Howdey!
I have a 2002 Gem 4seater. I’ve been looking at getting some after market wheels for it. I found a set of wheel spacers that convert it to a 4x100 lug pattern which happens to also match the honda civic pattern. Through my research i found that most gems that go with aftermarket wheels also use a 205/45r16 tire/rim combination. What i cannot figure out is what offset the rims used are. The most common after market rim offset’s i come across are +35mm to a +45mm. Has anyone gone this route? I don’t want to drop hundreds on an aftermarket wheels only to find out the offset is incorrect and wont fit.
Thanks,
~Ash
hi Ash… this question starts a firestorm on the yahoo board… the pros and cons to the spacers seems to be endless… I’m going to stick my neck out and say ’ I replaced my wheels on an ‘05 eS with NO spacers and so far have seen no problems’… I looked at the low profile tires on other cars(in photos… have no one here to ask in person) I felt they would make for a hard ride… I chose a taller wheel for more speed… the 185/65R-14 has given me 28 mph… the wheel I picked was a 14 x 6 4-100 38SMF MB Viper SMF 73.1 from Discount Tire(because the GEM doesn’t show up as a car in anyone’s book… I call mine a '99-'06 Civic) I did this for price and looks… I’ve wondered if a 15" might have been better and maybe a rolling resistance tire would have added a little more… over all I’m happy with my looks and ride
Bob
[QUOTE=Crazycomie;12060]Howdey!
I have a 2002 Gem 4seater. I’ve been looking at getting some after market wheels for it. I found a set of wheel spacers that convert it to a 4x100 lug pattern which happens to also match the honda civic pattern. Through my research i found that most gems that go with aftermarket wheels also use a 205/45r16 tire/rim combination. What i cannot figure out is what offset the rims used are. The most common after market rim offset’s i come across are +35mm to a +45mm. Has anyone gone this route? I don’t want to drop hundreds on an aftermarket wheels only to find out the offset is incorrect and wont fit.
Thanks,
~Ash[/QUOTE]
Hmm. im still pretty new with the Gem’s. Do they have a standard honda lug pattern from factory? I was under the impression that I would have to get the spacers to covert it to a 4x100 pattern.
[QUOTE=eS GEM Colo;12062]hi Ash… this question starts a firestorm on the yahoo board… the pros and cons to the spacers seems to be endless… I’m going to stick my neck out and say ’ I replaced my wheels on an ‘05 eS with NO spacers and so far have seen no problems’… I looked at the low profile tires on other cars(in photos… have no one here to ask in person) I felt they would make for a hard ride… I chose a taller wheel for more speed… the 185/65R-14 has given me 28 mph… the wheel I picked was a 14 x 6 4-100 38SMF MB Viper SMF 73.1 from Discount Tire(because the GEM doesn’t show up as a car in anyone’s book… I call mine a '99-'06 Civic) I did this for price and looks… I’ve wondered if a 15" might have been better and maybe a rolling resistance tire would have added a little more… over all I’m happy with my looks and ride
Bob[/QUOTE]
that’s the arguement… one wheel is 4x4 the other is 4x100mm… as I said the Honda 4x4 has worked for me… had the wheels off yesterdat for new brakes and saw no weired wearing… think the Honda or any 4x4 pattern is good to go… I spent my $700 + and that’s my opinion only!
Bob
[QUOTE=Crazycomie;12064]Hmm. im still pretty new with the Gem’s. Do they have a standard honda lug pattern from factory? I was under the impression that I would have to get the spacers to covert it to a 4x100 pattern.[/QUOTE]
about choosing Discount Tire… I could see the items on line… could have ordered online if I had wanted to… prices were matched at store… store installers took the time to only put one wheel on… match the stud line up… checked the clearence on both the front and rear… then mounted the tire and did it all again… only did they then put all the tires on… the deal was that if the first one didn’t work the deal was off…
Bob
I believe the GEM already uses the common 4X100 bolt pattern.
Daniel
Hmm, now i just need to figure out what offset will fit with or without a spacer. eS GEM Colo, Any idea what it was on the set of rims you got?
[QUOTE=GEMmechanic;12067]I believe the GEM already uses the common 4X100 bolt pattern.
Daniel[/QUOTE]
same as the civic wheel +38 mm… I really don’t understand what a spacer really does… I think as long as the wheel doesn’t hang up on anything you are good to go… I have included two photos of my car with my new tires…
civic tire guide
Honda Civic Wheels & Tires Buyer’s Guide at PRO Civic
Bob
[QUOTE=Crazycomie;12068]Hmm, now i just need to figure out what offset will fit with or without a spacer. eS GEM Colo, Any idea what it was on the set of rims you got?[/QUOTE]
1 Like
Looks very nice! I think im going to go with the larger rim size and a lower profile tire. i live in a small gated community and will only be using it to take my daughter to the park and making short runs to the store across from our community so im not too concerned about speed and it being a slightly ruffer ride. I’ve been looking at going with a set of 16’s and the 205/45 tire.
[QUOTE=eS GEM Colo;12069]same as the civic wheel +38 mm… I really don’t understand what a spacer really does… I think as long as the wheel doesn’t hang up on anything you are good to go… I have included two photos of my car with my new tires…
civic tire guide
Bob[/QUOTE]
a lot of prople are running that tire and I haven’t heard any complaints think you have made a good choice… post a photo and tell us how you like the ride… I doubt that I’ll make any changes in the near future am still paying Discount Tires for the ones I got… would love to find a place with a trade back policy…
Bob
[QUOTE=Crazycomie;12077]Looks very nice! I think im going to go with the larger rim size and a lower profile tire. i live in a small gated community and will only be using it to take my daughter to the park and making short runs to the store across from our community so im not too concerned about speed and it being a slightly ruffer ride. I’ve been looking at going with a set of 16’s and the 205/45 tire.[/QUOTE]