unfortunatly i live and work in Baltimore City...im researching rims for my box, but with all the road work/potholes/debris, i need something that holds up WELL. Is there and certain style/finish/brand that seems to hold up better in extreme conditions? Im just concerned about dropping serious money just to screw them up with nicks and dings a week later.....

 

you'll need to find a comprimise between tire size, looks and wheel size. example: if you run 18's, there are only low profile tires for this size, which means less cushioning for the actual rim itself, but you have many high quality brands and styles, to choose from. whereas if you buy 15's you can buy high profile sidewall tires=more cushion, but not as many high quality constructed wheels. there are alot of different styles for the 15 "market just not as many 2piece/3piece/forged ones. also for the majority of 15's you are limited to honda offsets and limited width.

 

im thinking 16s or 17s max...i dont want to large, the rides rough enough along all the crappy streets with bumps and potholes....

 

Oh, I remember those Baltimore potholes. I ruined a few rims in my years there. I got my 15" Enkei wheels at Discount Tire. I spend 460.oo with factory tires mounted on them. I'll upgrade when they wear out. Just make sure you think about weight on the box because it really makes a difference. There are several Konigs, Rota's Enkei and others that look great in 15 or 16" Check out the lowered on 15's thread. Mine is in there. Go O's

 

stock steelies ....well I have bent many Konig's in my time

 

Uh-huh. Stock steelies are more resistant to failure from impact than ANY of the larger diameter alloy wheels - and in many cases actually lighter in weight. :D

(When I was into SERIOUS off-roading we would use nothing but steel wheels. Impacts that would destroy most pretty alloy wheels would at most bend and distort good steel wheels. With the steel wheels we could get home again...)

 

im thinkin maybe ill have to keep the fugly steelies, but maybe throw some moons on there.....damn potholes....oh how i long for the smooth streets of the suburbs....

 

That's what I did, Blaine. Check my profile for the 'moon like' stainless steel wheelcovers I put on my xB. They also cost a LOT less than most other options ($55/set, mailorder, Big B Auto).

 

I kept mine at 15", got some Enkei spokes and get a smooth ride. My son-in-law went the same way as Tomas, he's got the stocks with full moons and they look pretty cool and slick.

 

So, yesterday I did the low profile tire switch but I won't ever give up the steel wheels.

Roads here do not often have potholes (no winter freezes) But there are pavement curbs. Rather bend than bust a rim if I should slip into a curb.

60 series tires are the way to go for practical driving all around the country.