Michelin Exalto PE2 for the Summer and Wheel Suggestions

Through a contact of a friend-of-a-friend, I got a new set of Exaltos PE2s in 215/45/17 for $390 delivered, which beats the $159/tire that Tire Rack gets. I'm not a Goodyear or Michelin fan, primarily because I feel their tires are overpriced for what you get. Not becasue they are bad tires, but at this price, they seemed worth it. I have had ES100s on my other car that I love, and was swayed by the Tire Rack test of the Exaltos against the ES100s, as well as other tires (and I have also had the RSAs): [url]http://tinyurl.com/4keww[/url] Anyway, I am into light wheel/tire combos, and these tires are only 21 #s each. I have been looking at the Kosei K1 TS wheels for $199 (at about 13.8 - 14 #s) and the SSR Competition for $355, which are 12.8 #s. These are both 17x7", BTW. Leaning toward the Kosei for the price vs weight, but any comments/experiences between these two wheels would be appreciated. Or, any other wheels of the 5-spoke variety that are sub-15# in a 17x7" for a reasonable price. This is my daily driver, so staying with the stock wheel size, 45-series tires, and stock wheel width is paramount for all-season driving on Midwest roads!

A lot of people have had bad experiences with the SSR Competitions bending. I would not get those wheels in 17". I don't know about the Kosei wheels. Just be aware that some of the super lightweight wheels are more prone to damage from potholes -- just because they're forged doesn't make them invincible. But.... as for other wheels that come to mind: Centerline RPM (17x7", forged, 13.5 pounds): [url="http://www.centerlinewheels.com/wheels_detail.php?mw_id=4&sw_id=27"]http://www.centerlinewheels.com/wheels_detail.php?mw_id=4&sw_id=27[/url] RO_JA Formula 5 (17x7", forged, 14.5 pounds): [url="http://www.rojawheels.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=2&name=Formula%205%20Silver&style=2453"]http://www.rojawheels.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=2&name=Formula%205%20Silver&style=2453[/url]

I'm aware of the issues with lightweight wheels, it's just part of the "joy of ownership" that comes with owning them in a northern-road climate. I also like light weight, though, so I put up with some of that. If nothing else, lightweight tires are a good start for most folks. I had seen the Centerlines, and there was another thread on the Centerline Sport Compacts, which come in a 50mm offset, but are only rated at 1100 #s. The standard Centerline RPM, as well as the RO_JA, are less than a 50mm offset (down around 40mm). I would rather stay with no less than a 50mm offset, just to stay close to the factory setup. I'm interested in any 50-55mm 17x7 wheel that weighs no more than the stock wheel, and preferably less.