Tires: rims, 16 inch rims, www tirerack com wheels

Question
QUESTION: hi- i am wondering if 16 inch rims from either a 2000 nissan quest, or a 2004 jeep cherokee will fit my 2009 ford escape , i think they all have 5 by 4.5 bolt patterns, but can't get a definite answer. Ford did not even want to help me, just wanted me to come buy some at the dealer--i dont have that cash. any info would be greatly appreciated. also, what is 'offset' concerning with rims?  thanks!!!

ANSWER: Dear Greg,
Thank you for using AllExperts!
According to my data, your Ford Escape requires a 5 x 114.3mm bolt circle.  The Jeep has a 5 x 127mm, so that won't work.  The Nissan Quest has a 5 x 114.3mm, but the center bore is too small for your Ford and the lug hole dimensions are also too small.  Sorry that none of these options are going to work for you.

Here's an illustration and definition of wheel offset:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=101

Let me know if you have any further questions.
DT

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you so much! i do have another question. I am also looking at a great deal on basic steel wheels, guy said off a 92 or 93 dodge intrepid. they are 5 lug, 114.3 bolt pattern, and it looks like the intrepid had a bigger centerbore, like 70+ mm versus my escape 60 something mm.  does the center bore dimension have to fit exactly? or do you think these rims will work? Thanks again, i am goin nuts tryin to figure out what rims will fit...it seems like it used to be easier, and more were interchangeable.

Answer
Dear Greg,
The short answer to your question is: yes, the bore diameter must match your hubs exactly.  The reason for this is that all modern original equipment wheels are "hub centric" and are centered by a snug fitment of the wheel bore hole onto the wheel hub (see pic).  Years ago wheels used to be "lug centric"...centered by the lugs. A BIG problem with aftermarket, styled wheels (or even steel wheels) is that if the user/consumer buys wheels that do not fit snuggly over their wheel hub, or don't get hub ring adapters, a ride/vibration problem usually results.  You may very well have the same problem (vibration) unless the wheels fit exactly and snuggly over the Escape hubs.  

http://esprit.driestone.com/uploads/Esprit/WaynesSpacer.jpg