you guys helped me pretty good with this decision. I'll be getting the SE14's, likely wrapped in General Altimax's at 235/55/17. I still need to do more tire research, but I have a set limit I'm trying to keep myself under. I had those same tires on my Bonneville and they did great and lasted nearly 7 years between the former owner and me, and gripped pretty darn good.