[BUILD THREAD] My AE86 GT-S Hatchback.

[brawler]

The Wheel Debate


Would love to know what The Forum thinks on my Top Wheel picks.

Funnily enough, I was talking smack about black wheels, but the conclusion I came to was that I just don't like MY black wheels.
Let's go over the picks:

1) Advan TC4. Classic, clean.. Note that the one equipped to the car is black, but they come in a gunmetal color, which is what I would go with. Very simple look.

2) The RPF1, the "Baby's first REAL wheel". Super basic, super common, but super affordable. Look, they are normie as fuck. But also, so timeless. Looks good on everything, and the bright silver color would look nice against my car's darker silver, for sure. But.. it's so basic.. My inner desire to "be above it" has a bias against it, but when I see how much they cost, I don't mind as much. (like, they are seriously so much cheaper than the other two haha)

3) The TE37.. Almost as basic, and normie as the RPF1, looks good on everything like the RPF1, but quadruple the price! The sign of a "big spender". Well, I thought the same, they were not even close to my list of picks, until I saw the price of them direct from the factory (using the yen exchange to my advantage.. Suddenly, they were the same price as the TC4. I always liked them on the S-chassic. I think everyone does. And although they look black, they are actually a deep metallic gray. I wish they were lighter, but damn, they look good.

I am seriously split. Look, these aren't my dream wheels by any means, but I would still like to get something that's more my style, even if for the time being (realistically, for the next few years). If spending a bit more means having a car I drool over even more, I am game for it.

What do you guys think?

(also, I was going to post another big update with the car, but I had some shipping delays, so it will have to wait. hopefully soon!)​

 

[kevin supermarket]

the TE37 calls my name on first glance -- something about the shape and color is really doing it for me, though hearing the price comparison is definitely a bit gutting. last thing you wanna do is go blowing a bunch of cash on something you're not sure will do it for you in the long run.

checking back on your car, i could see why a lighter color would be the move for you, which causes me to lean more to the TC4. the RPF1 in any case stands out a lot in terms of color, and personally i'm more attracted to the darker contrast that the other two provide. the TC4, at the very least, has that silver edge around that helps separate it more from the tire.

though, it's probably best you get the opinion of someone who actually knows half a damn thing about cars, so i won't try to dig much further into the reasoning as all i could say is "color + shape = good" lmao. i think the TE37 would still be my pick!

 

[Lesdeux]

Gunmetal TC4's might be the move, not gonna lie. Though if they are only temporary, on a cursory view right now--no telling what the market will do in a few years--it looks like the TE37's are selling for more used. You could, in theory, recoup more once you finally go for the dream wheels. Especially if you are getting them for around the same price as the TC4's. Hell, you might even make money on 'em.

Always good to save money though, toughing out the RPF1's basic factor for a few years to not bet on the market and saving a chunk of change wouldn't be too bad. Especially if that means you can get the wheels you truly want faster.

 

[KeplerElectronics]

I'm also "not a car guy" in the sense that I have no idea what is going on in the subculture, but dang do the TE37s look nice. I think something about the six spokes (are they still called spokes on car tires?) feels more balanced to me than the five of the TC4. but after taking a closer look at your Nissan, I definitely think the RPF1s would look really nice with the darker paint like you said.

Honestly all of the wheels would look pretty nice on your car, you have a really nice setup already. If price were equal on all of them, then the TE37s would be my pick (especially since it seems like importing them would be more affordable than normal at the moment).

Curious what your dream wheels are and how they differ from these (design, performance, some third thing?)

 

[brawler]

the TE37 calls my name on first glance -- something about the shape and color is really doing it for me, though hearing the price comparison is definitely a bit gutting. last thing you wanna do is go blowing a bunch of cash on something you're not sure will do it for you in the long run.

checking back on your car, i could see why a lighter color would be the move for you, which causes me to lean more to the TC4. the RPF1 in any case stands out a lot in terms of color, and personally i'm more attracted to the darker contrast that the other two provide. the TC4, at the very least, has that silver edge around that helps separate it more from the tire.

though, it's probably best you get the opinion of someone who actually knows half a damn thing about cars, so i won't try to dig much further into the reasoning as all i could say is "color + shape = good" lmao. i think the TE37 would still be my pick!

Color + Shape = Good is usually the formula most car guys go for-- sure some care about performance, but like.. even then we all want dope ass wheels hahaha. It's valid to base your tastes on pure vibes. After seeing the dark TE's, I was like.. Woah, was I wrong about black wheels? I thought they just looked bad, period. Now I don't know.. The TE's look so good. And I can always throw them on my other car (not the AE86, but my white S13) if I want to keep them, but want something else on this S15!

 

[brawler]

Gunmetal TC4's might be the move, not gonna lie. Though if they are only temporary, on a cursory view right now--no telling what the market will do in a few years--it looks like the TE37's are selling for more used. You could, in theory, recoup more once you finally go for the dream wheels. Especially if you are getting them for around the same price as the TC4's. Hell, you might even make money on 'em.

Always good to save money though, toughing out the RPF1's basic factor for a few years to not bet on the market and saving a chunk of change wouldn't be too bad. Especially if that means you can get the wheels you truly want faster.

Saving money is good, true! But you are right, the TE37 market is pretty much unchanging. The most sought after sets, dubbed TE37 OG's (the original style for the wheels, which is slightly different, and came in some colors not available anymore), still hold their value at 4-6k, despite looking nearly identical to today's options.

There definitely is the benefit to being able to recoup most of the costs when the time comes to let them go, if that ever needs to happen. TC4's haven't really struck the used market the same from what I've seen, and I doubt it will happen since Advan tends to produce their wheels for long periods of time.

But.. the gunmetal on the TC4 is so nice.. tough choices abound.

 

[brawler]

I'm also "not a car guy" in the sense that I have no idea what is going on in the subculture, but dang do the TE37s look nice. I think something about the six spokes (are they still called spokes on car tires?) feels more balanced to me than the five of the TC4. but after taking a closer look at your Nissan, I definitely think the RPF1s would look really nice with the darker paint like you said.

Honestly all of the wheels would look pretty nice on your car, you have a really nice setup already. If price were equal on all of them, then the TE37s would be my pick (especially since it seems like importing them would be more affordable than normal at the moment).

Curious what your dream wheels are and how they differ from these (design, performance, some third thing?)

TE37's really do have a wow factor no matter what. It makes sense why people dub it "God's Wheel" in the scene, you can throw it on any car and it looks fantastic. Prius, Mustang, Hilux.. All become very cool! And yes, they are called spokes still! I do agree with the balance, I think that's why I am so washy on the TC4's, I wish the spokes were thicker (like Nismo LMGT4's, which cost .. a ridiculous amount of money..)

My dream wheels are Volk GT-C's! I care about style first, performance does not matter to me. I just want swag.

When I got into cars originally, it was during the early 2000s import scene. This was THE wheel to have. I think it encapsulates the coolness of that era perfectly. It still has that aura to me. I hope one day to have a VERTEX body kit on my car and rock these wheels. Cars don't get much cooler than that, to me!! (not true, I am being dramatic, the coolest a car can be is honestly a CLK GTR)​

 

[Lesdeux]

Fuck it, I'm on that full send of the TE37's. Life's too short to not get some of that good shit. Solid investment on top of the pristine look. Hard to beat out. RIP Gunmetal TC4's, perhaps in another life.

My dream wheels are Volk GT-C's! I care about style first, performance does not matter to me. I just want swag.​

GOATED CHOICE

 

[KeplerElectronics]

TE37's really do have a wow factor no matter what. It makes sense why people dub it "God's Wheel" in the scene, you can throw it on any car and it looks fantastic. Prius, Mustang, Hilux.. All become very cool! And yes, they are called spokes still! I do agree with the balance, I think that's why I am so washy on the TC4's, I wish the spokes were thicker (like Nismo LMGT4's, which cost .. a ridiculous amount of money..)

My dream wheels are Volk GT-C's! I care about style first, performance does not matter to me. I just want swag.

​

lol I just looked up a picture of the TE37's on a prius and they really do add like +10 style.

Also those GT-C's slap, I can see why they're so prized, something about the thicker spokes makes me prefer it over the TC4, I was wondering earlier if I just didn't like five spoke wheels, but the GTC's proved me wrong.

 

[brawler]

--- Chapter 8: Getting up to Par ---

The one problem I've had with this car since I have bought it (and one that I became intimate with over the road trip and ownership hours) is the completely blown out suspension in the S15. The dampers have zero fluid in them, leaving the springs and 25-year-old bushings to try and absorb all the road feel. Honestly, I opt to drive any other car when I need to go out because of how god awful and straight up dangerous it feels to drive this thing. It rattles, bounces indefinitely, and can't keep straight due to it's lack of shock absorption. So, just like the AE86, coilovers became a priority.

I decided to only get the best of the best for this car: HKS coilovers. I've always wanted a set, but never had a car that they offered suspension for.. Until now. The USA prices for these are pretty absurd, but some US dealers of them actually matched the Japan price (including that favorable exchange rate). I went through Evasive Motorsports, fantastic customer service and speedy turnaround time. Definitely recommend.

Hovercraft Mode, engaged.


Yeah, the old ones were beyond blown out. Excuse the garage, still moving in and it's pretty low on my priorities. Also, previous owner at some point equipped it with RS*R lowering springs. No wonder the ride was so bouncy!

Can you tell which ones are the new ones?
The install was a pain in the ass; it wouldn't have been, but the previous owner installed speaker pods in the rear which required a lot of workarounds. Fronts took like five minutes, though.

Once done, torque'd it all down, and set the car on the ground. I did not adjust the height at all, just used the factory preset height recommended by HKS.

To say the problem is fixed is an understatement. The car feels brand new. Listen, the bushings still need work, but you would never be able to tell. This car feels incredible. I've never, ever had coilovers that feel like this. It is comfy, it is stiff, it is sharp; coilovers tend to lean real hard into the stiffer, racier feel, which is fine and all but it gets real annoying. This is luxury, while retaining all the pros of having suspension like this. I love driving this car. It finally drives as good as it looks.

Speaking of looks, it was time to get serious about wheels. I might've mentioned before, but wheel sizes on these cars get real finnicky. There is not a lot of clearance. The info out there really is all over the place, so it's hard to get a solid answer, and a lot of car guys gatekeep their specs. But once S15 I had seen online, and liked quite a lot, was youtuber Jimmy Oake's S15. I don't care much for his content but the guy has some decent cars.

Jimmy Oake's S15 Spec R on bronze TE37:

But a guy of that size, would he respond? I shot a DM. Within like a minute:

Shoutout to him, man. The gesture means a lot to me. Coincidentally, that same night, I might have found exactly what I was looking for. If anything, beyond my expectations.

A week and a half later, my impulse purchase arrived!

Authentic.. OG TE37's, in 18x9.5+22. I know, on my previous post about wheels, I mentioned how expensive OG's can be. But late night Yahoo Japan Auctions really came in clutch. All I will say is I got these for an absolute steal. I cannot believe it.

They were resprayed white at some point, but were originally bronze. The white with blue stickers, my bud and I have always called "Dolphin Spec." Anyways, I saw someone with a similar situation on their TE's use paint stripper and the bronze was just fine underneath (due to the fact that the bronze is like.. powdercoat or something, probably). So, I'll run the white with some new tires, and when the tires need to be replaced, I'll get the bronze out. Two looks, for the cost of one set of wheels! Also need to get some replacement stickers, for sure.

I will probably wait awhile before mounting these, since I just got new tires on the current wheels when I took my road trip, and since they are 17's, I can't transfer em onto these. That's fine, I need to save money, so forcing myself into standby on these will be a net positive.

So, there's the update. It might look the same, but trust me, it is a whole new machine. I am so happy with it.

I also have another pile of parts coming in, but that will be a story for the next post. Mostly just preventative maintenance, some extra handling goodies, and more grail parts. Stuff that I ordered months ago that is just arriving. Once all those are on, and a few things that are set to arrive next Spring, I think the car will be nearing it's completion, at least for this stage!
_____
Thank you for reading!

 

[Lesdeux]

Fuck dude you got some tight shit going on in this update. Those coilovers look immaculate, and I can't wait to see them OGs on there. The white is gonna bang for sure, but I really wanna see the bronze. In my head it feels like it's gonna be a killer gradient from the silver of the body to the bronze.

You're livin' my dream right now! I've been wanting an S15 ever since I'd go over to a friend's house back in 08 to play NFS: ProStreet. Many hours wasted in those drift events when I was a kid

 

[KeplerElectronics]

Awesome seeing the S15 get back to a drivable state, and it's always fun reading these posts ^_^

 

[brawler]

Fuck dude you got some tight shit going on in this update. Those coilovers look immaculate, and I can't wait to see them OGs on there. The white is gonna bang for sure, but I really wanna see the bronze. In my head it feels like it's gonna be a killer gradient from the silver of the body to the bronze.

You're livin' my dream right now! I've been wanting an S15 ever since I'd go over to a friend's house back in 08 to play NFS: ProStreet. Many hours wasted in those drift events when I was a kid

The future is bright either way!

Coincidentally, NFS Pro Street was the same game that made me obsessed with the S15 as well! I always liked em ever since I saw the HKS one from D1GP USA 2005, but it didn't click for me until I had one in Pro Street!

 

[brawler]

Awesome seeing the S15 get back to a drivable state, and it's always fun reading these posts ^_^

it's just as fun to make em! :D