April 13, 2013

I've just put these on recently as the daily driver set, remounting the stock tires and TPMS valves. The 5x100mm, 17x7.5, +40mm offset Fujin weighed in right at 17.0 lbs less TPMS valve stem, center cap, and balance weights whereas the factory wheel weighed in at 20.8 lbs less TPMS valve stem and center cap. I ran my track wheel set (Kosei K4R [15.6 lbs less valve stem, center cap, and balance weights] with 215/45-17 Kumho Ecsta XS (21 lbs) for a few days before having the Enkei Fujin's tired.

I really like how the extra width, better offset, and lighter weight improves the ride on the stock tires over the factory wheels. Bumps are soaked up better and smoothed out, with less 'bobble' back and forth from uneven surfaces/seams. Steering is more precise and immediate as well - and stock the FRS has excellent steering precision. Ride is even improved very slightly over the track wheel/tire setup.

For the price it is really everything I wanted for my daily driver set; looks that really compliment the FR-S, noticeably less unsprung mass that improves the ride/handling, and easy to maintain.

Had a deluge of rain early Thursday morning and the Fujin's really made me love the stock tires - such precise steering with a suspension that stuck to the road giving plenty of grip. With traction in sport mode, 3/4 fuel level, and tires aired to 38psi F/37psi R, the wet drive in to work was the best the FR-S has ever been... so balanced and planted at the same time, put a huge smile on my face and I nearly wanted to bust out with tears of joy. While the track set is nice, they add a little too much under steer in street driving scenarios and the grip level really doesn't allow you to experience the balancing precision the car has on the street. The Ecsta XS absolutely comes alive pushing the car hard on track though (beyond sane street levels), balance and grip are excellent for intermediate HPDE level.

FR-S + lighter/wider 17" wheels + stock tires = street driving PERFECTION!

February 02, 2012

Very high quality light weight wheel, I did not want to pay OZ prices to get a 17" wheel that weighed less than 18lbs. These wheels have held up very well for 25,000+ miles, through the crap northeast winters and there is not a single scratch on them nor any flaking paint from all the salt on the roads. Handling improved a little from having less weight but not enough to be a selling point. The bigger selling point for me is how much better the car rides. These wheels with tires came in at 37lbs on my scale with 225/45-17 mounted, compared to 52lbs for the stock VW Detroit 18's. My in-laws complain a lot less about how hard my car rides when we take them out in my car now....that alone is worth twice what I paid.