It seems like deep dish (large lip) rims are slowly going the way of the dinosaur. I've always favored the deep dish look but I'm starting to dig the concave rims on Fieros, what do you think? And it also seems like the new cars are using concave rims from the factory.
Deep Dish
VS.
Concave
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06:30 PM
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Bruce Member
Posts: 2189 From: Ventura, California, USA Registered: May 99
If you type in HRE wheels on Ebay you'll see a very nice GT40 with concave wheels from HRE. If I'm not mistaken concave wheels are a one piece design. That means when you bend a wheel it's the entire wheel and not simple the other barrel (lip). I personally like both styles, but concave wouldn't be my first choice, but second.
While deep dish (low positive or negative offset) wheels give a great appearance, I suspect most modern performance car manufacturers are leaving them behind for performance reasons. Deep dish wheels mean the control arms are shorter than they otherwise could be if the manufacturer had used high positive offset wheels. Since longer control arms generally give better dynamic suspension performance, deep dish wheels probably are on their way out, except for cars that aim for more of a styling statement than performance.
I tend to like wheels with a polished lip and staggered fitment on the Fiero. However some of the monoblock wheels like on the red GT above also look really good. The Fiero still has a modern appearance so it looks good with a lot of different style wheels.
What I can't get used to are classic 60's muscle cars with way oversize wheels, or wheels that do not reflect the era the car was built in.
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09:34 PM
crashyoung Member
Posts: 1333 From: Lowell, Michigan, USA Registered: May 2012
I tend to like wheels with a polished lip and staggered fitment on the Fiero. However some of the monoblock wheels like on the red GT above also look really good. The Fiero still has a modern appearance so it looks good with a lot of different style wheels.
What I can't get used to are classic 60's muscle cars with way oversize wheels, or wheels that do not reflect the era the car was built in.
fatties in back and skinnies in front, has new meaning today tho...
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09:43 PM
Alex4mula Member
Posts: 7405 From: Canton, MI US Registered: Dec 1999
Big deep dish wheels are big $$$ and you need the space to tuck them. That's why you don't see them that much. In a Fiero even more difficult. To me nothing screams agresive like a wide rear tire with a nice dish. Now some new cars (Vipers, Vettes, Porshe) come with some nice meats but with the wheel gorwing towards the inside (++offset?) so the face is more flat. Some like that way better. Not me
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10:09 PM
Jun 30th, 2012
dratts Member
Posts: 8373 From: Coeur d' alene Idaho USA Registered: Apr 2001
I tend to like wheels with a polished lip and staggered fitment on the Fiero. However some of the monoblock wheels like on the red GT above also look really good. The Fiero still has a modern appearance so it looks good with a lot of different style wheels.
What I can't get used to are classic 60's muscle cars with way oversize wheels, or wheels that do not reflect the era the car was built in.
Take a look at this thread (from 2008-2011). I've been attending SEMA for years now and I've notice a slight change in wheels. Like the Fiero it's a mixed bag for you can go both ways, but some car companies are now using the one piece design and for the Porsche and Ferrari it appears to look the best on those cars IMHO.
The way I'm looking at it is this way. Some colors (like red, black, silver grey) will never go out of style. The same might hold true for deep dish wheels. However, for the Fiero it looks meaner/aggressive if you have a wide body or body that is wider than stock. The objective is to have some serious meat in the back like anything above a 265 to make it look right. You seriously need at least 3" or more for the concave look to appear. Otherwise, it's concave, but a shallow one.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 06-30-2012).]
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02:19 PM
madcurl Member
Posts: 21401 From: In a Van down by the Kern River Registered: Jul 2003
Not a whole lot of concavness, but it's good enough for me. I can only imagine if HRE or other wheel company made a set for a widebody Fiero. I'm sure the deepness would increase.
I had "Mid-dish" staggered on my 88GT back in the day.... but I think the more contemporary deep look awesome on the Fiero. More of a custom exotic look IMO.
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01:24 AM
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Rallaster Member
Posts: 9105 From: Indy southside, IN Registered: Jul 2009
IMO, it REALLY depends on the car. I think on a stock Fiero, a slight concave-ness is preferable, but if you're doing any serious appearance mods, you need to at least consider the deep dish.
If you're going to go to the high end cars, I have a photoshop printout of a Lamborghini Murcielago SV with Mickey Thompson Classic Locks in deep dish and they look gooooooood.
CLICK FOR FULL SIZE
CLICK FOR FULL SIZE
I also have a picture of a Porsche 996 GT1 with Cragar Smoothie deep dish wheels that look alright, but not fantastic.
I had "Mid-dish" staggered on my 88GT back in the day.... but I think the more contemporary deep look awesome on the Fiero. More of a custom exotic look IMO.
Dished wqheels are not out of style but todays cars used different offsets to deal with the new style hub bearings. Most have pushed the center of the wheels out but the mound flange is in or near the center of the wheel.
Most cars today use a sealed bearing that is a roller bearing. This is to pick up better MPG over the stronger better tapper roller bearings of the past that have more drag.
Today it has gotten to the point that most FWD and RWD cars can use the same wheels. It is common for many Terrain and Equinox owners to put on the new 20" Camaro wheels. Same for HHR owners to use Solstice wheels.
It is not a style thing but more a suspension and bearing issue. The leverage of a deep dish wheel is hard on the bearings and the new suspension have a hard time dealing with it. In the past the rear may have had a ball bearing but they also did not have IRS and had a solid axle to carry the load.
[This message has been edited by hyperv6 (edited 07-01-2012).]
Dished wqheels are not out of style but todays cars used different offsets to deal with the new style hub bearings. Most have pushed the center of the wheels out but the mound flange is in or near the center of the wheel.
Most cars today use a sealed bearing that is a roller bearing. This is to pick up better MPG over the stronger better tapper roller bearings of the past that have more drag.
Today it has gotten to the point that most FWD and RWD cars can use the same wheels. It is common for many Terrain and Equinox owners to put on the new 20" Camaro wheels. Same for HHR owners to use Solstice wheels.
It is not a style thing but more a suspension and bearing issue. The leverage of a deep dish wheel is hard on the bearings and the new suspension have a hard time dealing with it. In the past the rear may have had a ball bearing but they also did not have IRS and had a solid axle to carry the load.
Good write up and info.
+ sent your way
[This message has been edited by troyboy (edited 07-01-2012).]
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08:29 AM
Jul 2nd, 2012
Australian Member
Posts: 4701 From: Sydney Australia Registered: Sep 2004
New cars would have deep dish rims but they do not have the offsets so the concave still gives the appearance of a wide wheel. New cars already fill the wheel arches so there is no room for up sizing. Deep dish will always be cool simply because there is no room for a deep dish without widening the body. Deep dish wheels that fit stock cars are usually available with a deeper dish for the real look (i have 3 sizes of same wheel). Lambos with concaves would be the exception but deep concave looks cool like deep dish it is about the widths
[This message has been edited by Australian (edited 07-02-2012).]
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04:20 AM
Fierotoyboy Member
Posts: 265 From: Rochester Hills, MI US Registered: Feb 2005
Only reason I would go with a deep dish is to get more width while keeping the bearing close to the center of the wheel (to keep it optimal). So if I did do such a thing, the lips probably wouldn't be the deep dish, but maybe an inch or two. I think a more modest lip looks better anyways. Some of the dip dish wheels are just going too far IMO.
Really though, it's all about what you want and what you're goal is.
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01:46 PM
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2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
One thing that has not been mention is that a concave wheel or a wheel with a flat face "looks" bigger in diameter, Than a wheel with a lip. For example the red notchie above.
Just my two cents
ps Troy, I have not uploaded any pics of my little project, I will let you know as soon as I do
One thing that has not been mention is that a concave wheel or a wheel with a flat face "looks" bigger in diameter, Than a wheel with a lip. For example the red notchie above.
Just my two cents
ps Troy, I have not uploaded any pics of my little project, I will let you know as soon as I do
Cool I'll be looking for them....... Before Daytona
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06:42 PM
Austrian Import Member
Posts: 3919 From: Monterey, CA Registered: Feb 2007
I think the reason is technical/packaging; It has to do with modern 4-, 6-, 8-, pot calipers, the concave look is required to clear the fat brake calipers.
I noticed my Wilwood 4- pots barely clear the rims by a few sheets of paper thickness. Not sure if a deep dish would even work on my car.
There is no wrong or right answer , just discussing trends. I like both and the new concave with lips, I'm trying to convince my wife that cars should have more than one set of shoes , she told me to justify it so I pointed to her shoe closet.......... Tonight I sleep in the dog house. But she didn't say no
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08:29 PM
SuperchargedV6 Member
Posts: 1966 From: Hinckley, Oh, US Registered: Jan 2006
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