suigeneris

Foreword: I realize that this topic may seem redundant, and I apologize to any moderator who takes exception to my thread.
---------

I am knackered! I have tried every tire place in my city to find some place that could carry rims that would fit my car. The trouble is that they all claim to know what car I'm talking about, only to see it and realize that they did not. I believe I am one of MAYBE 10 96-99 RL owners in my city of nearly a million people.

See, all of their 'books' list the car as being able to handle R18 225 45 wheels on 7.5" rims with a 45+ offset. Great. Too bad their books are all wrong.
When rims and tires of that size are applied to the car they stick out too far to avoid hitting the superfluous 'lip' that runs inside and along the rear wheel wells. There's plenty of clearance, sure - but none of it takes that lip into account. We had the same luck with a comparable 17" wheel.

I have basically been told that a 50+ offset and a 7 (rather than 7.5) rim will be required in order for a rim to fit the car. Presuming that 7 and 50+ rule is still true of 16" rims, then it safe to say that there are no such rims in the city either.

The only rims that any store could find were from Rota (a manufacturer that I've heard iffy things about) and cost 400 a piece! Still, they only had a 48 offset, and no store will order in a rim and a tire like that without charging me, even if it doesn't fit.

I'm ready to give up and get god damn hubcaps if this keeps up. Can any of you clever people help me?

Thanks!

Proud Edmonton RL owner (with ugly stock rims)

seamusNH

There are probably others here (or on acuraworld.com or acurazine.com) with experience on RL aftermarket wheels, but try contacting Tirerack.com. They seem knowledgeable when I deal with them...

Edmonton? I have been there once. I hope the Canadian model has heated seats...

OLD_HATCH

If the problem is only iin the rear have you tried rolling the rear fenders?

I have an 03 and I am running 19" rims with a 40 mm offset with 245/35 tires and all I needed to do was roll the rear quarter pannel lip.


Has you car been in any accidents? maybe the quarters were pushed in or suspension bent.

What do your aligment specs look like?

suigeneris

Rolling the fender, eh? In otherwords, forcing that 'lip' up and snug to the inside of the wheel-well. I'll have to talk to my mechanic friend about the logic in doing that... it would sure be nice to find an easy way around all of this. How is that usually done? Is there any detriment to the car otherwise?

And yes, the Canadian model does have heated seats! We got screwed out of automatic headlights, however - there is a sensor, but it only turns up a light that tells me when I should turn my headlights on. At least I'll never forget?

Thanks for your replies... I'll still be interested in hearing if anyone else knows what sizes will fit WITHOUT rolling the fender.
The only other notable difference is the complete lack of a navi option for '97.

astro303

I am looking at trying to find some replacement rims for my 97RL as well - in Canada near Calgary, Still trying to determine if ones I have located fit. Made a post in the wheels section to ask.

__________________
Car 1: 1997 3.5RL Beautiful blue Canadian Car.
Car2: 2000 Honda Odyssey

Roger Murdoch

Anything over 17's and you may have to roll the backs.

Check youtube there are twenty vids on how to do it... both properly, poorly, and with a giant surplus pipe ;-)

Use a heat gun or you'll f up the paint.