FAQ: Rims, Wheels that Look Good on the Riv

I agree with Dave. Certain Rims do take away from what the riv is, even if they dont look all that bad, imo. The Riv is not a muscle car, but high end luxury style. Charger wheels dont fit that look! I say save your money! Its tough to find a good unique set that fits the Riv both physically and cosmetically but they are out there!

I want to buy a set this summer if I can find a good deal on a rim and tire package. I currently have my eyes set on these...



They are TSW Interlagos and I really think they would fit the styling of the Riv well. I think I would most definitely want 18's but I wish I could see them mounted at both 18" and 19" first!

I also was looking at these for awhile



They are called Ninja NJ09. I like them for the Riv AND you can find them fairly cheap in a 5x114.3 17" or 18" but I dont want to settle on something thats potentially a one time investment if its not the best option!

If money is no option, Vossen rims are very flashy but look good on everything!





but realistically, not good enough to justify spending $3-4k on just rims for a Buffalo driven car!
Ive found so many more Rims that fit the Rivs styling lately, you just have to dig deep and keep looking!

The TSWs look nice! I agree. It's a big 1 time investment. Make sure you do it right the first time.
I can't wait until I'm ready to get mine! Can't wait to get those OEM wheels off my riv!

I'm also considering putting Rancho shocks in the back, so I want a wheel I can reach through to adjust the shock.

th3fr4nchi5e wrote:

The Riv is not a muscle car, but high end luxury style.

Interesting perception. I know a few owners of high-end import luxury sedans who would argue the complete opposite, based on the fact that Rivieras offered a lot of power & torque at a relatively affordable price. $32k was a decent amount, but a truly high-end luxury car could easily run $50k or more in the late 90's. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln comes to mind. But a Riv could match or beat many of these cars in straight line performance, which is also more of what muscle cars are known for. Fact: at the time of Riviera's introduction, no coupe or sedan from Buick offered more power since the GN.

The Riv is a Riv.

Let me rephrase that, wheels that fit chrysler rwd cars can fit ours, which means we have more options style wise, didnt mean chrysler brand wheels

AA wrote:

th3fr4nchi5e wrote:

The Riv is not a muscle car, but high end luxury style.

Interesting perception. I know a few owners of high-end import luxury sedans who would argue the complete opposite, based on the fact that Rivieras offered a lot of power & torque at a relatively affordable price. $32k was a decent amount, but a truly high-end luxury car could easily run $50k or more in the late 90's. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln comes to mind. But a Riv could match or beat many of these cars in straight line performance, which is also more of what muscle cars are known for. Fact: at the time of Riviera's introduction, no coupe or sedan from Buick offered more power since the GN.

Actually, Buick did make another car that was faster than the Riv, the 1987 Buick Skyhawk 2.0 Turbo. It ended production months around the time the final GN rolled across the assembly line. I'd love to find a Skyhawk Sport Hatch or T-Type one day, but they are literally extinct. There are probably less than 50 remaining on the road today. I actually called on this one in the picture, but it sold an hour earlier. Tough luck, as I haven't seen another Sport Hatch since. They have really cool GN inspired traits such as the hood bulge and two-tone seats.

If only.........

highwaywarrior wrote:

Let me rephrase that, wheels that fit chrysler rwd cars can fit ours, which means we have more options style wise, didnt mean chrysler brand wheels

Understood...I just don't care for OE Rims of one make on cars of another make, ie.
Ford on Chevy, Chrysler on Buick, etc.
Buick on Buick is great or go with aftermarkets / IMO

charlieRobinson wrote:

If only.........

Sweet...sans the portholes.
I see some 70's boat-tail lines and I really like that Buick lettering.

I'd take it just like that. Then rub my naked body all over it. Yes.

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