Anybody tried Kazera KZ-A wheels?

[Fourth Horseman]

I know the whole wheel/tire thing has been hashed out a lot lately, but I noticed that Tire Rack lists the Kazera KZ-A wheels as being compatible with the Marauder, and they come in 8.5" width for the front and 9.5" for the back. The silver finish ones look pretty sweet to me. I've been thinking of getting a second set of wheels for summer only tires and leaving my stock Marauder wheels for winter tires.

Any thoughts on these Kazera wheels?

EDIT: removed expired link

[tmac1337]

They look okay, chrome or black.

[WantOneSoBad]

I can't even see them, says something bout session expired.

[BillyGman]

I can't even see them, says something bout session expired.Yep, that's all that I get too.

[Fourth Horseman]

Yeah, they must have a time limit on that. You can see them by going to the "shop for wheels" section of the main page, put in 2003 or 2004 Mercury Marauder. The Kazeras are in the second page of wheels available.

They seem a touch on the heavy side, 26 lbs. But that's for the chrome ones.

[Marauderman]

I know the whole wheel/tire thing has been hashed out a lot lately, but I noticed that Tire Rack lists the Kazera KZ-A wheels as being compatible with the Marauder, and they come in 8.5" width for the front and 9.5" for the back. The silver finish ones look pretty sweet to me. I've been thinking of getting a second set of wheels for summer only tires and leaving my stock Marauder wheels for winter tires.

Any thoughts on these Kazera wheels?

EDIT: removed expired link
could the link be typed again--it's not shown on any post here--thanks--Tom

[wesman]

I called about those last week. I was told the 8.5 and 9.5 were +45mm offset. Pretty sharp looking!

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/kazerakzachrome1.jpg

[2003 MIB]

I like them a lot. So, I bought a set. I'll post pics after install.

[BUCKWHEAT]

I bought two of the five-spoke wide rims to mount my 305 Nitto's for drag racing. The rims look good enough on the car that all four would be cool!

John



I know the whole wheel/tire thing has been hashed out a lot lately, but I noticed that Tire Rack lists the Kazera KZ-A wheels as being compatible with the Marauder, and they come in 8.5" width for the front and 9.5" for the back. The silver finish ones look pretty sweet to me. I've been thinking of getting a second set of wheels for summer only tires and leaving my stock Marauder wheels for winter tires.

Any thoughts on these Kazera wheels?

EDIT: removed expired link

[jjaguda]

I like them a lot. So, I bought a set. I'll post pics after install.
Please do. Never really considered changing my wheels until I saw this post.

[2003 MIB]

I bought two of the five-spoke wide rims to mount my 305 Nitto's for drag racing. The rims look good enough on the car that all four would be cool!

John
Now, that's an endorsement.:banana: :banana: I'm assuming you made it home safe and sound, John- Glad you're back and on the road.

[Fourth Horseman]

I called about those last week. I was told the 8.5 and 9.5 were +45mm offset. Pretty sharp looking!

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/kazerakzachrome1.jpg

Those are the ones, thanks for posting the pic Wesman. Is 45mm offset a problem?

[tmac1337]

I bought two of the five-spoke wide rims to mount my 305 Nitto's for drag racing. The rims look good enough on the car that all four would be cool!

John

Do these mount up no problem? Are the rears wider than stock allowing for a wider tire to be put on?

[Fourth Horseman]

Do these mount up no problem? Are the rears wider than stock allowing for a wider tire to be put on?

Both front and rears are wider than stock. We're at 8" wide stock (front & rear). These are 8.5" wide up front and 9.5" wide in back. I'd love to be able to put some extra meat on the road. Gotta bust out my calculator now and figure out what size of tires I'd need to keep the same total diameter as stock, though. Don't want to have to flash my PCM for this if I don'tt have to.

[tmac1337]

Both front and rears are wider than stock. We're at 8" wide stock (front & rear). These are 8.5" wide up front and 9.5" wide in back. I'd love to be able to put some extra meat on the road. Gotta bust out my calculator now and figure out what size of tires I'd need to keep the same total diameter as stock, though. Don't want to have to flash my PCM for this if I don'tt have to.

Sounds good, let us know what kind of tires can be mounted on these. Seem like a very good aftermarket option. Tirerack tell you which of their tires can be mounted?

[wesman]

Do these mount up no problem? Are the rears wider than stock allowing for a wider tire to be put on?
The tirerack wouldn't put these on the marauder page unless they fit. They have a lot of liability issues to clear up before recommending a wheel. One time they did not want to sell me a 215/40 because my other car came with a 215/45 !!!

[maraudernkc]

They look sweeeet! Do you know what the warranty on the chrome finish is?

[Fourth Horseman]

I like them a lot. So, I bought a set. I'll post pics after install.

What size tires are you going to mount up on them, front and back?

[2003 MIB]

What size tires are you going to mount up on them, front and back?
Tire Rack recommended the stock tires (235/50 & 245/55). I picked those because of the liability issues Wes spoke about. Maybe more tire next time around. I was really looking for some visual differentation (we have several very nice Marauders in North Texas -A Trilogy with pearled paint, a VT 5.0, A show-chromed black and all the colors are routinely present at a cruise night). The UPS site says they'll be here Thursday. I'll try and get them mounted Friday afternoon and post some pics.

[Fourth Horseman]

Tire Rack recommended the stock tires (235/50 & 245/55). I picked those because of the liability issues Wes spoke about. Maybe more tire next time around. I was really looking for some visual differentation (we have several very nice Marauders in North Texas -A Trilogy with pearled paint, a VT 5.0, A show-chromed black and all the colors are routinely present at a cruise night). The UPS site says they'll be here Thursday. I'll try and get them mounted Friday afternoon and post some pics.

Looking forward to the pics before I order mine. Appreciate you beta-testing this for me. :up:

One question I do have, though: wouldn't putting the same tires on a rim that's an inch and a half wider mean that the tire spreads out a bit more and won't be so tall?

[2003 MIB]

Looking forward to the pics before I order mine. Appreciate you beta-testing this for me. :up:

No problem- if you hadn't posted, I wouldn't have seen them. Works out for everyone:banana2:

One question I do have, though: wouldn't putting the same tires on a rim that's an inch and a half wider mean that the tire spreads out a bit more and won't be so tall?
I think the answer is yes. I wouldn't mind sitting a little lower. Maybe I'll do some trick before and after shots with a static point of reference.:banana:

[WantOneSoBad]

Did you get the 8.5" or the 9.5". I'd go with the 9.5" cause of more tire is more grip and also equals more horsepower your putting to the ground.

[MENINBLK]

Did you get the 8.5" or the 9.5". I'd go with the 9.5" cause of more tire is more grip and also equals more horsepower your putting to the ground.

It also equals more rolling friction...

[Fourth Horseman]

It also equals more rolling friction...

More friction is a good thing when cornering, which is what I'm interested in.

[tmac1337]

The UPS site says they'll be here Thursday. I'll try and get them mounted Friday afternoon and post some pics.

Rims in yet? Any Pictures?

[2003 MIB]

Rims in yet? Any Pictures?
Yep and I like them. There are a couple of minor things to note:
1) the lugs that Tire Rack sends you won't work. They are shanked 1/2 X 20 and you need tapered 1/2X 20. The stock lugs won't work because you can't fit a socket around the 13/16 lug diameter. You need to use 1/2 X 20 3/4 lugs.
2) Use one of Tire Rack's recommended installers. I used Terry's Wheel & Tire in Cleburne, TX. They are a first rate shop and and I'd advise any local folks thinking about wheel/tire work to use them- it's worth the drive.
I'm not having much luck with attaching pics. Maybe they'll fit in the gallery...

[Constable]

email them to me... i'll post them. I can't wait to see these.

[Donny Carlson]

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136kazera.JPG

And they fit.

[wesman]

Darn tootin' !

[Donny Carlson]

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136kazera2.JPG

Nice, nice....

[MENINBLK]

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/1136kazera2.JPG

Nice, nice....

If I saw these before I bought my snows, I probably would have gotten these.
Put these on a Marauder and you'll have the SS guys drooling... :awe:

[2003 MIB]

I wonder if this will work...Cool...make sure you order them through the link on the MM.net homepage- support the site!:)

[merc]

Those pictures are too small for my old eyes :cool:

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Those pictures are too small for my old eyes :cool:

They're too small for me and you have 10 years on me. hehe. :D

[HwyCruiser]

I wonder if this will work...Cool...make sure you order them through the link on the MM.net homepage- support the site!:)

Yah, bigger pics please.

MIB, Do the Kazera's look like they have more clearance around the caliper area up front that the OEMs? Just trying to figure out if the Wilwoods would fit behind the spokes. Thanks.

[Constable]

Here's some bigger ones. I think they look great, but will need much wider tires. 295's or 305's in the back.... 255's or 265's in the front. Good luck with them (and GREAT FIND!!)

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K1.jpg
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K2.jpg
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K3.jpg

[Sully008]

Here's some bigger ones. I think they look great, but will need much wider tires. 295's or 305's in the back.... 255's or 265's in the front. Good luck with them (and GREAT FIND!!)

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K1.jpg
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K2.jpg
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K3.jpg

Those look really nice on the car...So...anybody selling their factory wheels? Hmm? Anybody? :D

[2003 MIB]

Yah, bigger pics please.

MIB, Do the Kazera's look like they have more clearance around the caliper area up front that the OEMs? Just trying to figure out if the Wilwoods would fit behind the spokes. Thanks.
You're reading my mind. There's lots of room and the stock brakes look very small now simply becasue you can see them better.

[2003 MIB]

Those look really nice on the car...So...anybody selling their factory wheels? Hmm? Anybody? :D

Hmmm, maybe. I thought I might keep them but the wife is usually pretty cold to the idea of spare parts around here..

[Sully008]

Hmmm, maybe. I thought I might keep them but the wife is usually pretty cold to the idea of spare parts around here..

If you do, let me know. I'd be interested in buying them. :poke: :fishing: :D

[HwyCruiser]

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K3.jpg

Sweet! It does look like there's a bunch more room there for a big brake kit.

I'm really digging the black. Anyone any good at photoshop here that can lay the black on MIB's wheels for me?

[Sully008]

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/855K3.jpg

Sweet! It does look like there's a bunch more room there for a big brake kit.

I'm really digging the black. Anyone any good at photoshop here that can lay the black on MIB's wheels for me?

One set of black rims coming up!
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56 85&stc=1

[2003 MIB]

One set of black rims coming up!
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56 85&stc=1
Hmmmm, I like that look too...somehow....evil :cool:

[studio460]

FINALLY . . . BLACK rims that FIT! Thanks, guys! It's also supercool that I'll be able to put the wider Nittos on the rear now without widening the stock rims! Reading this thread just made my week!!!

[jakdad]

Are these wheels forged aluminum or alloy? Anybody know?

:confused:

[2003 MIB]

Are these wheels forged aluminum or alloy? Anybody know?

:confused:
Alloy- 1-piece low pressure casting is heat-treated and shot-peened for superior durability and strength.

[2003 MIB]

If you do, let me know. I'd be interested in buying them. :poke: :fishing: :D
Shipping to/from Canada is a bear. I recently had a set of Jaguar headlight bezels shipped from Davidson, Saskatchewan. It was 5 weeks- Customs didn't repack the box very well and I'm not confident that they's reach you in the same condidtion I packed. I wouldn't want to "cross my fingers" when dealing with someone on this board. Now, if you just happen to be driving through Joshua, Texas- stop by and maybe we can work something out.:)

[jakdad]

Alloy- 1-piece low pressure casting is heat-treated and shot-peened for superior durability and strength.Not bad for a non- forged wheel. They look similar to Marauder wheels. I think I'll stay with the forged piece.

[2003 MIB]

Not bad for a non- forged wheel. They look similar to Marauder wheels. I think I'll stay with the forged piece.
Well, they are round and have five spokes- I suppose that's similar:) .
What I like about them is the chrome on every visible surface. I never liked cleaning the inside of the stock rims and seeing the dull finish. My goal was never superior strength to the stock rim. My goal was looking unique in the row of Marauders that show up for our cruise nights.

[wchain]

Looks awesome, but for some reason, they look like 17s......maybe someone wil try 19s? Or *GASP* twenties?

[Sully008]

Shipping to/from Canada is a bear. I recently had a set of Jaguar headlight bezels shipped from Davidson, Saskatchewan. It was 5 weeks- Customs didn't repack the box very well and I'm not confident that they's reach you in the same condidtion I packed. I wouldn't want to "cross my fingers" when dealing with someone on this board. Now, if you just happen to be driving through Joshua, Texas- stop by and maybe we can work something out.:)

Hmm...cannonball run to Joshua, Texas and back? Could be doable... :D
http://www.mapquest.com/mqproxy/4219fc37-002e8-04e88-cdbcf38d

I understand your concerns, though. I'll keep searching.

[2003 MIB]

Looks awesome, but for some reason, they look like 17s......maybe someone wil try 19s? Or *GASP* twenties?
DEAD ON!!!- I think it's the increased width creating an optical illusion or maybe it's the convex nature of the spokes but THEY DO APPEAR SMALLER!!!!!

[jakdad]

Here are some folks that make forged, shot peened wheels. Too pricey for my taste but nice wheels. I'd rather have Halibrand for that kind of money.


http://www.tbyrnemotorsports.com/trucks/truckwheels.html