? about 17 inch BBS race wheels

[wastintime]

Hey everyone,

A friend of the shop is making me a set of BBS race wheels, and I feel bad complaining because he's basically giving them to me, but at the same time the wheels better darn well look good. Lol, anyway... I just think that the centers look really small. I was told that there are not larger centers available for 17inch race wheels, and if this is so, I may really want to think about some 18inchers because I don't really think they look good in 17 with centers this small. Anyway, here are some pics from testing the offsets, if anyone thinks these look right or wrong let me know.


Thanks guys

[doozer]

Andrew, I am going to be honest.

looking at them makes me hungry for pizza..

I am sure they are good quality but they look a little out of proportion.

But on the other hand they do look custom!

Thanks
Todd

[Az911]

I agree with Todd about the centers looking out of proportion

[Yellowbird RS]

Center are to small, I agree but they are just for racing days right?

[wastintime]

Yes, they are just for racing days, and the main things about them that I like are the low weight, strength, and repairability, and if anyone has seen that "when a porsche owner decide's to get serious" poster, they look the be in the same proportions, but still... you don't want something that looks out of proportion.

[PorscheGuy79]

Wow they look preatty darn cool imo.

[Jack Olsen]

To my eyes, they look funny. Of course, if you powder-coated the whole wheel black, it would be less noticeable.

Tire availability notwithstanding, would it be possible to pair 16-inch BBS halves with the same centers?

[wastintime]

They do fit 16inch rim halves, but then like you said you get into problems with tire sizes. Lol, as far as powdercoating the wheels, I hate to say it, but I used to think gold wheels were just tacky and ugly but they actually look pretty good to me against the G. red.

I also wonder how the correct offset will effect looks. The correct offset is going to move the centers 1.5" closer to the outside of the wheel. I'm hoping some larger centers are going to be available.

[jpahemi]

17" is the largest you can go with a 20 bolt center; ideally this bolt count is better suited for 15 & 16" and would have better proportions. I believe the centers are magnisium and quite expensive new. Call BBS Motorsport, Jaime will help you out with size and offset. 1800 442 7972 X 3029.
J.P.
Ps. Do NOT powdercoat the centers unless you mask the mounting flanges.

[Eric Mckenna]

I'll buy them from you if you don't like the way they look..

Eric

[Amac]

I know they look a little funky, but they're
good track wheels.
If your not hardcore racing, sell em to "Eric".

[GeorgeK]

Damn, Eric, you beat me to it
I'd have sold you mine then, because I know these wil fit over my calipers.

[89911]

I'm not sure what you mean as far as larger centers for BBS. The Lm series are nice wheels in 17" that fit 911's.

http://www.wheelenhancement.com/index.php?t=WheelDetail&id=78

Now of course, they aren't going to be the bargain you seem to be getting.

[jpahemi]

LM series are not BBS Racing; a whole different wheel, no comparison.
J.P.

[Elombard]

I dream of those in 16" and black. Those are the coolest wheels on the planet. A little weird looking in the 17" like you say. If you can spend it the 964s look so nice with the 18" version.

[wastintime]

Like, JP said, the LMs are incomperable as they're not race wheels, and the whole reason I'm trying to make these work is that they are race wheels.

Lombard,
*sigh* 18s... I personally think some 18s look bad on 964s lol, because they're centers end up being too big and look weird. Granted the LMs look great in 18. Also, 18s are more expensive, and 18 inch tires are much more expensive. These are wheels that I'll probably be putting new tires on every 5 months or so... the cheaper the tires are the better. Also, I have big reds on the car, which are the biggest brakes I'm going to put on it, and they fit unfer 17inch rims... lol, only a few mms of clearance, but they fit, so there's no reason to get 18s incase I upgrade the brakes. That's why I'm avoiding 18s unless I just have to use them. And 16s look wrong on 964s, plus they restrict the tire sizes too much.

either 17s or 18s are pretty expensive, and even getting these at a great price doesn't seem worth it if I don't like the looks of them. Lol, I don't know what to do. I'm sure I'll end up making the wrong and therefore most expensive decision.

although... LOL, you guys that think they're the greatest wheels... maybe I could sell them and pay for a set of better wheels. Fair warning they are wide (17x8 front and 17x10.5 Rear) with 964 offsets. nah, j/k that would be a little too mean I guess.

[Yellowbird RS]

A BBS wheels just like yours 17" for a racing car, looks the same!

[jpahemi]

They do look better in 16", no question. Centerlocl really adds the race element to the wheel. Another expensive option in 18", would be the Porsche Speedline from the 965 (turbo).
J.P.

[jpahemi]

Here's the 70-80's look in BBS Race form:

This is a 5.5X15 being used as my collasable spare.
Here a pic of the tyre mounted (pic courtesy of George K):

Inflated:

j.p.

[Eric Mckenna]

Mine are 17"ers as well....

-Eric