Wheel decision
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
Wheel decision
I have a black 97 coupe with original "wagon" wheels. I'd like to buy a set of chrome wheels, but I'm unsure what style would look the best. I'm currently considering the older C5 wheels (wagon), the newer C5 wheels (thinner spoke), Z06, and C6. I don't think I'm ready to spend money on higher cost wheels like the HRE.
If anyone has any suggestions or better yet, photos of a black or dark C5 with chrome wheels, that would be great. After 5 years of ownership, I'm ready to upgrade!
If anyone has any suggestions or better yet, photos of a black or dark C5 with chrome wheels, that would be great. After 5 years of ownership, I'm ready to upgrade!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,369
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From: Cranford, New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by bernardomd
I have a black 97 coupe with original "wagon" wheels. I'd like to buy a set of chrome wheels, but I'm unsure what style would look the best. I'm currently considering the older C5 wheels (wagon), the newer C5 wheels (thinner spoke), Z06, and C6. I don't think I'm ready to spend money on higher cost wheels like the HRE.
If anyone has any suggestions or better yet, photos of a black or dark C5 with chrome wheels, that would be great. After 5 years of ownership, I'm ready to upgrade!
If anyone has any suggestions or better yet, photos of a black or dark C5 with chrome wheels, that would be great. After 5 years of ownership, I'm ready to upgrade!
I really like the look of the C6 wheel on a C5, a few guys here have them on their cars, im sure they will post some pics
Racer
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From: Chicago Il
Race Director
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From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
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Got these from Corvettes of Houston for less than $800 w/lugs caps and locks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by army2000
get the polished GM ZO6 wheels made by speedline...$950 from AAA wheels. You won't regreat it. Chrome is great until it starts to peal or chip...then you're pissed
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My recommendations in order of preference:
Z07
C6
Z06
Either would look good on the car.
Z07
C6
Z06
Either would look good on the car.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 221
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From: Michigan
What ever you get, make sure you get the Z06 sizing so you can run big rubber. Here are chrome 5 spoke repros in Z06 sizing with Nitto R2's
Fronts, 17x9.5 wheel with 54mm offset, 275 Nitto R2
Rears, 16x10.5 wheel with 58mm offset, 305 Nitto R2
There are three or four forum vendors that have these, just make sure and ask what the weights are, if there are 4 IN STOCK, whether or not caps are included, and finally what the chrome warranty is.
Lastly, I got a set of four tire pressure sensors from Fred Beans for $238 delivered.
Fronts, 17x9.5 wheel with 54mm offset, 275 Nitto R2
Rears, 16x10.5 wheel with 58mm offset, 305 Nitto R2
There are three or four forum vendors that have these, just make sure and ask what the weights are, if there are 4 IN STOCK, whether or not caps are included, and finally what the chrome warranty is.
Lastly, I got a set of four tire pressure sensors from Fred Beans for $238 delivered.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
I thought the stock wheel size for my car is
17x8.5 front
18x9.5 rear
You said you would buy
Fronts, 17x9.5 wheel with 54mm offset, 275 Nitto R2
Rears, 16x10.5 wheel with 58mm offset, 305 Nitto R2
was this just a typo?
Thanks to everyone so far.
17x8.5 front
18x9.5 rear
You said you would buy
Fronts, 17x9.5 wheel with 54mm offset, 275 Nitto R2
Rears, 16x10.5 wheel with 58mm offset, 305 Nitto R2
was this just a typo?
Thanks to everyone so far.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Originally Posted by bernardomd
I have a black 97 coupe with original "wagon" wheels. I'd like to buy a set of chrome wheels, but I'm unsure what style would look the best.....
most C5 guys that want shinny wheels go with the polished alum/clearcoated 00-04 thin spokes........add some polished stainless exh tips and your 97 will look like a 04 (to 99.9% of the people out there).
ps: if you want some Stainless tips let me know, i have a factory set that i need to sell
Melting Slicks
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From: Buckeye Country OH
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
I was in your position, from my pics you can see what i chose.... just what I like(complete set 02 oem with 98 sensors i put in ) And Im putting on a complete magnaflow to get the exhaust lookin ok. But what you like is the ???? Good luck 
Safety Car
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From: SIOUX FALLS SD
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Dont go with the wagon wheels or any factory wheel. Go with the z06 chrome wheels or the z06 motorsports. The c6 wheels look great too in chrome. I just dont think you will be happy with the chrome plated wagons or the thin spokes because that is still the wheel that looks stock and why spend the money since you have stock wheels on now anyway?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,338
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From: Whittier California
As most have said, "It's a personal preference." I have a 98 Torch Red with Chrome Wagons and I think they look great. I am probably in the minority on this Forum. If I ever change them for something else I will get the Chrome Ronals. I like Bling. Not enough Bling with thin spokes for me. JMHO.
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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I have a 98 and I really like my chrome wagons! Personally - I'm not convinced the "aftermarket" chrome reproductions of the thin spokes or the Z06 wheels are made that well - seems I've read some stuff right here on the Forum about defective chrome, broken spokes - etc.
If you want to update the look, there are choices like a set of take off O.E.M. wheels or one of the high quality suppliers that maufacture wheels like Ronal, etc.
With stuff like this you get what you pay for. The chrome wagons add a lot bling for not much chaching$$!
If you want to update the look, there are choices like a set of take off O.E.M. wheels or one of the high quality suppliers that maufacture wheels like Ronal, etc.
With stuff like this you get what you pay for. The chrome wagons add a lot bling for not much chaching$$!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,303
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From: yardley, pa 19067
I bought the factory polished wheels for the 00-04 to put on my 99..To me they're the best looking wheels to replace the ugly wagon wheels. I still have alot of rubber left on my tires so to me that was the best way to go. I paid close to $1700 for them from gmparstdirect.com