IMPRESSIONS?

I know that there are many threads on this, but not everyone that comments has had both and may be bias. Some may have ridden in there friends cars with the opposite size/s, but may not know the differences like someone who's owned both.

Like many of you, I don't have a whole lot of money to throw around trying out different wheels and tires, and really want to make wiser choices in spending my money.

What are your impressions, what size tires were you running (ie. 225/45/17, 235/45/17, 235/40/17, 225/40/18), and what suspensions are you all on with that tire size. Do you mostly drive in the city, bay area, or occasional trip to Tahoe.

Thanks for your help!

 

225/40/18 Pirelli P-zeros on my volks GT-Ps

these are my daily wheels, but I push them pretty hard in the hills too. They are not that uncomfortable but I suppose that also has to do with your suspension too.




245/40/17 Khumo Victoracer V-700s on Rota Torques. You really cant compare these with my 18s performance wise since Ive really not gotten anywhere near their limit on the street or in the hills,

 

ohh krinkov, so thats yours. i was suprised on how little clearence you had over the brembros at mt hammy

 

krinkov, i thought you had clearance issues on those rims a while back? Are you running spacers or somethings?

 

yeah, the GT-Ps DONT fit over the Brembos, not even close!

with 10mm spacers the fit so tight it would have scraped paint on hard turns so right now Im running H&R 12mm spacers they only make for Audis but work just fine, now the wheels are pushed all the way out the way they should look

Side benefit, making your front track wider is an old auroX trick to increase turn-in response, boy this thing feels like it has an EVO rack in it now!

 

I'm running Cusco 02R with TE37 17x8 225/45/17 and work meister 17x8 225/40/18.

I get a better stiffer ride with the 18s due to the sidewall flex on the 17s. If you're on a budget, I would suggest going with 17s as tires are cheaper and easier to get.

Tommy

 

I've had both 17 & 18" wheels. I like the look on the 18" and the turn in seems nicer (don't flame, lol.)

But because of cost of 18" Tires get 17" wheels. your wallet will be lovin' it.

Larry

 

BTW, the front mount is hooked up now too, so everyone stop laughing at me!

 

lol i thought it was functioning before. btw what kind of drop is that? how many fingers?

 

Porkchop,

I have the same coilovers (Zero 2r's), but haven't put them on yet, getting some warranty stuff done first. I'm running the stock rims and tires which obviously cry like a little baby around corners, but the ride for everyday over various roads is comfortable. Is the 45/17's that much softer than the 40/18's, or at least a noticable difference? I'm thinking if I got 17's to do either 225/45's or 235/40's maybe even 45's just as a compromise between better handling and comfortable ride, and for looks drop it about a finger length above the wheel well. Also may hit Tahoe a few times this winter, so considering m+s performance tires. I do love the look of the 18's though. Am considering OZ's Superleggera's 18's.

Sorry for the long winddedness!

thanks to everyone.

bump!



!

 

thats just Tein springs, not the best but nice even drop, about 2 fingers front/rear:

I had Flex installed but coilovers just arent the best choice for the amount of rough backroads I thrash on around here, would like to find a nicer set of springs that still had the same drop though.

 

I have a wagon and run 18" prodrive PFF7's with 225/40/18 tires in summer and 17" prodrive p1's with 215/45/17 tires in winter. Obviously performance on the track and through the twisties is much better on the 18's. I live in the city and there is a noticeable difference and decrease in comfort with the 18's, but that's just city driving. On the freeways it's not as big a difference. And for the vain, the look of the 18's can't even be compared to the 17's.

If you do a lot of city driving, get 17's. If you want the looks and increased performance, definitely 18's.

 

1st set-up:

17x7 Prodrive P1 & 225-45-17 Bridgestone SO-3

Handled very well but got bored of the P1's, and they were heavy as bricks.


2nd set-up:

18x7.5 VOLK TE-37 in Platinum Silver & 225-40-18 Yokohama AVS Sport

Handled pretty good but not as well as w/the 17's/SO-3's. AVS' were LOUD too! Silver TE's are RARE, but IMO, they didn't go too well w/WRB, so I sold them in less than 2 weeks....friend ended up painting them black!?


3rd (current) set-up:

18x7.5 VOLK LE-37T in gunmetal w/polished lips & 225-35-18 Toyo T1-S

IMO, the T1-S is the best all-around street performance tire on the market. The SO-3's are better on dry ground, but the T1-S' have superior wet grip. The Toyos have better treadwear too. My only gripe is that the sidewalls are pretty soft. Oh, and I should've went w/40 series. My 35's look like rubber bands and rim protection is next to none!

My .O2 is that 17's are better suited for comfortable daily driving, especially in the city, where potholes and other obstacles are all over the streets. But WRX's have HUGE fenderwells, and 18's definitely look better.

Good point here too VVVVVVVVVVVV

 

well the ride would be alot better just because you're on stock suspension and wheels. Even if you had the Cuscos on with stock tires and wheels, it would ride pretty nice, except it might be slightly bouncy caused by the sidewall flex.

You can cut the sidewall flex down by either running harder sidewall tires (ie. S0-3) or go with 40/18s.

I noticed a big difference when I switched from 17s to 18s. The car is less bouncy and less rollover on the tires.

hope this helps...

Tommy

 

I know this is totally not related, but I have stock 16's with Eibach pro kit and with city driving,.. it can get pretty harsh. I'm not sure how it'll feel with the 17's or 18's.. sometimes it sounds like the car is going to break in half! haha it's an 04.. the shocks ware still really good. You might wanna ride in someone else's car with 17's and 18's to see if you like the feel. If you really wanna test it. Get off the Baybride onto Fremont.. go straight and when you are about to cross Market.. there's the muni rails... yeah.. you'll feel it. and if you go 25 mph and above while crossing.. you'll feel like your car is going to break in half. Some parts of Berkeley are like that too.. near the Public Market and near the train tracks.

-Ken