Stock '03 STR w/ Forgestar CF5s
 

Hey guys,

Purchased my STR in January and it came with some nasty chrome 19" wheels running 235 tires on all 4 corners. I wasn't able to locate stock STR wheels quickly so I went ahead and ordered Forgestars like a few other members have here.

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the fitment and they really improved the look of the car. No rubbing, flush with the fenders without going past (I think 295 could work on the back). Contact jurrian@modbargains.com and he will be able to get you what you need. From order to arrival was only 4 weeks (I think the norm is 6+ weeks).

I'll throw some real pictures up when work slows down and the car gets a full detail. Unfortunately these are just phone pics during the worst time of day where the sun is glaring. They still should give you a good idea of what to expect with these wheels.

Wheels: Forgestar CF5 Glossy Gunmetal -18x8.5 front and 18x10 rear
Tires: Sumitomo HTRZ II - 245/40/18 and 285/35/18

I'll probably put H&R springs on at some point, but first I've got transmission fluid, fix passenger rear water leak (clogged drain that I can't seem to find!), spark plugs, and less dusty brake pads. Currently it has limo tint...that will go eventually, but I have gotten used to it. I also need to locate an under-shield...my car didn't come with one.

Pictures don't do these justice. If you like a meaty tire, 18's are perfect for this car.

Awesome STR my friend, welcome to the forum, the CF5's are a good choice, I am strongly considering a set as well, once you lower that car it is going to look over the top!

edit: took the opportunity to photoshop the car a little lower and brighten it up a bit,

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361746705

Love the photochop! Thanks!

Welcome to the Forgestar mafia! I think we are up to three members now (that I know of). I'm the only one with 19s for the moment.

Looks great Treese88!

Excellent! I may be looking at going to 19" Forgestars come this spring...

I assume Eibach doesn't make lowering springs for these cars and the only way to go is H&R and Mina? Are there any that offer a lower drop?

Eibach does not make springs for these cars. I use H&R. I have had cars in the past lowered to the point where the tires were tucked under the fenders and will say this, you do not want to go lower than the H&R springs lower the STR. They lower the STR pretty good, and looks aggressive as opposed to extravagant.

Or Arden springs if you like to waste money

And how much lower are you wanting?

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361905809

Damn... Michael Star certainly makes a good point re: lowering springs,

and that STR looks stunningly good!!! damn michael!!! I want new wheels for mine...

I have learned over the years that either H&R or Eibach make the springs for all the tuner companies. Arden probably has their springs made by H&R since Eibach doesn't make any for individual sale. I have learned that some tuners, I think it was Lorinser, would just ask them (H&R) to make it in a different ride height than what they otherwise sell. I had Prodrive springs before, and they were made by Eibach for Prodrive.

I've always found lowering springs have more of a visual effect in person. So I agree with the above statements in that there really is no reason to try and find something lower than H&R.

Thanks for the comments guys.

I always check for Eibach first because its a brand i've used on past vehicles and presently on my MSRT8 right now and I just trust the brand. Michael Star, your car looks great and if thats the drop that H&R will produce then that will work fine for me. The photo is of a 3 inch drop on my SRT8, it tucks under the fenders slightly when parked, but much more when driving. Nothing looks better than a lowered stance on an already awesome car and can't wait to pick me up a STR and get started. I found a 03 in my area, but the price was @ $15k and i've seen them much lower than that so i'm still looking.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361975682
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361976407

The funny thing is even with my car lowered and low pro tires (275/30/20 rear) people still say the car has a nice ride without being too harsh. That is why I really like a double a-arm suspension set up vs a McPherson strut. Even lowered, there is still a lot of spring that is supporting the car to give it a better ride.

Mine on H&R springs:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361977635

I have always used H&Rs except on my old WRX. They usually drop lower than Eibachs. However, Eibachs are not an option on our cars anyway.

Looks good, what size wheels are you running? And treese88 do you ever come out to Caffeine & Octane on the first Sunday of every month in Alpahretta? It's this Sunday and i'm a regular and would love to see your STR if you make it out.

Mine are with Arden springs, and the same goes for me, the ride is not hard at all. Plus I'm running 20's :icon_eddie:

What offset wheels are you guys using? I'm obviously a deep dish wheel guy and went through 2 sets of wheels until I found a set that cleared the Brembo's. Are there many deep dish options for this lug pattern that will clear the calipers? I know the offset is 40-45, but i also know that spacers can be used to make a lower offset fit as well.

JC, if you're referring to STR wheels, they have a very high positive offset, about +57 front and rear, on top of being staggered widths, with 18x8.5 F and 18x9.5 R.

As far as aftermarket wheel selection goes, the STR's 5x108 bolt pattern means there isn't a lot out there, but that's the least of your worries,

This high of positive offset is a not very common, so you will not find many aftermarket wheels out there which 'fit right'.

Wheel spacers will help in terms of clearing the brembo brakes, but they only exacerbate the offset issue, meaning, they will push the wheel closer toward the fender, giving you even less positive offset.

So what this boils down to is, you will have a bunch of cheesey-looking, 8" wide pizza-cutter, non-staggered ugly wheels to chose from on eBay, most with an ET45,

You have the coventry hornets michael star showed off earlier in this thread, which are advertised as 'jag specific' and available staggered, with either 19x9.5 R or 20x10 R,
Problem is, the 19x9.5 is ET25, and the 20x10 is ET45, which imo, is not positive enough for an STR in the rear, combined with a spacer, they stick out a lot, I asked michael star about his 20x10 hornets in the rear... fender clearance is not good at all, he reports having to roll and still on going rubbing/damage issues

Only reasonable option for aftermarket wheels is really the forgestar CF5's, they make them with up to +55 offset for the 19x10's in the rear, so it fits like a glove for a staggered setup and priced very reasonably, making them the stand-out choice.

Other wheel manufacturers will be able to do custom wheels that fit proper such as ADV1, 360 Forged, HRE, etc,
But they are signficantly more expensive than forgestars; a set of one-piece wheels for ADV.1 for instance I was quoted $5,500 + tires...

Stock STR zeus, vulcan and 19" barcelona wheels are also good choices for these cars,

I just took some pics of it.

This is how far it sticks out
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361990271

Not much clearance for the brakes with the spacers
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361990271

They do stick out a bit don't they?
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1361990271