Lookin for 19's, need help deciding (PIC HEAVY)

What's it gonna be?

  • Vossen VFS-1

    Votes: 7 46.7%
  • BBS CI-R

    Votes: 1 6.7%
  • Ford BOSS 302S

    Votes: 6 40.0%
  • Niche Targa (silver)

    Votes: 1 6.7%
  • Write in (post below)

    Votes: 2 13.3%
  • Just pick a damn wheel already!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    15

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
I'm going to split this up into a couple posts to make it more digestible. Here's the background and the dilemma, posts after will be w/ the options. Here we go:

A couple weeks ago I got a set of 19x8.5 and 19x10 "Magnetic" style wheels from American Muscle and got some Bridgestone's to match (255/40R19 and 285/35R19). Long story short, there were tons of defects in the finish on the 8.5's, so I got an exchange from AM (they were pretty cool about it), and low and behold the replacements were just as bad, maybe worse than the originals. My shop warned me too about the cheap chinese made wheels you get from AM, and told to put the wheels on the spindle an spin them to make sure they were true. Sure enough three of the four had a bad enough wobble that I just decided to return the whole set for a refund. Killed me to, I was a big fan of the style:





pxl_20210306_154512728_mp_5173235d8532ad5a32dbac510050888b5d91355a.jpg


All the green sticky notes point out the defects, but the 2nd pic below shows a little more closeup of a couple. One or two wouldn't have been a big deal, but one wheel had a big fisheye and the other 3 8.5's had enough of these embedded in the clear coat it was gonna drive me crazy.

pxl_20210315_014920350_2446017ada4e41e964b5f0024bdef00cf62dacb3.jpg

pxl_20210315_014728848_mp_a9cbde298d4b938ea37c87852e2dc6da19754b10.jpg




In a bit of a conundrum now though -- AM was really cool about returning the wheels, but Tire Rack isn't about the tires. I can return them no problem, but I have to pay return shipping and that ain't gonna be cheap. Plus I'm still in the market for new wheels (as you can tell by me posting this thread), and I want to go up to 19's from my 18's. Thing is there's not a lot of wheels out there that I think are going to work too well with Tungsten Gray in the sizes I need (19x8.5 front & 19x9.5 or 19x10 rear).

I'm ideally looking for something with a machined face, or at least a brushed rim to make the wheels pop. Tungsten is a pretty medium gray, and most of the painted wheels in the size/bolt pattern I need are all pretty much charcoal/graphite/anthracite. Just the style right now I guess, but they'll just be kina 'meh' on my car. Take these two as an example.

These are what I'm currently running -- Konig Stampedes. 18's, polished stainless lip. Problem with these is the polished stainless picks up all the dark reflections, so if the lighting isn't right, they're too dark.

dsc_7428_482270f45dbc9015df6a561062c5ced123367961.jpg




So I decided to go all out and dipped them in Anthracite from DipYourCar. IMHO, they were too dark and it doesn't look all that good:


imag0671_4e5f40e76a4b94a136819ed9729630f890647669.jpg




Next up is Niche Misano's I took off my wife's Mazdaspeed 3. Just so happens to be the same bolt pattern and right offsets. If the wheels look tiny, these are 18's, it's just the tires are small(think they're 225/40R18 or something like that). The actual wheels don't look too bad but it does just kinda blend in.


20181104_141017_5970f4f53e87a4a2826525588b0d1a66703bb304.jpg




Here's another one from American Muscle, charcoal magnetic's on someone's tungsten GT. You get the idea by this point...
283210_88979fcf_9d17aea316189799d5952650bf45501dab8800cf.jpg
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
First option is the Vossen VFS-1. This thing caught my eye on one of the forums years ago and I wish I'd gone for it back then because now the options are limited. They came in two main finishes, silver w/ brushed face and matte graphite. Hands down I'd be getting these in silver if I could, but Vossen recently discontinued that finish and nobody has them in stock anymore (believe me I checked -- AM and carID both listed them on their websites, but when I emailed them they said 'sorry, discontinued in that finish and all gone'). And that SUCKS because c'mon...look at them

ford_mustang_vfs1_765_465x698_2e580af4b081af858d104ed0849020d2f65bf1df.jpg

4b3b8340a9a2cac47544abfa375e3042_208ca1f7de261e876f04f1390fc5cc5f3f397c45.jpg

ford_mustang_vossen_vfs1_brushed_silver_14_7fd93d1856821f32a6fd5c6bf02288d393bab841.png




So my only choice is matte graphite. Which looks pretty decent on a Sterling Gray Mustang, but that's a darker paint than Tungsten:

ford_mustang_with_20in_vossen_vfs1_wheels_10490_21442_extra_large_1__113043e0557971d268b52f9903c1e53e8be7d872.jpeg

ford_mustang_with_20in_vossen_vfs1_wheels_10490_21443_extra_large_1__b946693941f77837edf294ce70322e8cf6e1c9c9.jpeg

ford_mustang_with_20in_vossen_vfs1_wheels_10490_21444_extra_large_1__ed974ac2ee9f75d8a3161077a6cac1750d43c4b5.jpeg


This Infiniti is probably closer to what I'd see w/ Tungsten:
139672d1501266011_official_vossen_g37_wheel_thread_post_up_img_20150327_182103_zpsge6oz6gw_068134420ccfae3e1777da41c4b19dbf82af8943.jpg
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
Nnnnext! BBS CI-R. Vossen's ain't cheap but these are even more. They come in platinum silver w/ polished stainless lip (pretty similar to my Konigs) but the stainless lip is pretty thin, so you can't really see it in the pics too well. Advantage of these is they're light and they're a highly recognized brand so resale should be pretty good. Can't find a pic of them on a S197 though:

334de66f492a1d15d101779d5b12f7d2_7065c6cdab161f9c2afb3a3878da6708865cf8df.jpg

31043893_1710385815707003_7121570367941399964_n_52bd44dc4576f0247a79821fb7724099bcea4522.jpg

31100491_1710385775707007_1569244203414578818_n_4aad70fda6a9a915ca009d9b8e177f1b1e04abac.jpg

ford_mustang_s550_gt_bbs_ci_r_wheels_3_a1e20b2ef81a939253bffaa3db4704ee28fcc841.jpg

capture_f86ed5b992859bc9aa0dbeb21a089a060a79e0d9.jpg
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
Option #3 is Ford performance BOSS 302S. I like 'em but I think the spokes are a little too thin and the wheel's a little too open for my liking.
boss302_wheels_tungsten_mustang_eb93cfc7eaeddd2f64b023c9aedd82576fb83084.jpg

boss_302_wheels_graphite_mustang_09b30aeadcbb24dbad07cdde6a267ae2b3479ee3.jpg



Not sure why, but this 3rd pic on the Vapor GT they really pop a lot better than in the pic on the drag strip. Maybe because the black stripe, the car's cleaner, or it's just a clearer pic.

698189_991556cc_7692e2eacf5ae4020b7b84235d9bbe9210d2ecde.jpg
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
Niche Targa in silver w/ machined face. Can't find a pic of these on a gray mustang, so I'll settle for Audi
625e315e785130757aa88d3f45a0840e_fecd17af6c2463ae768076c5956da6b48b73fc49.png

unnamed_5_m29_2420d7804e67afc93f5c211e3a316242f5389b3d.gif
 

Juice

forum member
Joined
Aug 24, 2017
Posts
4,622
Reaction score
1,904
I voted 302s since I have a set. They fit well without spacers. Running the 10" rears on all 4 corners. But I got them for "track only" use so I have no feedback on how they work on the street.

I do like those silver discontinued wheels too.
The rest look like a variation of the 302s wheels.
 

DieHarder

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2019
Posts
1,445
Reaction score
745
Here's Ford Mustang 2015 stock wheels that I swear is one of the best looking wheels on an S197. You can usually pick them up for ~$400 - $500. They're 8.5 x 19 and fill in the wheel wells perfectly. IMG-0326.jpg Judge for yourself.

new wheels hi res.jpg
 

LarryJM

Resident Fuktard
Joined
Jul 15, 2018
Posts
1,008
Reaction score
151
There has been a lot of chatter that S550 wheels do not fit S197s. What does not fit are the lug nuts. They may or may not fit Brembo brakes.
 

oldVOR

forum member
Joined
Apr 9, 2015
Posts
1,754
Reaction score
484
Location
Northern Virginia
Seems like you're attracted to either V or Y spoke wheels which there are plenty variant's on the market.

Of those you've listed, I like the Boss 302 wheels and know they will fit in a square setup using the 19x10 rears at all four corners. They clear all the big brakes, which is a plus as well.

Good luck with your final decision!
 

Stranger

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2020
Posts
656
Reaction score
1,387
...Thing is there's not a lot of wheels out there that I think are going to work too well with Tungsten Gray in the sizes I need (19x8.5 front & 19x9.5 or 19x10 rear).

I'm ideally looking for something with a machined face, or at least a brushed rim to make the wheels pop. Tungsten is a pretty medium gray, and most of the painted wheels in the size/bolt pattern I need are all pretty much charcoal/graphite/anthracite...
Sorry to hear about the bad luck with the A.M. wheels. Glad you were able to test them.

I get it about the dark wheels.
I HATE black wheels (at least with my color) and if you don't want black or dark your just about shit out of luck.
I've been looking for the same finish as you and for the same reasons except I'm working with Red Candy Metallic. Depending on the light, this color can get very dark.
As you know, there aren't very many options.

I'd be happy as f*** if Centerline made the "Auto Drag 2.0" in 19". They're only manufactured in 15" sizes. I'm not holding my breath because it looks like they've decided to cater to the truck world.
Weld Wheels and Forgestars are probably the likely options for what I want but they're pricey, especially the Welds.
At this point, I'm leaning towards keeping the factory 19's and just wrapping the polished surfaces with Matte Silver. If I like the effect, then I can paint them accordingly.

These are the options I'd consider for your color.

Forgestar CF5's?
They come in the sizes that your looking to match and they look pretty aggressive IMHO.
automotive_connoisseur_group_forgestar_wheels_cf5_ford_mustang_gunmetal_gray_satin_gunmetal_oran-jpg.152774

CF5_Deepconcave_100011.jpg
Finishes-_AnodizedSilver.jpg



Forgestar M14's?
silver-ford-mustang-s550-multi-piece-dished-wheels-forgestar-m14-custom-w.jpg

These are custom built to customer specs so you know they're gonna be pricey. Because of that, these would probably be fairly exclusive. Nobody else is gonna have them.

Looking at the rims you've already listed, most of them are thin spoked. With that in mind...
Forgestar CF7S?
mercedes-c63-luxury-sedan-7-spoke-forgestar-concave-wheels-m.jpg

Again, these come in the staggered 19" sizes you're looking for.

Good luck in your search.
 

Gabe

Whippled Coyote
Joined
Aug 7, 2011
Posts
8,440
Reaction score
1,531
Location
NC
I get a kick out of some of these companies' recommendations, saying that a 10"-wide wheel won't fit in the front.
I ran 19x10 fronts and even 20x10s with no issues.
It's all about the offset and spoke design if trying to fit over Brembos. No Brembos, much more choices and easier fitments.
Don't be afraid to look into 9-10"-wide square setups (same size front and rear).
My 10"-wide wheels were 40-48 mm offsets, both fit great up front.
The 10"-width with a 40mm offset in the rear is a tad too aggressive though, as it puts the outer lip of the wheel flush with the fender, so a big tire might rub over bumps. I had 305/35/20 on my 20x10s with both offsets and the 40mm rubbed. The 48mm ones didn't.
 

MrBhp

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Posts
1,250
Reaction score
1,032
Have you looked at Apex Racing? They've got some nice choices and can give you EXACT references for fit. They are doing 18x11 square. They have one of the very few 18 inch wheels that will clear big brakes. Takes a good deal of negative camber, front spacers, and relocating bump stop in rear. I prefer staggered for street driving, and extreme stagger for drag setup. If I ever get into autocross I'll get a square setup.

Here's a wheel that's not bad. When I ordered these they were out of the rear wheels. I ended up stuck with these:

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/20x9-shelby-cs2-wheels-for-sale.137566/
 
Last edited:

eighty6gt

forum member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Posts
4,292
Reaction score
403
Can make weld s71's any way that you like. I prefer polished. Painted would look cool I bet.

weld s71 mustang.jpg
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
Here's Ford Mustang 2015 stock wheels that I swear is one of the best looking wheels on an S197. You can usually pick them up for ~$400 - $500. They're 8.5 x 19 and fill in the wheel wells perfectly. View attachment 77171 Judge for yourself.

View attachment 77170


I saw those when I was searching and they definitely caught my eye. I was looking for something brighter at the time, but they do look damn good. Only available in 8.5 though? I've already got the tires w/ the rear's being 285/35R19. They remind me of a set I saw from Blaque Diamond

s-l1600.jpg Capture.JPG
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
There has been a lot of chatter that S550 wheels do not fit S197s. What does not fit are the lug nuts. They may or may not fit Brembo brakes.

Yeah I guess the lugs are bigger on the S550? 14mm vs 1/2" (12.7mm) on the S197? Wonder if I would need bigger lug nuts if using S550 wheels
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA

Pretty close to the Niche Targa or the BBS CI-R. Like the style, but after getting so many out of round wheels from AM I'm going to try to avoid the store brand wheels (SVE is LMR's brand)
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
Seems like you're attracted to either V or Y spoke wheels which there are plenty variant's on the market.

Of those you've listed, I like the Boss 302 wheels and know they will fit in a square setup using the 19x10 rears at all four corners. They clear all the big brakes, which is a plus as well.

Good luck with your final decision!

LOL yup, I've definitely got a type :D I like 5 spokes too but a lot of them in 19's are flat straight spokes like these:
71TLfjELu7L._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I those'd look good on something like an R34 GTR, don't know about an S197 though. If I could find something like Konig Beyond in 19's

BEYOND.jpg


W/ the Boss 302's, I do like the option of having room for the big brakes later down the line.
 

cavero

forum member
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Posts
675
Reaction score
99
Location
NoVA
Sorry to hear about the bad luck with the A.M. wheels. Glad you were able to test them.

I'm just glad I mentioned it to my shop. They warned me about the cheap chinese wheels not coming true.
I get it about the dark wheels.
I HATE black wheels (at least with my color) and if you don't want black or dark your just about shit out of luck.
I've been looking for the same finish as you and for the same reasons except I'm working with Red Candy Metallic. Depending on the light, this color can get very dark.
As you know, there aren't very many options.

I'd be happy as f*** if Centerline made the "Auto Drag 2.0" in 19". They're only manufactured in 15" sizes. I'm not holding my breath because it looks like they've decided to cater to the truck world.
Weld Wheels and Forgestars are probably the likely options for what I want but they're pricey, especially the Welds.
At this point, I'm leaning towards keeping the factory 19's and just wrapping the polished surfaces with Matte Silver. If I like the effect, then I can paint them accordingly.

Yeah it's really frustrating. Dark wheels look best on dark cars, IMHO but that's what everyone's into right now so that's what sells. Not a bad idea w/ wrapping. 3M's wrap does a pretty damn convincing brushed metal. I also bought a satinizer from plasti-dip I was going to use on my Konigs but haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

These are the options I'd consider for your color.

Forgestar CF5's?
They come in the sizes that your looking to match and they look pretty aggressive IMHO.
automotive_connoisseur_group_forgestar_wheels_cf5_ford_mustang_gunmetal_gray_satin_gunmetal_oran-jpg.152774

CF5_Deepconcave_100011.jpg
Finishes-_AnodizedSilver.jpg



Forgestar M14's?
silver-ford-mustang-s550-multi-piece-dished-wheels-forgestar-m14-custom-w.jpg

These are custom built to customer specs so you know they're gonna be pricey. Because of that, these would probably be fairly exclusive. Nobody else is gonna have them.

Looking at the rims you've already listed, most of them are thin spoked. With that in mind...
Forgestar CF7S?
mercedes-c63-luxury-sedan-7-spoke-forgestar-concave-wheels-m.jpg

Again, these come in the staggered 19" sizes you're looking for.

Good luck in your search.


The CF5's ... not too bad. And cheaper than I thought they'd be. I started looking at Forgestars last week and a lot of what I was turning up was over $1k a wheel. I might try doing a photochop to see how they fit, and they do a silver finish.
 

Latest posts

Support us!

Support Us - Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Sponsor Links

Banner image
Back
Top