[HEMEEE]

And the winner is.... eudaman!
Yes, those were indeed fatchance's wheels on my car.
Anybody else notice??

fatchance saw that there were questions I couldn't answer about the Hotchkis springs and swaybars with larger wheels since I was running stock.
He PM'd me and said:

~Linda
If you have a couple of floor jacks, I say I cruise up to your house and put my 22's on your car.
Then we can go cruise for a bit so you can see what you think.

WW... what a generous offer!! To run my car for awhile on only the most beautiful wheels I've seen yet on a 300??! So who am I to turn down such a proposition??
It's a DATE!! After all, this was being done in the name of research...

Hubbeee was scheduled to work on my Nomad, but had the entire week following off for our upcoming car show up north so he was willing to sacrifice the time and space
...in the name of research, of course!

I invited a couple of 'locals' to watch the fun; deegee showed and we took some pics of our 3 cars together, but 300TouringNproud had to work.
Darn it, as you will see by my pics, we could have used his photography skills
...in the name of research, of course!

Hubbeee and fatchance went to work making the wheel switch... no easy task in the heat.
My participation was reduced to wiping sweaty brows, replenishing drinks, locating misplaced sockets and making a run to replace a dying impact wrench...
Oh well, I was happy to save myself for the test drive
...in the name of research, of course!

Finally the switch was made and it was time for the moment of truth. deegee joined us for a short run and seemed duly impressed, perhaps he'll chime in here later. Then I dropped him back at the house and fatchance and I went for a good long cruise on just about every type of road I could think of to give me a broad spectrum of comparisons... bumpy, rutted, curved, hills, freeway, surface streets, dips and driveways... and all roads I am very familiar with under stock conditions, as well as with the Hotchkis suspension with my stock wheels/tires. Impressive!!! As I outlined in my review -here-
Then I took fatchance for lunch and a brew to say 'thanks' for a really cool day
...in the name of research, of course!

We got back to my house and Hubbeee went to work with fatchance switching the wheels back again (*dammit*)
Hubbeee never did get to work on my Nomad that day... what a good sport he has been!!
fatchance and I then parked our cars together face-to-face for final pics for comparison. Hubbeee measured both cars from the street to the top of the wheel wells, which I've provided below
...in the name of research, of course!

fatchance... Thank you again and again and again, I always have fun when I'm with you, but this was a really generous thing for you to do! :kiss: :hug:
Research, schmesearch... that was a kick!

Really, I wasn't trying to deceive all of you, just having a little fun...
we need it around here lately, so SMILE :veryhappy

fatchance -
-Wheels: Raceline one-piece forged 22x9
-Tires: Nitto Extreme 255/30/22
-Diffs: (compared to mine stock) Front 1/4" lower - Rear 1/8" lower

Hotchkis Performance springs and swaybars specs

click...
The 3 of us


A few from slightly different angles

 

[HEMI4ME?]

Cool write up, that was very nice of Fatchance... Those wheels are definitely very sick (in a good way). Seeing all those pics makes me think about lowering my car, I am just so against it because of the ride that my 98 Honda Accord had years ago. I assume my 300 car would still ride way better than the Accord because of the way it is put together and the suspension that is already there - It needs to be done though :banana:

 

[fatchance]

Although it was a lot of work, it was definately worth it. When we finished the swap the first time Linda looked like a kid on Christams. She had her route all planned out for the test. She loved the look and the ride and was surprised with the ride quality. Believe me she cover everything but the off road course. We would of had a problem with that one.

Personally I like the Hotchkis set up and fits the bill perfectly for those who want to lower there car without going to far. IMO this set up with the 265/35/22 tire would be perfect. I can't imagine having any issues as far as rubbing or the rolling fenders. The Hotchkis really cleans up the wheel well.

 

[HEMEEE]

Although it was a lot of work, it was definately worth it. When we finished the swap the first time Linda looked like a kid on Christams. She had her route all planned out for the test. She loved the look and the ride and was surprised with the ride quality. Believe me she cover everything but the off road course. We would of had a problem with that one.

Personally I like the Hotchkis set up and fits the bill perfectly for those who want to lower there car without going to far. IMO this set up with the 265/35/22 tire would be perfect. I can't imagine having any issues as far as rubbing or the rolling fenders. The Hotchkis really cleans up the wheel well.

MAN, it was a lot of work alright... didn't expect it to be as involved as it was, but worth it? Absolutely!

The look on my face was nothing compared to the look on fatchance's face when he saw the wheels pulled and the difference between my sway bars and his! His comment was that the stock looked like "angelhair pasta" compared to Hotchkis. To tell the truth, I was surprised when I saw the diff as well, just seeing the numbers doesn't do justice to the improvement and it became all the more obvious why I enjoyed that 8,000 ft. mountain "twisties" (for NR) drive so much more.

Now I regret that I didn't shoot pics of the sway bars... sorry, I was pre-occupied! I'll try to get some pics from Hotchkis of stock and theirs side by side.

 

[5point7]

I thought it was the same wheel..but would have never guessed they were actually from his ride!! LOL.

Those are the BEST wheels I've seen on a silver C, and the Hotchkis kit looks incredible.

Thanks to you both! Great forum with great members!

 

[HEMEEE]

Cool write up, that was very nice of Fatchance... Those wheels are definitely very sick (in a good way). Seeing all those pics makes me think about lowering my car, I am just so against it because of the ride that my 98 Honda Accord had years ago. I assume my 300 car would still ride way better than the Accord because of the way it is put together and the suspension that is already there - It needs to be done though :banana:

Even though it was one of the FIRST things I wanted to do, I waited almost 1-1/2 yrs. to lower mine because I was concerned about the Eibach setup for my personal driving style... I don't drive like "they" say fatchance does :tounge-in j/k.
I will tell you that aside from certain driveways and speed bumps, which I had to use caution with when stock anyway, I do NOT baby the drive at all.

You're a neighbor, if you're gonna be in the Cali area sometime soon lemme know, I'll toss ya the keys!

 

[HEMEEE]

I thought it was the same wheel..but would have never guessed they were actually from his ride!! LOL.

Those are the BEST wheels I've seen on a silver C, and the Hotchkis kit looks incredible.

Thanks to you both! Great forum with great members!

The pleasure was mine/ours! :biggrin:
Except for our little fun and games, you won't see wheels like those on another car... it's been tried, but they're one-off's for fatchance alone and they protect him well!

 

[300TouringNproud]

You're a neighbor, if you're gonna be in the Cali area sometime soon lemme know, I'll toss ya the keys!

Oh I am sooooo gonna take you up on that. I'm bummed I didn't get to join you guys that day (stupid work.. grumble, grumble, grumble...) I think you are one of the most contributive members of the forum!

 

[HEMEEE]

Oh I am sooooo gonna take you up on that. I'm bummed I didn't get to join you guys that day (stupid work.. grumble, grumble, grumble...) I think you are one of the most contributive members of the forum!

Well Aaron, after all, you DO know where I live!
...and thanks for the props, we missed ya!

 

[apbrian112]

so linda, when are you gonna get 22's of your own? they look so good on our cars.

 

[HEMEEE]

so linda, when are you gonna get 22's of your own? they look so good on our cars.

Hey Brian, wheels & tires are next on my list... Nothing wrong with my wheels, and my tires are still in good shape so I'm in no hurry. Haven't decided yet on 22's vs. 20's.
See ya at the meet next month, hope you show up before everyone's gone this time! :silly:

 

[chasb]

I like 20's

Why don't you get black like mine. THey might look sweet on the silver car.


BTW I"M SORRY

Hey Brian, wheels & tires are next on my list... Nothing wrong with my wheels, and my tires are still in good shape so I'm in no hurry. Haven't decided yet on 22's vs. 20's.
See ya at the meet next month, hope you show up before everyone's gone this time! :silly:

 

[HEMEEE]

Why don't you get black like mine. THey might look sweet on the silver car.

Actually chas, I really do like the sporty look of black wheels with a deep chrome lip on silver and it is a consideration.

...BTW, no apologies​

 

[apbrian112]

See ya at the meet next month, hope you show up before everyone's gone this time! :silly:

hehe... i'll be there on time next month! :wink1: if i show up late, you can give me one of these --------> :nutkick: :silly:

 

[kidcoastal]

Actually chas, I really do like the sporty look of black wheels with a deep chrome lip on silver and it is a consideration.

...BTW, no apologies​

I love that look as well. You might also like a dark charcoal. let me know if you need photoshop help.

 

[chasb]

Dark cahrcoal

I love that look as well. You might also like a dark charcoal. let me know if you need photoshop help.

Probably nicer than my black on the silver Good idea

Chas