GTTex08

So I've had my mustang for about 6 months now, I'm loving it. I haven't done much to it (cai, tune, some minor visual things) and I've been wanting to change up the wheels for a little while now.

I plan on putting black rally stripes on the top to match the GT/CS stripes on the sides, and to stick with the black on blue scheme I want some black rims.

Now my friends are telling me I should just get my current rims powder coated a nice mid-gloss black. I have a bit of curb rash on the front left rim ...... but that would be fixed I'm sure. I don't mind this, but the first quote I got was 135 a pop and 162 for clear coat... For that price I could get brand new rims from AM...

So I could get brand new rims... and get them wider then the stock 18's (I think stock is 18x8??) But I currently don't want to HAVE to buy new tires for these wheels. If I bought brand new tires I'd want to go wider, and I don't even know if my stock tires (235 wide) would fit.

Could I get 4 18x9's (about 145 per for the ones I like) or two 18x10's for the rear (165 each) but... would I have to get new tires and break the bank?

I'm also not interested in painting my own rims, I don't really have enough time and if I'm getting something done I want it done professionally. And powder coat would last much longer if I went that route.

Any feedback is helpful! Thanks.

NOLA26

Im in the exact same boat. My wife put a bit of curb rash on one of my rims also. I originaly wanted to get the FRPP black bullit rims, the ones with the silver rim. That would cost me about $600 for the set. I got a few powder coating quotes at local shops and they told me between $50-$75 per rim. Thats half price. So Im going the powder coat route. I just cant decide if I want the alum. rim or all black rims????

GTTex08

I just got a second quote back at 89$ per, I think the 135 shop is out... It's just too high for my taste. I'm hoping to find one around 75, but 89 is reasonable at least. And I wouldn't have to get new tires!

05gtdriver

To be honest, I really like the way the factory Bullitt wheels look. The aftermarket versions look downright cheap IMO. I realize the aftermarket versions have a "lip" and come in deep-dish and 20" versions as well. They still look cheap to these eyes(sorry).
BTW the 2006-2009 factory Bullitts are 18x8.5, which would accommodate 255/45-18 tires nicely if you want to upgrade later. The 2010-2011 18" factory wheels are 18x8.
Glad you're staying with & powder-coating your factory Bullitts. Post pix when you get them finished.

GTTex08

That's kinda my train of thought... I really like the look of the wheels and only want the color changed. If I get a whole different look and don't like it, I'm out a lot of money.

And them being 8.5 wide does help my decision... Can I fit 265 or 275's on there? Or is 255 about the widest I should go?

I really like the look of wider tires from the back of the car, but don't want to be forced to buy 4 new wheels I might not like... I'll keep looking for the right place to do the job... Anyone know a good place near Houston?

Vader GT

I would say get new wheels, but that coming from some one who has never kept stock wheels on anything. To be honest my biggest complaint with factory wheels (on Mustangs) is that the factory does not stagger the wheels. I know to the factory the ability to rotate tires evenly is more important that having a staggered set of wheels. I had the same wheels you had on my 08 as you do now. I loved the wheel, loved how the front wheel looked, HATED the animic looking 18x8.5 rear wheel. Even for those that go 255's on the rear it just do not fill the wheel well nicely (even on a lowered car, mine is lowered). This is just my .02 & I know there are many opinions out there.

If the factory would have made those same wheels in a 9.5 or 10 inch rear they would still be on my car!!!

So to me; new wheels & staggered (anything in 18 thru 20's). Good luck!!!

NOLA26

Well eventually I want to go staggered with a 10" rear. There is a company called weldcraft that will take your OEM wheels and widen them. I dont know how much they charge tho. Still cant decide if I want all black or the alum lip.

GTTex08

I like your thinking... Can you buy exact replicas or original bullitts that are 18x10? If the price is ok I think I would buy 2 18x10's and get them all the same nice black color I'd do that. It would cost more, but since I'd leave them on for the life of the car it'd be worth it to me.

NOLA26

You cant buy OEM bullits 10" but this company widens wheels and they have gotten good reviews. www.weldcraftwheels.com

grabber blue gt

Kind of in the same boat as you. I just bought FRPP black Brembo wheels, but I am thinking about powder coating my stock wheels black over the summer and putting winter tires on them, and use them as my winter wheels so the new ones dont get ruined. I am in the same place as you with curb rash as well, but I got a quote of $400 for all the rims to be powder coated black (no curb rash fix though)