About This Honda S2000 Base 2001 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Honda S2000 Base 2001 sits on a set of 17×9 / 17×9-inch Rays-Engineering 57dr wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Rays-Engineering for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Honda S2000 Base builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Rays-Engineering 57dr creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Rays-Engineering 57dr on the Honda S2000 Base 2001
I stood right next to this S2000 at the meet, and the 17x9 +38 square setup grabbed me immediately. These Rays 57DRs are wide for an AP1, but they sit with serious authority. You get that aggressive poke that defines a proper track-inspired build.
That +38 offset pushes the face of the wheel way out compared to stock. You need to roll those fenders flat to avoid carving up your tires. Without a roll, you will destroy your paint on the first hard corner.
The 57DR design gives you incredible clearance for your brake calipers. I looked behind those spokes and saw plenty of room for a big brake kit upgrade later. The barrel depth looks deep and purposeful, which really balances out the S2000's body lines.
The hub bore fits the S2000 perfectly with the right rings, so you get zero vibration at high speeds. Rays engineering means you get a light wheel that can handle the abuse of a weekend track day. They feel rock solid under the car.
Running these on coilovers lets you dial in the exact camber you need to tuck the tires. I suggest running at least -2.5 degrees of camber in the front to clear the inner fender liners. You have to be precise with your alignment settings.
The rear fitment is snug but glorious. You get that flush look that makes the car look wider than the factory intended. Every time the sun hits those bronze spokes, the wheel profile pops against the dark fender gap.
Watch out for the tab in the rear bumper liner. You should relocate it or trim it back to keep your tires safe. This setup requires commitment, but the reward is a stance that looks like it belongs on a racing circuit.
What We Recommend for Honda S2000 Base 2001 Owners
If you want a square 17x9 setup, be prepared to do some body work. It is not a bolt-on-and-drive situation for the S2000. You need to pull or roll your fenders to make these wide boys fit comfortably.
We usually tell people to aim for a +45 offset if they want a conservative fit. However, the +38 offset is the secret sauce for that aggressive, flush look you see here. It requires more work, but the visual payoff is worth every minute of labor.
Staggered setups are easier to live with on the street. If you daily drive your S2000, keep the front width a bit narrower to avoid tramlining on bumpy roads. You want to enjoy the steering feedback, not fight the road.
Don't skimp on your tires. A meaty 245/40 or 255/40 tire looks perfect on a 9-inch wide wheel. Stretching tires is a look, but it ruins the performance that this chassis is famous for.
Many guys make the mistake of skipping the alignment rack after installing these. You must get a professional alignment to save your fenders and your tires. Do it right the first time so you can drive hard with total confidence.
Style and Build Analysis
The bronze finish on these 57DRs is iconic for a reason. It pops against almost every Honda factory color, especially if the car is white or silver. It brings a raw, motorsports aesthetic that screams JDM heritage.
The 6-spoke design is timeless and clean. It mimics the classic Gram Lights style while maintaining a modern, beefy profile. I love how the spokes don't look cluttered or busy, even when the car is moving.
Proportionally, the 17-inch diameter is the sweet spot for the AP1. Anything larger looks like a cartoon, and anything smaller gets lost in the wheel wells. These wheels fill the space exactly how Honda should have done it from the factory.
The stance makes the car look planted and ready to attack a corner. It isn't slammed into the weeds, which means the suspension geometry actually works. It sits low, wide, and mean, just like a proper driver’s car should.
Compared to other builds I see, this one stays true to the S2000’s spirit. It is not over-styled or gaudy with fake aero parts. It’s a clean build that relies on the strength of the wheel choice to do all the talking.
Why We Love This Build
Seeing this S2000 in the sunlight was a total highlight of the day. The bronze Rays 57DRs shimmer with that deep, metallic luster that only authentic Japanese wheels can capture. They fill those arches with pure intent, making the car look wider and more aggressive than the day it left the assembly line.
This build stops us in our tracks because it balances style with real-world performance. You can tell the owner actually drives this car, and that makes it ten times cooler than a trailer queen. It makes me want to grab my own keys and head for the nearest mountain pass immediately.
If you want to transform your S2000 into a true head-turner, this is the blueprint you follow. Do it once, do it right, and never look back.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Honda S2000 Base 2001
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Rays-Engineering 57dr
- Wheel Size: 17×9 / 17×9
- Offset: 38 / 38
- Wheel Finish: Bronze
- Tires: Accelera All Season 215/40 23.8″x8.5″ / 215/40 23.8″x8.5″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Honda S2000 Base owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels fit my Honda S2000 Base? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Honda S2000 Base owners run 17×9 / 17×9-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
