Help a wheel newbie out please ...

[Rash]

Sorry if this is long ...

So I'm going to order a 2018 GT shortly after the order banks open. However, I don't really like any of the wheels offered by Ford on the '18. I love the 20" Foundry wheels offered on the '17, so I am considering trying to obtain those for the '18. I am also considering several aftermarket options, but have never bought aftermarket wheels so I am clueless with regards to what size will work with the '18. Offser, spacers, etc - makes my head spin.

Some things I do know:
- This is my daily driver, so not looking for race performance - mostly want reasonable handling/ride quality, kick ass looks.
- I am looking for a square setup so I can rotate.
- I don't like or want black rims
- I'd like to fill the wheel wells as much as possible but don't want the wheel to extend out past it.
- I will not be lowering the car.
- I am leaning toward gunmetal finish.
- I want 19s or 20s.

Here are a couple examples of the look I like:

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showpost.php?p=919398&postcount=1836

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showpost.php?p=668760&postcount=26

On that second one, I don't need the rears to stick so far out, I just love those rims (Ray's 57Getter).

I also like the Vossen CV3-R: http://www.vossenwheels.com/Gallery/VehicleDetails.aspx?id=3571

So questions:

- Are there any disadvantages to aftermarket wheels?
- I've read some bad things about spacers - are they true? Do I need them?
- How do I know what offset, tire width, etc to go with?
- If I buy aftermarket wheels, am I definitely going to have to buy tires or is it possible to swap the tires off the factory rims if they are the same size?
- I haven't yet decided on base GT or Performance Pack- does it make a difference with regards to wheels?
- Should I buy the 20" Foundry's from Ford before the 17 order banks close? Is that even possible?

I basically don't know where to start so hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

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[TheBMWguy]

If you are as lost as you say you are, best bet would be to let one of the professional vendors on here handle things such as offset, lowering, spacers, tire size, etc. I know Paul at PK auto has helped a lot of people here with their setups. My advice would be to talk to a few wheel/tire vendors and have them help you, or do what I did and scroll through 100 pages of the wheel/tire sticky to find out what works and what doesn't for your car. At the end of the day, if you really don't want to lower it you have a pretty wide range of options. You may find that you won't get the look you desire without at least a small drop though. Good luck and let's see pics when you pull the trigger.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Damn dude, they're offering like 100 different wheels for the '18s, you can't find one you like?

- Are there any disadvantages to aftermarket wheels?

It depends on which wheel. If you buy quality, then no, not really. The same factories make wheels for Ford as they do for aftermarket companies. Buy quality and you'll be ok.

- I've read some bad things about spacers - are they true? Do I need them?

Spacers are a solution to get a better flush-to-the fender fit with a wheel which doesn't come with the right offsets from the factory. Pick a wider wheel that comes with the right offsets and you won't need spacers.

- How do I know what offset, tire width, etc to go with?

First pick your wheel width, and then let a good vendor discuss offsets to match your needs. For example, with a 10" wide wheel, square setup, and a slightly lowered car, a +35 works pretty damn well for flush fit.

- If I buy aftermarket wheels, am I definitely going to have to buy tires or is it possible to swap the tires off the factory rims if they are the same size?

Nothing magic here. If the wheel is the same size, you can certainly swap it over. If the shoe fits...

- I haven't yet decided on base GT or Performance Pack- does it make a difference with regards to wheels?

Only thing that might affect is the answer to the above question, because the PP may come with different size stock wheels/tires than the base cars, so it may affect if you can carry over your stock tires to a new wheel.

- Should I buy the 20" Foundry's from Ford before the 17 order banks close? Is that even possible?

I doubt they'll be going away very soon. Buying a set of used 20" foundry wheels is probably your cheapest option, if you can find a set in good condition FWIW. The Ford MSRP price is pretty high, IMHO.

 

[GetYourWheels]

^ pretty spot on.

 

[Paul@PKAUTODESIGN]

Your going to want to verify a few tings as stated

What width you want, allocated price range you want to stick with.

if I may I have a set of Vorsteiner VFF103 wheels in the carbon graphite in stock I can cut you a badass deal on.

Rotory forged, strong wide deep concave and made for the Mustang.

 

[Chef jpd]

Paul is the man......
Give him your parameters and your fully set up wheels will be ready before you get your car.
Idea,,,,,get a set of factory wheels not offered for 2017, and sell them quick to offset the cost. You will sell them in 5 seconds.

 

[Spykexx]

Definitely need to decide on a width, (Or atleast a prefered tire width, as the tire width will dictate what size rims you can use.) Once you decide on a width it can help with your choice in wheels as well, some of the wheels I absolutely LOVED didn't come in the size I needed.

Also I would set a preferred price that you don't want to go over. Wheels and tires can get pretty expensive. Two of your choices up there are pretty damn expensive setups haha. Vossen's and Ray's pricing grows exponentially haha, but so worth it! (I'm sitting on Vossen CV7's at the moment)

Also are you getting a Performance pack? You also have to take into account brake size. On my Vossen's I have about 4mm of clearance between my caliper and my valve stem, and I have the EBPP brakes (Same 4 pistons as GT). It was close haha!

Definitely hit up Paul or NeedForSpeed on the forums. Both will get you going in the right direction!

 

[Paul@PKAUTODESIGN]

Thanks guys

 

[Rash]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply - great info.

How do I decide on a tire width? What factors come in to play? On a daily driver, is it just a cosmetic consideration? I don't want any issues with clearance/rubbing, but want the tires as flush with the wheel well as possible, and would like to try to avoid using spacers. Don't plan on lowering, but you never know. Square setup. So what width works best for that?

 

[Spykexx]

There can be a couple reasons for a given width.

Looks
Traction
Specific racing applications

You stated you want mostly aesthetics, but keeping the handling as well. Realistically anything stock width and up will keep your handling on par. If your going square I'd probably stick to the 275/285 range. I think going much wider could cause a headache in your front's fitment. I've seen some run larger but usually requires a good bit of making sure it all fits.

If you went 19x9/9.5 or 20x9/9.5 you'd have no issues at all with fitment or being flush as long as you get the correct offset. I'm not 100% sure on the offsets for 9's in the rear as I'm running quite a bit wider than that. My fronts are 20x9 and IIRC are at +25? They are about as flush as you can get haha.

But in my honest opinion, find a 9/9.5 wide that you really like, and go from there. That'll fit the tire size you'll want for square. Throw on some 275's and you'll be good to go!

Seriously get with Paul, he'll set you up with all the dimensions you need, and a pretty damn good deal from what I've seen!

 

[Chef jpd]

I have 19x10 square with 275/40
Perfectly flush and no fit issues at all.

 

[jayman33]

its going to come down to budget and your preference in style. We're a huge fan of HRE FlowForms but there are plenty of options out there. Vertini, Vossen, Billet Specialties, Avant Garde and so on.

With the design you're looking for I think you'll like the FlowForm FF04, Vertini RF1.2, Vorsteiner VFF105's and Vossen VFS1.

A couple pics for ya.

 

[jayman33]

Another set of photos on the HRE FF04 and Vertini RF1.1

 

[Spykexx]

[MENTION=9610]jayman33[/MENTION] Budget? Who needs a stinkin budget?!?

 

[Paul@PKAUTODESIGN]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply - great info.

How do I decide on a tire width? What factors come in to play? On a daily driver, is it just a cosmetic consideration? I don't want any issues with clearance/rubbing, but want the tires as flush with the wheel well as possible, and would like to try to avoid using spacers. Don't plan on lowering, but you never know. Square setup. So what width works best for that?

Tire size depends on the width of the wheel you desire and offset.

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