Help me spend my money?

[SergntMac]

I'm considering a wheel change, and I would like y'all to offer your opinion.

No flames, please? I love the OEM Marauder wheel very much. They carry great impact with the public at large, and are probably the first thing passers-by notice, and comment on. The OEM wheels are very dear to me personally, as one of two most impressive features of the Marauder that seduced me to become an owner 3 years ago. I love the whole car, but I'm a "leg man" and the OEM wheels and Meg's tips slapped me around at first glance. I knew I would be back, so, did the car.

I imagine it's like this for bystanders as I cruise up and down 111th Street, a cold hard slap in the face, followed by a "oh poor baby, come here honey let me kiss it away" visual lust. I love the OEM wheels so much, I've spent a sinful amount of my budget in perfecting and protecting the OEM design. So much, my "pay of your mortgage early, stupid" plans have been disrupted, for the time being.

Nonetheless, 18x8 OEM wheels, and our shared 18x9.5 aftermarket choice have their limitations in hosting tires in the sizes I want to buy. I cannot get the tires with the road adhesion factors I want for an automobile this heavy, in sizes that will fit our MM wheels, including MM wheels with "plus" resizing. So, it's time to look at aftermarket wheels, and I'm out beating the blacktop.

This selection here, is only my first of early choices. I like them enough to "bring them home to family" for an introduction to y'all. When I decide, I'll be replacing a full set of five, and I do not find these wheels overly expensive, considering what I have spent on MM wheels to date.

I find them tasteful, yet quietly strong. Powerful, without being overbearing, or, obnoxious...Yeah, yeah, okay, we're talking wheels here, not fine wine, K? Take a peek and let me know? Nothing is "carved in stone" as they say. Thanks!

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?wd=18&pc=52012&rw=10&bp=5-114.3

[fastblackmerc]

I'm considering a wheel change, and I would like y'all to offer your opinion.

No flames, please? I love the OEM Marauder wheel very much. They carry great impact with the public at large, and are probably the first thing passers-by notice, and comment on. The OEM wheels are very dear to me personally, as one of two most impressive features of the Marauder that seduced me to become an owner 3 years ago. I love the whole car, but I'm a "leg man" and the OEM wheels and Meg's tips slapped me around at first glance. I knew I would be back, so, did the car.

I imagine it's like this for bystanders as I cruise up and down 111th Street, a cold hard slap in the face, followed by a "oh poor baby, come here honey let me kiss it away" visual lust. I love the OEM wheels so much, I've spent a sinful amount of my budget in perfecting and protecting the OEM design. So much, my "pay of your mortgage early, stupid" plans have been disrupted, for the time being.

Nonetheless, 18x8 OEM wheels, and our shared 18x9.5 aftermarket choice have their limitations in hosting tires in the sizes I want to buy. I cannot get the tires with the road adhesion factors I want for an automobile this heavy, in sizes that will fit our MM wheels, including MM wheels with "plus" resizing. So, it's time to look at aftermarket wheels, and I'm out beating the blacktop.

This selection here, is only my first of early choices. I like them enough to "bring them home to family" for an introduction to y'all. When I decide, I'll be replacing a full set of five, and I do not find these wheels overly expensive, considering what I have spent on MM wheels to date.

I find them tasteful, yet quietly strong. Powerful, without being overbearing, or, obnoxious...Yeah, yeah, okay, we're talking wheels here, not fine wine, K? Take a peek and let me know? Nothing is "carved in stone" as they say. Thanks!

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?wd=18&pc=52012&rw=10&bp=5-114.3
Not bad. Do they come polished??

[torinodan]

I like those, not all blingy and they keep the same 5 spoke relationship that the OEM wheels do. IMO they should look great.

[Donny Carlson]

Mac, your stock went up ten points in my book. You're looking at buying a set of Coddies? And smoothies at that? I have been thinking along the same lines, later this year when I take off the OEMS to have them repaired and chromed.

I've seen these in the flesh, though they were polished, not painted like your example. They were gorgeous. They were on an Impala SS at a car show here about two months ago. It was like looking at sculpture. MM wheels are nice looking, but flat, especially compared to these.

FWIW, I think you should go for it. Almost makes up for the long azz posts.

Edit: the price at Discounttiredirect.com is good, but did you know you can have this wheel made to your specs? Check out this link:

http://www.newstalgiawheel.com/listproducts.asp?cat=10124

This shows the pricing structure for Smoothies, and as you can see, the price quotes is for wheels built to your specification. A bit higher cost, though.

[Captain Steve]

Those look nice, question is, will they fit?

[Zack]

Buy them now, I want your chrome wheels. :cool4:

[MM03MOK]

Click on "Comparable Wheels" for the polished look. That's what I would do!

[Petrograde]

I'm gonna get these someday! (http://www.groupawheels.com/driftr_black.html)

http://www.groupawheels.com/images/NEW-Drift-R-Black-(3_4).jpg

[jdando]

Well, you asked for feedback. The wheels do not do anything for me. Perhaps if I saw them photoshoped onto the car it would help, but to me they look to angular and pointy. To be our big car needs wheels with broader spokes/webs. They remind me of the Bullitt (?) Mustang wheels, I did not like them either.

just my two cents. jeremy

[Bradley G]

I figured you would get first dibs on dubs:D

If you change your mind, I will be next in line!
I saw those this week:eek: Waay nice!
Mac, I think it is a mistake, to go away from your OEM wheels.Aftermarket wheels don't sing Marauder, like yours do!
Bradley G

Buy them now, I want your chrome wheels. :cool4:

[rocknrod]

I LOVE the coddington Smothies. They will look AWESOME on this car.
Heck I might sell mine and do that.
Have you been to their wheel site? Threre was a black vette with these on there. WOW they are hot!
http://www.billetwheel.com/cgi/wheels.cgi?cmd=show_image&path=Cast_Series&img=2&tn=1
Not there anymore.
Anyway. These in 18 inchers will be the ****at.:beatnik:
And Newstalgia Wheels is Deffinetly the place to buy em. Same wheel, Cheaper.

[Slowpoke]

i got dibs on Zacks widened rims

[Rider90]

Mac,

For your consideration - this is what I came up with in two minutes.
http://midwestpanthers.net/macwheel.jpg

[Sully008]

SergntMac,

I went through the wheel debate when I had my CV. I originally wanted MM wheels but ended up getting these:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/wheels/mbmvr5.sm.ang.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58 08&stc=1

Then my MM came up for sale and I promptly traded in my CV. I only had the wheels for about 2 weeks and sold 'em off locally. I didn't even put them on the car. They were still brand new in the boxes.

[BillyGman]

I think they're okay, but personaly I like the factory Marauder wheels better, because they're brighter. They're pretty tough to beat as far as their looks IMO. But the Link that you provided us with lead to a webpage that listed those wheels as 18"x10". Are you considering getting them in a 10" width? And if so, are you sure that a 10" wide wheel will fit on the back? Or do you plan on getting different shocks like Marty did which would give you more clearence back there?

[SergntMac]

I think they're okay, but personaly I like the factory Marauder wheels better, because they're brighter. They're pretty tough to beat as far as their looks IMO. But the Link that you provided us with lead to a webpage that listed those wheels as 18"x10". Are you considering getting them in a 10" width? And if so, are you sure that a 10" wide wheel will fit on the back? Or do you plan on getting different shocks like Marty did which would give you more clearence back there?
Thank you all for your opinions, this wheel is just one of a few that caught my attention. Special thanks to Rider90 (Jason), you photochop was a neat contribution.

Yes, Billy, you are correct. I'm stepping up to a wider wheel which will allow me to install the tires I desire, and it's the only reason I'm considering a change. The Codds I linked to have a 40mm offset, which will have the effect of adding additional wheel width to the outside of the wheel, with the inside OEM fitment remaining the same. I am positive this will fit in the rear, but I'm not yet sure it will fit in the front, I'll be trying more fittings soon.

Thanks again, y'all.

[MarauderTJA]

I'm considering a wheel change, and I would like y'all to offer your opinion.

No flames, please? I love the OEM Marauder wheel very much. They carry great impact with the public at large, and are probably the first thing passers-by notice, and comment on. The OEM wheels are very dear to me personally, as one of two most impressive features of the Marauder that seduced me to become an owner 3 years ago. I love the whole car, but I'm a "leg man" and the OEM wheels and Meg's tips slapped me around at first glance. I knew I would be back, so, did the car.

I imagine it's like this for bystanders as I cruise up and down 111th Street, a cold hard slap in the face, followed by a "oh poor baby, come here honey let me kiss it away" visual lust. I love the OEM wheels so much, I've spent a sinful amount of my budget in perfecting and protecting the OEM design. So much, my "pay of your mortgage early, stupid" plans have been disrupted, for the time being.

Nonetheless, 18x8 OEM wheels, and our shared 18x9.5 aftermarket choice have their limitations in hosting tires in the sizes I want to buy. I cannot get the tires with the road adhesion factors I want for an automobile this heavy, in sizes that will fit our MM wheels, including MM wheels with "plus" resizing. So, it's time to look at aftermarket wheels, and I'm out beating the blacktop.

This selection here, is only my first of early choices. I like them enough to "bring them home to family" for an introduction to y'all. When I decide, I'll be replacing a full set of five, and I do not find these wheels overly expensive, considering what I have spent on MM wheels to date.

I find them tasteful, yet quietly strong. Powerful, without being overbearing, or, obnoxious...Yeah, yeah, okay, we're talking wheels here, not fine wine, K? Take a peek and let me know? Nothing is "carved in stone" as they say. Thanks!

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findWheelDetail.do?wd=18&pc=52012&rw=10&bp=5-114.3
The Kazera Wheels come in black and chrome in 18X8 for front and 18X9.5 forthe rear. I personally lean to the chrome, but the black ones are very reasonable for all four. Also located at the Tire Rack. Does anyone out there have these?

[wchain]

Look good MAc!
There was a guy in Houston that had a DTR GM and those rims in 18" Size, offset for a Mustang, polished. Looked real sharp! That would look good on your ride!

Wes

[Haggis]

I'm considering a wheel change, and I would like y'all to offer your opinion.
Sorry Mac not to my taste, I perfer the OEM rims, but I understand your desire to go with a wider wheel.

I do need to talk wheels and tires with ya sometime, for the track of course.

[Sully008]

The Kazera Wheels come in black and chrome in 18X8 for front and 18X9.5 forthe rear. I personally lean to the chrome, but the black ones are very reasonable for all four. Also located at the Tire Rack. Does anyone out there have these?

Board member 2003 MIB bought the Kazera KZ-A wheels. Here's the original thread:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16021&page=1&pp=15&highlight=kazera

[Krytin]

Polished centers as well as rims & maybe chromed - VERY nice style!

[SergntMac]

I did a little bit of experimenting last night, and confirmed that a 35mm offset will fit the Marauder just fine. The tires are moved out and away from the frame, but do not protrude from the wheel wells. I'm confident a 10" wide wheel will fit nicely, if it has a 35mm offset, and this gives us many more wheel/tire options.

I took some pics, came out okay, e-me at SergntMac@aol.com if you really need them.

[MarauderTJA]

I did a little bit of experimenting last night, and confirmed that a 35mm offset will fit the Marauder just fine. The tires are moved out and away from the frame, but do not protrude from the wheel wells. I'm confident a 10" wide wheel will fit nicely, if it has a 35mm offset, and this gives us many more wheel/tire options.

I took some pics, came out okay, e-me at SergntMac@aol.com if you really need them.
Sarge, I think in another post we discussed this, but, what I am looking to do is get a set of rear (Weld) wheels where I can mount some drag radials and swap them out with my OEM wheels at the track. Great news to hear that the 35mm offset will accomodate 10" rims. Which means we could use 315 Nitto Drag radials. Have you done any calculating what the height / OD of the tire would have to be with a 17 X 10 wheel? I have 17 X 10.5 wheels with 315 Nitto Drag radials on the rear of my Supercharged Mustang and at 16 Lbs they hook up as good as slicks. Would love to be able to get these on the Marauder and maybe lower my 4.10's to 4:30 with less than a 28 OD on our drag tires. Who cares about the ABS light at the track. Any ideas or thoughs?:help:

[SergntMac]

Sarge, Any ideas or thoughs?:help:Yeah...Everythin g you just posted, dude you stole my thunder!

LOL...Your program is a script for a supercharged MM, thanks!

[MarauderTJA]

Yeah...Everything you just posted, dude you stole my thunder!

LOL...Your program is a script for a supercharged MM, thanks!
:) :) Hey Man, no offense..Just wanting to be able to put my horsepower to the ground. IN particular, I am going to the Southern Superheavy Shootout in Georgia this November and want to show some of the SS Impala boys what a supercharged Marauder can do. Looking for 11.9's or better. :banana2: . Sarge I really do appreciate your efforts here, stealing your thunder or not:baaa:

[Brutus]

Mac, you have mail!