[jbfrench]

Hey guys,

I've only had my Avy for two months but I am already looking to add some flair to it. The first thing I want to change is the wheels. The stock wheels are nice but mine are 13 years old and showing their age. I have the stock 205/65R15 tires on and want to keep them. My real question is, will any 15 inch wheel work? I see wheels that are 15x6.5, 15x7 and 15x7.5 all listed as wheels that will fit. Will any of these work with the stock tire size?

 

[The Digital MagE]

sure. you're only talking 1 inch jb - no biggie, there

i managed to find some "good enough" used 5-spoke stock wheels - not bent and not overly corroded - for about $55 each. the style these days is for all wheel and no tire, and that style is expensive! i like it about as much as i like the style of wearing your belt around your knees...

and so, methinks you will be quite limited in what you will find for new wheels that will accept the stock tires. but i hear (not sure) that mustang wheels fit our cars...

 

[jbfrench]

My stock wheels *look* fine. I just want something more. I was thinking of some Konig Lightning Golds or Motegi Traklites. Both are 15x7's

 

[American Pie]

My car's got the stock 6-spoke alloy wheels that were optional on the '96 model. They look attractive on the car but sadly they're quite scratched up; either the PO was curbing them everywhere he went or he was getting his tires changed at a dunderhead tire store where they didn't know how to work with alloy wheels. I'm always scouting CL for a replacement set at a reasonable price, but I'm also keeping my options open. For example, right now somebody in FL is selling 16"X7" BBS RX wheels for only $400/4, to fit our cars and that seems like an incredible deal. I think they'd look great on an Avalon. :banana:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0329838703&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[jbfrench]

Mine have some scratches on them and a dent here and there. Nothing terrible but I just don't like the 5 spokes that they put on the '98's in the first place.

Apparently 05+ Subaru Impreza's have the same bolt pattern as certain Avalon's (98 and 99 and possibly the rest of Gen 1). I was looking at buying a set of gold wheels but I didn't want to pay 800 bucks for wheels with low pro's on them. There is no need for low pro's on an Avalon, plus they wear extremely quickly.

I'm just having trouble finding wheels with a bolt pattern that matches now. It seems like there aren't many manufacturers that make 5x114.3 wheels.

 

[American Pie]

Actually, 5 X 114.3 (or 4.5") is a fairly common bolt pattern. I believe it was used by most Japanese car makers including Honda, Mitsubishi, and Nissan. Many Lexus wheels will fit too, so there's quite a bit to choose from. Also, both Tire Rack and Discount Tire have some new wheels in 15"- 17" sizes that aren't too expensive, in case you can't find a good deal on nice used ones.

 

[jbfrench]

Really? It has been fairly difficult for me to find wheels that are 5x114.3. Maybe I am just being too picky when it comes to style and specs.

 

[ImDisaster]

If you want to give it a more modern look, plus size the wheels to 16" (plus 1) or 17" (plus 2)...or even higher. I went with plus 2 17's because I didn't want to compromise the ride too much. Both TireRack and DiscountTire have online wheel pickers that let you view the wheels on your car. I've used both of them and been happy with the service. We run snows on the 15's in the winter.

before

after

 

[jbfrench]

If you want to give it a more modern look, plus size the wheels to 16" (plus 1) or 17" (plus 2)...or even higher.

But then I would have to buy new tires. That goes against what I said in the first post.