Steve, I am considering a set of these Manaray wheels from Taka Kaira in Japan:
Here's the deal: I will be running a different set of 17" wheels with proper offsets for road racing. However, I am needing a set of "street pimpin'" rollers for daily use. These Manarays are cheap, good-looking, and one-piece design. I want an offset that fills the wheelwells and gives me a flush-fit profile. I currently run Eibach Pro-Kit springs. If there are any clearance issues, my bodyman can trim the fender lips. I will currently be running these tire sizes:
P235/40ZR18 front, P275/35ZR18 rear
The Manarays are available in these fitments:
18X8.5 front, +35 or +45mm offset
18X9.5 rear, +35 or +45mm offset
I know I should obviously run the +45mm rear offset, but what about the fronts? +45 seems kind of deep for an 8.5" wide wheel. Will the +35mm wheels give me the wide-profile look I am after? I would imagine a +40mm would be perfect, but 5mm difference is only 1/5". I think it would be okay, and so does Taka Kaira. Your thoughts, oh master of all that rolls?
Are you limited to these tires? The 45mm offsets would work really well with a larger tire. You would be perfect with a 255/35R18 front and 285/30R18 rear with 45mm offsets front and rear. The tires would be a little wide for the wheels for optimal handling, but it would look fine and work fine for the street.
If they made a 10" or 10.5" rear wheel the 18x9.5" 45mm offset would be great for the front with a 265/35R18.
If you just must run the 235/40 and 275/35 and want to fill the fenders, than I would go with the 35mm offset front and rear. The fronts will work fine, but the rear will rub when hitting a bump in a curve (at high corner loads). Basically it probably won't rub enough for you to worry about trimming the fender.
I beg you, please run the larger tire setup, it is a Supra.
I am actually VERY familiar with tire fitments and offsets. I used to work for Dicount Tire. I just am not sure what the best fitment is for MKIV's. Believe me, I would LOVE to run wider, 3-piece wheels and 30-series rubber. However, I am saving the big race rubber for the road course. No need for that kind of expensive rolling stock for me on the street. For me, the daily-driving handling improvements are not more important than the $$$$$$$$$. I can't believe there will be a HUGE difference between 30-series rears on a .5" wider wheel and 35-series rears on a .5" narrower wheel. You pay BIG money for that little difference. Besides, I already glide across puddles with ease with my present 9" rear/35-series combo! Add all the smokey burnouts, Illinois potholes, and freaky midwest weather, and you might want to run 15" BFG All-Terrains! Hell, I still have to buy Bogart rears and ET Streets for drag use after my T78 build-up. Geezus! I need to rob SW's house to pay for this shit!
35mm rear offset? I thought for SURE you would say 45mm. Is it because the P275 tires won't rub if I run 35mm rears? Should I run 45mm to be safe? Or will it look goofy?
Thanks again for the help, Steve. I know you get asked the same questions constantly...
I know, I know, 285/30's would be the right height. But nobody makes a cheap one. And I'm talking Nitto 555R or Pirelli P7000 cheap. I need treadlife, baby!
I will let Steve comment on the offsets, but that would be a much better size combo. As for tires, why not go with Kuhmos. Good performance and low cost. Still limits you to 275's in the back, but they have 235/40 or 255/35 for the front. They last a long time too, just ask Steve how many road course miles he has put on his set.
That wheel is much nicer than your other choice. I think your selection of offset and tires will be just fine. I agree with Kflee, buy the Kumho's. They are great all around tires and they last like iron. They are also available in the 255/35 and 275/35 sizes. The other plus that you will be able to run a 255/285 combo in the future if you want to.
All of this information comes at a price. I expect to see some pictures when you get them on your car.