Stern ST-15

n8bachelor

n8bachelor

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Hey guys. I've been looking at these wheels for a while now. I think they have been posted up here before. I have some quick questions for those in the know.

First of all the factory 16" wheels for Gen2 LSs have a +60 offset and 7" width right?

I'm a little concerned about going to an 18x8.5 wheel cause I know a lot of you go with 18x8. I'm not planning on running anything wider than 245 on them though. I am not wanting to roll the fenders, but will buy those hub-centric rings if needed. (I'm a bit of a wheel noob)

I used this comparison tool and got some promising results assuming my data about the factory 16's is correct. See below.
wheel comp.JPG
stats.JPG

Anyway, $500 shipped for these wheels seems very reasonable and I have already scoped out some good tires in that size too. I think they will look very nice on my black LS. I have not been able to find a weight for this wheel. Even tried their website but with no luck.
stern.jpg

One final question: can the tire guys balance the aftermarket wheels / tires without those ungodly wheel weights on the outside of the rim screwing up the finish??

Thanks

wheel comp.JPG


stats.JPG


stern.jpg
 
HOLY :q:q:q:q THOSE ARE NICE! Id go with 19" dropped 1 inch. Just my particular taste though. I like them, might even look at buying them at 19"...lol.
 
n8bachelor said:
One final question: can the tire guys balance the aftermarket wheels / tires without those ungodly wheel weights on the outside of the rim screwing up the finish??
Click to expand...

Yes, with stick on weights on the inside of the wheel, most tire places do their weights this way on alloy wheels.

Nice looking wheels.
 
U'd have to use sticky weights for the outer part of those, there is no outer lip. So the weight will be behind the spokes somewhere. Make sure they don't counter balance them. Looks wack and sometimes u still have vibrations
 
yup, I almost picked those up as well... they look nice but you will never know how they truly perform... look up reviews on stern wheels... you will see mixed results
 
Those are real nice! +1 on 19's but atleast you're not going stock size
 
real nice, 245/40/18 should do thats what i have, those king of look like mine
 
Kowalski said:
yup, I almost picked those up as well... they look nice but you will never know how they truly perform... look up reviews on stern wheels... you will see mixed results
Click to expand...

Yeah I read some reviews of Stern wheels (not this model) that seem to all say the same thing. Average wheel but heavy. I know my stockers dont weigh too much so I'll likely keep looking.



Can anyone verify that the stock 16" wheels on a gen2 are 16x7" with +60 offset?

How about the stock 17's.... offset = ?
 
Ebay listings say 16x6. 17's are +60 as well
 
Alax7 said:
Ebay listings say 16x6. 17's are +60 as well
Click to expand...

That's strange. This guy and this guy both list the factory 16's as 16x7.5"

That first one is the wheel on my car so that makes me feel a little better about the 8.5" width on the 18's.

Weight listed for the stock wheel is 17 lbs so it looks like I will have no choice but to increase the total weight of the wheel. I still want to know how much those Sterns weigh. Maybe the seller knows...
 
I just got a response from the seller: The wheels weigh 28lbs each. That's a pretty significant increase from my stockers. Hummm, decisions decisions.
 
n8bachelor said:
I just got a response from the seller: The wheels weigh 28lbs each. That's a pretty significant increase from my stockers. Hummm, decisions decisions.
Click to expand...

It is, but it could be worse. Ask pektel about his fonds
 
Yeah but most also have 17 stockers which weigh between 25-30 I think so it's not bad. But going from a light 16 to those does seem like a big jump in weight
 
n8bachelor said:
Most manufacturers provide detailed specifications on tire models organized by size. You could find your tires and get it exactly.
Click to expand...

Sure, which is ~25lbs...but that does not account for wear, tolerances, inaccuracy of my scale, wheel weights, valve stems, etc. I can give rough estimates, but do not like making a claim that the stock 17's must be XX lbs because the tire must weight exactly what the manufacturer states and my scale must be exactly right. ;) It is that sort of nonsense that has everyone on here believing that the lug nuts are 19mm (¾") and that Gen2's have 2.25" exhaust (2").
 
I see you are a man of precision. An asset in my profession as well.

Thanks again for your input on the stockers.
 
The weights will go on the inside of the rim...as posted before, they will use "Sticky weights" the wheels do look nice on a LS. i have 18's on mine with staggered fit tires. 225/45 ZR18 in the fronst & 255/40 ZR18 on the rear. Car runs smooth and seems to straight up float.

i have a few pics in my gallery if you would like to see

DSCF1279.jpg
 
Smitty: your car looks very nice with those wheels. I am assuming you got the same 18x8.5" +38 size I was looking at. Why did you go with different front tires (and 225's at that)? I can see going a little wider in the back but my stockers are only 225's and I was looking for a little more. Just curious.

Thanks again for chiming in with the photos. Your car looks good.
 
n8bachelor said:
Smitty: your car looks very nice with those wheels. I am assuming you got the same 18x8.5" +38 size I was looking at. Why did you go with different front tires (and 225's at that)? I can see going a little wider in the back but my stockers are only 225's and I was looking for a little more. Just curious.

Thanks again for chiming in with the photos. Your car looks good.
Click to expand...

First off, thanks for the compliment, always appreciated. Yes 18x8.5 i went skinny up front to keep road hazards (rocks, dirt, debris) from flying up the side of the car, cause no one really wants to put mud flaps on your lincoln. Wider in the rear. not only does it give you more grip to the road when its raining(not to mention, as im sure you know...its RWD :) )...when you are standing back from the car and see those wider tires in the rear, imo just makes the car look mean.
 
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