Well for those of you that care, most of you likely don't?

As I like to put it, I de-pimped my Honda a bit. I swapped out my RacingHart M5's 18x7.5 (+42mm) 4-114.3/4-100 for a set of 17x7 (+46mm) 4-114.3 BBS-RK rims (Germans in da house), and some Potenza RE050A-pole position tires (225/45/17).

I was getting tired of the harsh ride and what not. I particularly like the fact that the BBS rims are 17.5 lbs. each vs. 26.5 lbs of the RacingHart M5's. That's some 36 lbs. of un-sprung weight loss diet. Plus the mass of the RK's is nearer the hub where you won't notice it nearly as much.

Needless to say the car is way more nimble now, it's like a gain of 25hp in acceleration, and I got a brake upgrade too boot. Moving from +42mm to +46mm offset has put my steering feel back on center, kudos!

And something I didn't expect was clutch engagement really improved, likely back to OE goodness. The car is so much easier to drive in traffic now. No bog at all off the line just quick pull aways, and buttery smooth 1-2; 2-3 shifts.

I'm sure many of you will think that dumping looks for performance in an Accord is an odd thing, but the car is so much easier to drive now, this chassis really seems happier on 17" rims. The entire package rounded out with Eibach springs, Koni's shocks, and other odds and ends really handles a lot like our TSX now.

The 18's sure had a better looking stance, but I'm all smiles behind the steering wheel now, and I think that counts a lot more then looks in my book. Plus these Potenza's stick out about 1/16-1/4" past my rim lip, no more curb rash for me ever, what a nice plus. Not that I park on the street, and with the added side wall, I'm a little less paranoid about pot holes now.

With work and travel last year I got all of 1500 mi's on the odo, perhaps the new rims will help me double that this year :P

 

still looks good

 

Thanks, a bunch of my buds have been a bit let down in the rim change.

But the handling has improved so much now, it's hard to argue. I had the RacingHarts on the Car since June '01, so I think I got my use from them.

If I can get 5 more years from the BBS RK's on the Accord we'll have something then. Manly a really nice looking 11.5 year old Accord.

I went with the BBS's based solely on rims specs for the 225-45-17 tire I wanted to run. It's kind of a form follows function wheel package for me. I'm glad the rim came in silver and not hot-pink or something. !!!

 

looks good, I've always been partial to 17s as per your main reasons. ride comfort, and performance.

 

it'd look better if it was slammed to the ground

 

It's already dropped 1.5"!, start pushing it too far and I won't have any real suspension travel left and that would kind of defeat the point in having performance "street" setup don't you think?

If you ever get a chance to see the car in person the pictures don't do it justice. It looks like an OE setup, which for me is kind of the idea I was going for. Kind of an Accord type-S or A-spec kit.

I won't rule out some sportline's, but for once I don't ever catch my nose living here in Chicago-land. I really-really like not worrying about potholes or curbs/driveways.

 

I recently upgraded from 16" rims with 205/55/16 rubbers with something like a 38 offset to 225/40/18 with a 45 offset and the ride quality is about the same surprisingly. I expected a much harsher ride so I don't know if it's because of the change of offset or just better tires. I'm using Toyo Proxes now instead of BFG KDWS on the 16's. One thing is for sure, the steering is much more sensitive (lighter) than before, almost too light for my taste but the wheels do look better because they're tucked into the wheel wells more. Any ideas why the ride harshness stayed the same?

 

yea i know

im planning on changing out all the bushings with a ES polyurethane or a plygraphite one and maybe goto a full coilover system and drop mine to 2.75-3.0".

 

hot damn.

This is exactly what happens when you choose tasteful mods over the years, your car never looks bad ... your car never looks old.

 

it still looks pretty clean though. id maybe drop it another inch in it would look super nice. i like the lip kit and how it looks so good with the oe spoiler.