Hey all,

What are your thoughts and opinions in regards to a wheel's "lips" or "dish" on cars in general? Doesn't matter on an FD, Escalade, 240SX or 350Z. For instance, I have a set of brand new 18" Volk GTS with offset size of +40 (front) and +43 (rears) and the lip is 2.25" and 2.50" respectively. I admit, I had thought the lip would be larger before I received the order. Granted, FDs with stock fenders can't really get a deep dish but I would like to get at least a 3"-4" which I've seen plenty FD's with this size and larger.

Currently, I'm actually looking at Work Meister S1 3PC since these have NICE lips with stock fenders (I know, I know, these wheels are very popular/dime-a-dozen but they are nice!). Well, what do you think? I would like to be happy with a purchase rather than "live-with-it"...afterall, I'm plunking down a lot of money for a nice set of shoes. I figure since the car is currently down and almost complete replacing old coolant hosese, rats nest and ceramic-coating, I can do all this in one shot...reliability and looks. I will sell these current wheels and tires if I decide to do so.

So my question is, even though I just picked up a set of Volk GTS wheels still new with about 10 miles into them...should I sell them and get a larger lip size? Or are lips overated? I know certain wheels produce certain lip sizes.

Pics of my wheels:

 

I think they look great as-is

What size tires are you running, and how wide are the rims?

 

^ Hey!

Volk GTS Wheels: 18x9 (fronts) / 18x10 (rears)
Pirelli PZero M+S Tires: 235/40/18 (fronts) / 265/35/18 (rears)

 

The more lip you have the narrower the car looks IMO.

 

Cool, thanks for the info. Reason I ask, I recently picked up a set of Fikse Profil 5s in the same sizes, +38 and +44. Why didn't you go a bit wider? I'm looking at 245s and 285s, hoping for no rubbing on the fender.

 

the Vertex FD runs 18x9 +24 18x10+24 225/40/18 255/35/18. just with rolled fenders. saw it in one of the hyper REV mags. it looks good tho.

 

According to Mackin Industries when consulted, the offset and width I ordered mine is what they recommended and it was also recommended by Volk/Rays. Of course, that probably doesn't include fender rolling, which is an option too if need-be to accommodate larger setup. If I do decide to get different wheels, I will try 245 and 275 or 285 tires.

BTW, nice new wheels you picked up!

 

Right now I'm running a 17x10 FM5 classic rear, +45, with a 275 rear with no problems, so you if there was a 275/35 offered you could have gotten away with it.

 

If you're trying to get more lip for the sake of looks, then I'd question why you would want to...

The problem with more (big) lip designs is that they compromise wheel strength.
If you live in an area with less-than-hospitable roads, then I'd question getting wheel with big lip.
The exception is the "stepped" lip design, which the Work Meister S1's do have.
The stepped design makes the outer shell a lot stronger.

The problem with the FD is that you start with a very high offset wheel as stock, so trying to get lip (especially in the fronts) can sometimes be hard.
Add BBK's, which decrease clearance, that force you to run "hi disc" wheels, then you lose more lip.

Which brings up the (what I call) the "psuedo" lip wheel design...
"Monobloc" designs have relatively flat center faces, and this makes it hard to get big lips on them, especially with high offsets.
Wheel designed can push the wheel face outwards (which gives you more clearance) and run the outside ends of the spokes inward, which gives the illusion of a deep lip.
I call that cheating.


-Ted

 

cant go wrong with lips, lips give a great classic look.. some dished rims are just trendy, and give a few years down the line they will look crappy

 

FD can look great w/ lips, but has to be done right,

CONCAVE tE37's will never be out of style, and they have no lips.

 

One last bump as I would like to hear some more opinions not just on my wheels (I would appreciate your feedback though) but lips in general. Is it a trend? Based on the poll, looks like votes say to either get a larger lip or do lesser of a lip. So consensus says in lips in generall...if you do a lip, REALLY get some lip...or do none.

 

Car looks good, either way it's up to your preference...

 

^^
Your car and wheel combination looks great!

 

dish..

 

I love a deep/large lip look as much as the next person. The caveat being that I don't think it's a good idea to compromise performance aspects of the car, like putting tiny tires on a wide wheel, or running outlandishly-low offsets that drastically change the scrub geometry, or a fragile wheel design, in order to get it.

To the OP, I think your wheels look great. I'd say don't overthink it, but I went through six sets of wheels to get the two I'm happy with now (street & track), so I won't be a hypocrite.

 

Oh man, Borbet Type TD.......too bad they're long discontinued.

 

agreed... although performance on the street is an oxymoron imho...
those borbets are for the street.. these will be for the track.. soon to have r compounds on em..
these have a two step lip on em..

 

it depends on the type of rims.. those borbets posted above look really outdated now

 

Thanks for everyone's input. I've decided I'm going to go for going a larger of a lip (AMP's size would be perfect but I i would prefer fronts half lip size of the rears). I think I'm going to go with the super popular Work Meister S1 3pc as I've seen these on few FDs in the forum and the lip size is great but not insane. Here are a couple pics of them on FDs. I would like to keep same color scheme as now with black and polished lip: https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-center-69/work-meister-s1-vs-xx-gold-541541/

I'll soon list my VOLK GTS wheels in the classifieds with all the accessories and original boxes/packaging...so someone will be getting a fresh set of shoes in excellent shape with hardly 10 miles...technically brand new! Keep an eye out for me if you know anyone interested!

 

 

what are the specs on your rims and tires?

tks

 

i dont understand this "dish" or "lip" idea. i prefere the proper name, NEGATIVE OFFSET. thats what a "deep dish" wheel should be, although expensive as hell, i think you FD guys can afford it.
now, who is it around here that got some 335 on 18x12?

peace

 

I think your wheels look awesome but I would say a little more lip in the rear like 1/2", give or take, would be sufficient to me. I don't want a lot as what most people are saying about sacrificing the performance but the staggered set up can also bring out a unique styling stance if done right.

I don't like the "deep" dish look.

KL

 

You have a nice size lip as is man.. but I cant stand it when the lip look plain or just straight lip.. sorry don't know how to explain but heres some pics of some large lips that look good.