Low vs. Mid vs. High Offsets?

[240fluke]

What is the real difference when it comes to these Low, Mid and High Offsets? It should be the depth of the dish on deep dish rims right?

So how come there are rims that have something like a +15 offset and it is a mid, while the same type of rim has a +11 and is low or +17 and is high? Or rather something more along the lines of a -7 high and a +11 low offsets or +47 low vs. +41 high? How would someone even go about picking the type of rim they would want when the selection for offsets is so drastically ranged like this?

Do these offsets that are low mean that the dish is like 70mm, while a mid is 80mm and a high is 90mm or do these offsets mean something different?

If that is the case then it would mean something like a high number (+45) with a high offset would have the rim more tucked up in the wheel well while having a real deep dish to it, while a low number (-7) would push that rim out farther from the car and still have a real deep dish on the rim as well? Is that how these work?

If this is the case, then why would you choose a low vs. mid vs. high offset style rim? Caliper clearance? Maybe Coilover clearance?

Tim '95 SE

[adey]

"What's the difference between low, medium and high offset?" ... well, low offset is low (+/-0) medium offset is mid-ranged (+20 - +30 ish) and high offset is, well, high (+35- +50).

You pretty much answered your question at the end of that post... offset choice can be for many reasons. more often than not, you'll end up choosing offset based on whether or not it will fit. If you'll be rubbing your fender (too low, eg. +/-0), whether or not you'll be clearing calipers (not applicable to older wheels with v. little caliper clearance), and how much backspacing you'll have (to clear coilovers/suspension).

Other than those reasons, people may also choose their offset based on look. A low offset (+5) will *tend* to give more dish, depending on the design of the wheel. The spokes, however, of a high offset wheel (+43) will invariably be close to the edge or face of the wheel.

There isn't much to say about offset, do you have a more specific question?

[nrcooled]

I think that he might want to know what will fit best on his car. I was just researching it and would like to start wheel shopping.
Not to highjack the thread but what will be best to get a flush look for the s13. I was thinking a +30/+25 rim will get it flush. Any opinions?

[adey]

It depends on the width of the wheel you buy; a 15x6.5" +40 will have a dramatically different look than a 15x9 +40 wheel. (the 15x9 would will the wheel well up nicely, whereas the 15x6.5 would leave you asking for 3 more inches of lip.)

On S13s, a 15x7 wheel, +10 in the rear is very flush (might be safer going +15 so you don't rub the inner qtr panel) and in front, 15x7 +20 to +25 would be flush. If you can dial in some negative camber, you can go as low as 15x7 +/-0 or even probably -5... with camber, anything is possible.

[Dousan_PG]

adey knows what he's talking about

offest matter only when you give the wheel's width.

[nrcooled]

I really wanted to go up to 16x8 or 16x9. From what I am seeing is that I would have to custom build the rim through the manufacturer. Which seems pretty expensive Is there any other option.

[240fluke]

First off, thanks to all those that have replied so far. Nope, I am not searching for what will fit the car (not yet anyways). I think I need to clarify a little more.

Since I can't get a direct link to it here is a semi-link
http://www.takakaira.com/rimsandtyre...tyresindex.asp

Now click on the Manaray Sport - Zelius rims (here you will see what I am talking about when I asked the question that originally got me to be confused. I do understand what you are saying though Adey, so thanks, but check this stuff out and let me know what you think? Maybe they just used the term offset as a generic term since they didn't have a better one to use?

Tim '95 SE

[DoriftoSlut]

Ok, this is as much as I kow. Since it is a 3 piece wheel, there are various positions where the end of the spokes can meet with the out rim. This effects how much "lip" there is. Obviousl "flatter" spokes that meet the rim further inward will give youi more "lip", but they will decreas spoke clearance of the brake calipers. To fix this, the recuce the amt. of lip that you see, but either a. curve the spokes, or b. make the center hub section deeper, both allowing for more caliper clearance.

Anyway, im pretty sure this is what they are talking about with the "high/medium/low disk offset". Oh yeah... thats another thing.. most of the time you see it as low disk offset, something that probably got lost in the translation of that page for the english website.