VRX wheels on an ES Lancer

[mrlancealot]

I've got an ES and I'm planning on getting a set of VRX wheels.

I've got some concerns:

[*] Are VRX lancer shock/suspensions the same as standard ES shock/suspension
[*] Do I need to change my shock/suspension setup
[*] Has anyone got VRX wheels on a standard ES (without body kit), can I see pics
[*] Do VRX wheels look OK on an ES or do I have to do the body kit upgrade?

The best case scenario for me is that the VRX wheels would "just work".

ie. I don't have to do any shock/suspension updates and that it doesn't look out of place on a non-body kit Lancer.

[lancerdarryl]

They bolt straight up. VRXs have a very slightly stiffer spring rate and a stiffer shock absorber. So you can just bolt on the wheels and go.

[mrlancealot]

Thanks mate. So ideally, I should upgrade the shock/suspension but It should work OK straight up.

Have you seen an ES with VRX wheels? Do they look out of place without at least the side skirts?

[lancerdarryl]

I’ve seen a couple of Lancers without the body kits and VRX wheels and they look fine. It really isn’t necessary to upgrade your suspension but that’s up to you:)

[Mystique]

I have an LX (which is a model up from the ES) I haven't had any issues with mine. I did swap out for a different set of wheels for a while, but went back to them because they're a lot nicer looking then some after market wheels, they also look amazing when you lower it as well

For example:

[bumblebee]

One downside to shoving the VRX wheels under the car is the tyres are a bit more expensive then stock 16s
also be careful with low profile tyres your don't go round corners to fast or it will be an interesting experience
And be aware you can also make the ride feel more harsh then using stock 16s
However if you try them and you don't like them there is always Gumtree

[dopey]

I wondered the same thing a while ago and found this pic on carsales

[Quismiff]

I think one of the things car manufacturers get wrong is they try and move base model stock by sticking whiz bang bits on it, so you can buy an ES off the lot that looks a lot like the more expensive aspire, I have seen so many of these cars with VR-X kits on 16" wheels...

Kinda takes the desire/want/need to buy the sporty/luxury models out of it...

there is an ES around Lynbrook that is full EVO... Just needs the bonnet. But that one I understand was owner preference.

[mrlancealot]

Thanks for the input guys.

@Mystique Thanks for confirming about suspension/ride. That's one less thing to worry about then.

@dopey Thanks for that pic. That's what I was looking for. So while it doesn't make it look worse, it doesn't add anything to the car.

I think I need some side skirts (at least) to go with the wheels.

@bumblebee Thanks for raising the point about the cost. I was aware of it but I was planning to trade some cost for a bit of exhilaration in my life

Also, I was going to offset this cost (slightly) by using Kumhos/Falcens instead of Bridgestone/Good Year etc

@Quismiff

you can buy an ES off the lot that looks a lot like the more expensive aspire

Why would you? Wouldn't an Aspire cost less than an ES with all the bells and whistles?

[Quismiff]

The Aspire was quite a high trim level, leather seats etc, and a 2.4l engine, the ES came with the 2.0l donk and steel wheels with hub caps.

There were so many trim levels for the lancer in the end it was confusing, and now they have the three as they run out, ES, GSR, and LS.

It started as ES, VR, VR-X, then RA, and EVO X, then added LX, Aspire, LS, Platinum, Activ, RX, SX. in no particular order, and I may have missed a couple.

No doubt some will be people wanting their car to look personal, and they're allowed to do that, and some of it will be dealer deals of cheap accessories.

Anyway, this is about as far off topic as we can get, and just a quite rant I usually have about car manufacturers, and dealers. The 18s aren't too bad, can be a little harsh over bumps, but I have the VR-X with the different shocks, if you have softer struts in the ES it may mitigate the cons there. Also getting a different sized tyre like the 225/40R18 can reduce the cost a bit as it is more common than the 215/45R18 that is standard fitment.

225/40R18 RE003 $223ea ex Tyre Sales
215/45R18 RE003 $295ea ex Tyre Sales

[ReeceCozaa]

Driving the ES and owning a GSR the wheels defs to abosorb more bumpiness, but nothing I thought was really much of a noticeable difference, would slap the Vrx wheels right on, if you want some scuffed 2016 GSR wheels I’m selling them off xD

[mrlancealot]

@Quismiff
Based on my understanding about those tyre dimensions, I'm assuming the 225/40R18 is a more lower profile tyre than the 215/45R18.

I'm looking for some middle ground with these new wheels. More fun but not too firm. So I might have too fork out a bit more for a bit more comfort.

225/40R18 RE003 $223ea ex Tyre Sales
215/45R18 RE003 $295ea ex Tyre Sales

[mrlancealot]

@ReeceCozaa Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately, I'm pretty set on the VRX wheels. I think they complement the Lancer so well.

I'd be interested in anyone else getting rid of (sell) their VRX wheels though

[ReeceCozaa]

Not a problem bro! They do suit it very well!

[Quismiff]

40 is the sidewall as a percentage of the width of the tyre, so 40% of 225 is a 90mm side wall, 45% of 215 is 97mm side wall
more here. You could go upto a 225/45 for a 101mm sidewall.

Somewhere on this forum is a link to a calculator that will tell you how far out it will throw your speedo too.