Wanted! RS Watanabe Rims

[Alfadog]

that guy just had no idea hey...

[EricB]

Hi guys!

Thanks for the compliments Alfadog... I've had the Z for more than 2yrs and every time I walk out to the garage it still amazes me that I own a Z and that it looks the way it does....

Yeah i've still got quite a bit of work in front of me to get it right but all in due time I guess.... It's been a California car all it's life and yet I still have to replace the floors (the passenger side si actually quite pressing) and I should also say that it basically has no shocks any more.... But aside from that I love it to pieces...

TO answer your question I originally got 15x8 front and 15x8.5 from Alta and when some months later a pair of 15x9s showed up I traded in the 8 so now it's 8.5 front with 205/55 and 9 rear with 225/50... The 9s are definitely TypeB, the fronts could be either - I am not quite sure...

Option Video (yes the Japanese company) filmed the first USA Drift event near me a couple weeks ago - I attended as a spectator only and found one guy with a Corolla who had two 15x8 TypeRs on the back of his Corolla - wow... never thought I'd see them stateside.... (A Type-R wat will have very simply an upper case "R" stamped next to the three duck logo....)

-e

[mmagnus]

If I am going to us 1 inch lowering springs, do you think this size would fit without the flares or modifying the openings?

Mark

[EricB]

the 8.5s fit with little to no rolling of the rear fender... when i put the 9s on with the 225 width tires then i did have to go at it in no uncertain terms with the hammer.... heck since i don't plan on running the car ever w/o the overfenders i guess i could even go ahead and cut them up under there for weight savings...

[mmagnus]

Finally spoke to someone at So Cal Alterations and it seems they only sell used Watanabe and have a very limited supply. As a matter of fact they didnt even have a set of 4. So, my search continues.

Mark

[Alfadog]

There are 2 sets of 2 on ebay at the moment... maybe one pair matches up with one pair So Cal Alterations has??

[24OZ]

Keep an eye on zparts,com wheel page. They dont have any Watanabes up at the moment but you could always email Eric and ask him to look out for a set for you.

[mmagnus]

I think I found a website that carries RS Watanabe. www.magnesiumwheels.com. I sent an email for them to contact me regarding availabity. I believe I am correct in saying that 240z has a 4x114.3 thread pattern.

PLease let me know if I am wrong.

Mark

[HS30-H]

Hi Mark,

Yes, the PCD ( Pitch Circle Diameter ) of the S30-series Z is 114.3mm, and its a four-stud as you know. Many Japanese manufacturers went with a Metric equivalent of existing Imperial sizes, to make life simpler for everybody.

PLEASE be careful that you don't accidentally end up with a close but not quite right PCD if you are buying used Watanabes. The Mazda PCD of 120mm has often been bought by mistake ( been there - bought the t-shirt! )................

You also want to be REALLY careful of the auction sites like e-bay, as I've spotted mis-described Watanabes on there before now. The most common mistake is for sellers to advertise the FWD type of wheel as being suitable for an early Z. Pay attention to Eric B's explanation of the offset types and model types and all should be well. The sizes that you seem to be interested in should visually appear to be very deeply dished ( lots of Negative Offset ) and not so "flat" looking, so it really ought to be apparent what type is being sold from any posted pictures that you can see.

I run 14 inchers on my car ( currently 8J ) and frankly I find that with modern rubber they offer a little TOO MUCH grip for my liking. They grip and grip and then let go very suddenly, with not a lot in between. Not good on a very busy Track Day circuit event. I'd prefer harder and less grippy tyres but they are a devil to find in the 14 inch diameters, so you will be a lot better off with 15 inch or more. I am using a British-made tyre ( AVON CR65 TURBOSPEED 225/60x14 ) but I guess you will have a lot bigger choice available to you than I do over here.

Good luck,

Alan T.

[mmagnus]

Thanks for all the great advise. I will let you all know the out come. Being as my car is going to be in the paint shop for three more months, it gives me plenty of time to look around.

Thanks again

Mark

[EricB]

mark,

Availability at Alta changes all the time... there's a new shipment from Japan every month and yes they are all used - so what? it's not like they are scratched up... Anyways I am going there saturday afternoon for some new used tires... fyi.

-e