rim question

F06CUS · 20-10-2009, 02:19 PM

hey everyone,
Sorry to bring up another thread along this line, but just after a clear answer.
Is 8.5" rim too wide for a focus?
i'v done alot of looking, just havnt found a definate answer. i read on an old thread that 9" would fit, but turning was bad. would this be the same for 8.5?
very curious because the rims im looking at only come in 8.5. my car is also lowered 50mm (its quite low) this may effect the answer, i'm not sure...
enlighten me

cheers guys

Tj-zetec · 20-10-2009, 03:06 PM

I used to have 18x8's on my LR and with 225/40/R18 tyres it used to scrub in the back over hard bumps quite regularly (I think it fouled where the top corner of the bumper met the wheel arch) 35 profile tyres didn't reduce it by much.
However the fronts were never a problem.

It's worth mentioning that the car was at standard ride height for the zetec, which was lower than the others by a small amount.
From memory I could just get a finger between the inside wall of the tyre and the front strut so you could encounter offset issues provided you can even get them on.

My LV XR5 came standard with 18x8's with 225/40/R18 rubber and a much lower than standard ride height and it's fine.
Plenty of guys have lowered xr's but I don't think they've had issues.

I guess it depends on what model focus you own. Personaly I wouldn't go wider than 8 inch. Not only for fitment but for the cost and availability of the tyres themselves.

F06CUS · 20-10-2009, 03:24 PM

hmmmm. alright thanks for that. a little upsetting :( lol. iv got a 06 zetec.
anyone elses thoughts???

melbzetec · 20-10-2009, 04:06 PM

Not quite sure why that's upsetting.

The information TJ gave you about the LR Zetec (first half of his post) is no longer relevant as you have now told us that you have an 06 model.

What is relevant is that his XR5 ..with lower suspension...copes fine with an 8" rim. Which means there is a possibility that 8.5 will be OK.

However, I'd have to question whether there is any upside at all to having 8.5" from a performance POV

Try looking on www.ffoc.co.uk , the British Focus site, as it have some better answers for you

F06CUS · 20-10-2009, 08:05 PM

alright will do. i would happily go 8 its just they only make the rim 8.5 for 18/19 inch.
i also sent www.european-parts.net an email yesterday asking if it would fit my model, they gave me a simple reply saying they will fit any 5x108 configuration. did not mention the 8.5 width.
but ill have a look on the uk forum. thanks

outback_ute · 23-10-2009, 11:35 AM

Look into it carefully, as you may upset the steering/suspension geometry if the offset of the rim is different from standard, this is important on a fwd car.

NZ XR6 · 23-10-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F06CUS

alright will do. i would happily go 8 its just they only make the rim 8.5 for 18/19 inch.
i also sent www.european-parts.net an email yesterday asking if it would fit my model, they gave me a simple reply saying they will fit any 5x108 configuration. did not mention the 8.5 width.
but ill have a look on the uk forum. thanks

The offset is critical as Outback_ute says. I ended up buying Ford wheels for my Mondeo as I couldn't find anything else with the right rim width and offset.

The Focus XR5 wheels are 8" wide with 52.5 mm offset. You might be able to run 8.5" rims with a slightly lower offset - say 50mm. But you'd want to carefully check any wheel/tyre combination on the car if you run a lower offset than this.

Mad_Aussie · 29-03-2010, 05:58 PM

Can anyone quickly let me know what the standard and optimal offset is? Looking at some rims online and need them to fill the guards... a lot are coming up at +48, but I want the bastards to sit flush, or a good half centimeter outside of the guard.
I'm presuming XR5 brakes fit inside a 17" rim? I'm sure i'll need to start a new thread to ask about the intricacies of brake upgrades on poverty-pack 06 focuses? :P

(Sorry for digging up old threads)

melbzetec · 29-03-2010, 07:57 PM

"or a good half centimeter outside of the guard."

Is that what you really want?

Especially since it is, AFAIK, illegal, and I'm pretty sure, guaranteed to get you a defect notice

Mad_Aussie · 29-03-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Is that what you really want?

short answer? yes.

Quote:

want the bastards to sit flush, or a good half centimeter outside of the guard.

melbzetec · 29-03-2010, 10:41 PM

Good luck

leakey · 30-03-2010, 08:50 AM

FOCUS 4x4?

Mad_Aussie · 30-03-2010, 11:37 AM

no, focus mad offset with flares. Not asking opinions, asking a technical question. Offset?