New wheels for my Focus - Page 2

TitaniumLT · 10-03-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

I have a little black caliper paint at home to use as undercoat, just need to find some hard wearing ultra glossy black and clear coat.

Hi Guys,
I just got a Focus as well, Titanium Grey as well in fact, and was wanting to do a few things to make it stand out a bit. I really like the stock zetec 17" rims so was going to keep them.

I was thinking of adding some colour to the calipers and you guys mentioned that you can just paint them - is there any special sort of paint you need or is it better to buy some aftermarket calipers in the colour you want?

Also, some other forums mention upgrading to a cold air intake - what are the advantages of doing it and is it a big job to do yourself?

Thanks

DZFord · 11-03-2010, 01:09 PM

Hi, welcome to the forums and congratulations on your new purchase.

If you are going to do some modifications, using the search tool can bring up lots of good information.

HERE is some info on painting the calipers.

As for the intake you have two options:
K&N make a 57i pod filter setup, which may give slightly more power, but suffers from lack of heat shielding. It does give an excellent induction roar.

Alternatively, K&N (and some other brands) made a replacement drop-in panel filter. This will also allow for increase airflow, however, it retains the original airbox setup.

With either option, do a search on lower airbox / intake resonator removal, which will also allow you to route cold air feeds up to your new panel filter / pod filter.

TitaniumLT · 11-03-2010, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the info DZFford. cant wait to start playing around and changing a few things. looks like this forum could be a handy resource

YUSLOW · 12-03-2010, 12:44 PM

Cant say I'm a fan of the wheels but do like the Focus sedans in Titanium or Sea Grey.
Would love to see one fitted with Falcon Ego colour XR5 wheels.

paul&amanda · 24-03-2010, 12:45 PM

I had 18's fitted when i got the car new in 06. They look great but the ride is a bit hard at times on our quality NSW roads.

XR5-Boy · 24-03-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul&amanda

I had 18's fitted when i got the car new in 06. They look great but the ride is a bit hard at times on our quality NSW roads.

That's the first time i've heard someone from NSW confirm my findings while i was up there! :P

Tj-zetec · 24-03-2010, 02:06 PM

What's that? That our roads are rubbish. Pfft, don't have to try too hard to get some one to tell you that.

I ran 18's on my LR originaly with 35 profile tyres and while the ride was fine, when I did find a pothole it would damage the rim. There just wasn't enough sidewall.

I went to 40's (incidentally the exact same tyre size as the XR5) and never damaged a rim again after that.
I've even collected a few swimming pool sized holes in the 5 and luckily haven't damaged one yet!

I've had the car 15 months and I haven't even got any gutter rash yet!

:

casabonka · 24-03-2010, 02:38 PM

Yeah Im running 40's on my 18's also, and seems to be a decent ride with no issues with craters yet!

sumpPUMP · 24-03-2010, 03:50 PM

Im goin to get some 18inch and 40 profiled tyres soon hopefully too, but i have super lows, anyone with this combo to comment on ride quality? i no it wont be good, but just wondering how bad...

sailaway · 26-03-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

Offset = 48
Rims = 17 x 7
Tyres = 215/45/17 Yokohama A Drive R1's (at a VERY good price)

Thanks for that info!

Yours do look good.

Tj-zetec · 26-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumpPUMP

Im goin to get some 18inch and 40 profiled tyres soon hopefully too, but i have super lows, anyone with this combo to comment on ride quality? i no it wont be good, but just wondering how bad...

The 225/40/r18's used to scrub a little in my LR and that was standard zetec ride height! But the XR5 which is lower doesn't scrub so I'd guess that the MKII foci models are a little more accomodating.

Can't comment on ride quality though.

sumpPUMP · 26-03-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tj-zetec

The 225/40/r18's used to scrub a little in my LR and that was standard zetec ride height! But the XR5 which is lower doesn't scrub so I'd guess that the MKII foci models are a little more accomodating.

Can't comment on ride quality though.

oh k no worries, cheers.

im positive it'll rub whilst turning sharply as it does now, but the extent is unknown. i cant wait to get them... might be a while now tho as of other financial commitments.. :(

mrbaxr6t · 03-04-2010, 02:27 PM

had to comment firstly that is one awesome looking focus sedan thumbs up to the owner great work!

secondly I heard mention of those "rim protectors" molded into the sidewalls yes these are a great Idea in theory but are far from impervious as my wife found out when she sidestepped the XR6 on gravel and slammed the rear into gutter it did substantial and irreparable damage to the rim and ripped the rubber bulge in sidewall of tyre to hell in the process - result new rim and new tyre (tyre that got wrecked only had about 1500kms on it) I hate to say it but had the tyre not had the bulge in it it would have flexed and been but scuffed not ripped up like it has been (it has remained inflated BTW) car is awaiting my delivery of a caster camber kit then its getting a new rear foot and four new boots those tyres can be a blessing or a curse depends on what you do and how you do it

XR5-Boy · 03-04-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tj-zetec

The 225/40/r18's used to scrub a little in my LR and that was standard zetec ride height! But the XR5 which is lower doesn't scrub so I'd guess that the MKII foci models are a little more accomodating.

Can't comment on ride quality though.

XR5's don't rub because the turning circle is larger (11.7m vs 10.7m on a normal focus). Ford restricted the turning circle because of the larger rims we run. Standards focus' will rub as the wheels are allowed to turn more.

Tj-zetec · 04-04-2010, 08:57 AM

Is that why they did that? lazy buggers.

Do you know how bad that turning circle makes me look in carparks!

XR5-Boy · 04-04-2010, 11:48 AM

I'm still struggling to reverse park haha. I never get the angle right! I could nail it in one go with the Cougar. Now i take an extra adjustment haha!

#Russ#Es# · 12-04-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbaxr6t

had to comment firstly that is one awesome looking focus sedan thumbs up to the owner great work!

secondly I heard mention of those "rim protectors" molded into the sidewalls yes these are a great Idea in theory but are far from impervious as my wife found out when she sidestepped the XR6 on gravel and slammed the rear into gutter it did substantial and irreparable damage to the rim and ripped the rubber bulge in sidewall of tyre to hell in the process - result new rim and new tyre (tyre that got wrecked only had about 1500kms on it) I hate to say it but had the tyre not had the bulge in it it would have flexed and been but scuffed not ripped up like it has been (it has remained inflated BTW) car is awaiting my delivery of a caster camber kit then its getting a new rear foot and four new boots those tyres can be a blessing or a curse depends on what you do and how you do it

I need to read my own threads more often! Thanks for the compliment. Still have to work to do on her yet though (although less obvious mods).

paul&amanda - the 18's look great, also nice to see another Silver LS, as common as they were when the LS first came out, they were mostly CL hatchbacks.

T.M · 10-10-2012, 03:48 PM

Well I'm aware I'm unearthing a pretty old thread here but thought I'd throw my 2 cents in anyway. Ive got an '08 tdci in titanium grey and have been looking for wheels for a while but it seems you may have saved me the trouble Russ.
Those wheels do look fantastic on that colour, and they're 'only' 17s.
I always though my stock 16s looked really small and therefore assumed I would need 18s for it to look any good.
Cheers

casabonka · 10-10-2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.M

Well I'm aware I'm unearthing a pretty old thread here but thought I'd throw my 2 cents in anyway. Ive got an '08 tdci in titanium grey and have been looking for wheels for a while but it seems you may have saved me the trouble Russ.
Those wheels do look fantastic on that colour, and they're 'only' 17s.
I always though my stock 16s looked really small and therefore assumed I would need 18s for it to look any good.
Cheers

Whilst I love the look of my 18s, for comfort I should've stuck with 17s!