That's what I did, I didn't wanna drop money on a new set of wheels when the stockers were fine. Powdercoating is awesome! Click the ! in my sig after Stealth EVO for pictures.

 

Looks are the main thing, particularly for 18" wheels which add weight for no performance benefit. There are 18's which are lighter than the stock enkeis, but all those rims are available in even lighter 17" versions. Some people want wider rolling stock for autox and track days as well. I am sure that people do it for every reason under the sun. I saw an evo guy with crappy Motegi rims and Nankang tires... that's like trying to sew hooves onto a greyhound. And of course there is always the dedicated minority who are replacing the wheels for performance reasons (lighter and/or wider and/or stronger)

Thankfully I haven't seen any spinners on Evos yet. If I did it, I'd probably go with RPF1's in gold, which are light but not particularly pretty. I am sure lots would make fun of the gold but I saw the combo of red/gold on an 70's ferrari race car and I really liked the look.

 

your $, do whatever to suite your fancy. for me, I need a extra set of rims for the track.

 

Assuming Mitsu won't void your warranty if you ADD rims to your car other than stock or Mitsu. . . .since I'm new here, I'll claim ignroance to the Evo platform, but if you have premature wear on bushings, control arms, etc., they'll blame the rims first. . . .(but knowing myself and most people on here, I'm sure worn bushings or other suspension component only justifies buying some aftermarket pieces and slapping them on!). . . .correct me if I'm wrong. . .

I plan on slapping some OZ Superleggera's on after I wear through the stock tires. . . .they weight 20.3 lbs, just like the Stock Enkei's, and are far better looking. . . .that, and they are 18X9, so the rubber will be nice and stretched, less sidewall flex, etc.

If i HAD the money, I'd jump for the 18X8.5 WORKS forged Rims in BLACK (I'm looking at a Tarmac Black '05). . .but it's tough to justify nearly $3200 for rims+tires. . .even if they weigh the same as the BBS stockers on the MR (18.8lbs).

 

**** looks good. same thing im doing to my evo. i think a black car with tinted windows and black wheels looks tight. my 2 cents