17's VS 18's
11-24-2002, 09:51 AM
#47
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Originally posted by Mach5WRX
Just get some 17"s!
Just get some 17"s!
11-24-2002, 11:05 AM
#48
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16's are an option
If performance/cost/weight are all considered, then 16x7 is a reasonable option. There are some good lightweight 16" on the market and 16 inch tires are a bit cheaper. With careful tire choice performance will be excellent. They allow 4 piston calipers. The down side is that rotor size will be restricted.
11-24-2002, 12:19 PM
#49
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Re: some 18's lose A LOT
Originally posted by davenow
my buddy has a GTI and when he got 18'2, he ended up going back to 17's in a week because he hated the power loss.
even a 1lb heavier wheel, will make a difference, as it isnt just the weight, its how far out from the center it is
my buddy has a GTI and when he got 18'2, he ended up going back to 17's in a week because he hated the power loss.
even a 1lb heavier wheel, will make a difference, as it isnt just the weight, its how far out from the center it is
To figure out rotating mass, you add up the weight of all 4 wheels and multiply by 2. So, you won't feel the difference of 8 lbs. in the car.
11-24-2002, 01:25 PM
#50
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if u have the money, go for 18s. simply, they are going to look better. drive slower over bumps, potholes,etc.. (hey maybe bigger wheels actually promote safer driving 
) as far as dirt, offroad, snow, i wouldnt take an aftermarket wheel into anything but normal conditions anyway, so just dont sell your stockers.
) as far as dirt, offroad, snow, i wouldnt take an aftermarket wheel into anything but normal conditions anyway, so just dont sell your stockers.
11-24-2002, 02:49 PM
#52
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i am gonna go toward 18" again,
i had 18" RH back in the days, they were great on the highway, and around smooth back roads. the problem was that i hated the tires on those (toyo). then i discovered the Falken Azenis, went to those with rota 17", loved them, it was a perfect combo.
but i miss the way the 18" made the car feel like it glided on the highway.
Engineers at BMW germany say that for highway (autobahn) use you want a bigger rim smaller tire, that is why they put 18" on the M3 and M5. if you drive more around mountains roads or back roads or city, go for bigger tire and smaller rim.
beleive who you want to, i am sticking with the german's :quick and efficient. hehehe
Q
i had 18" RH back in the days, they were great on the highway, and around smooth back roads. the problem was that i hated the tires on those (toyo). then i discovered the Falken Azenis, went to those with rota 17", loved them, it was a perfect combo.
but i miss the way the 18" made the car feel like it glided on the highway.
Engineers at BMW germany say that for highway (autobahn) use you want a bigger rim smaller tire, that is why they put 18" on the M3 and M5. if you drive more around mountains roads or back roads or city, go for bigger tire and smaller rim.
beleive who you want to, i am sticking with the german's :quick and efficient. hehehe
Q
11-24-2002, 03:19 PM
#53
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Re: 16's are an option
Originally posted by miked
If performance/cost/weight are all considered, then 16x7 is a reasonable option. There are some good lightweight 16" on the market and 16 inch tires are a bit cheaper. With careful tire choice performance will be excellent. They allow 4 piston calipers. The down side is that rotor size will be restricted.
If performance/cost/weight are all considered, then 16x7 is a reasonable option. There are some good lightweight 16" on the market and 16 inch tires are a bit cheaper. With careful tire choice performance will be excellent. They allow 4 piston calipers. The down side is that rotor size will be restricted.
Pretty IMO for stock, but then again I'd like to upgrade to 17"s sometime in the near future (hopefully)
11-24-2002, 03:22 PM
#54
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Originally posted by QfactorRS
Engineers at BMW germany say that for highway (autobahn) use you want a bigger rim smaller tire, that is why they put 18" on the M3 and M5. if you drive more around mountains roads or back roads or city, go for bigger tire and smaller rim.
beleive who you want to, i am sticking with the german's :quick and efficient. hehehe
Engineers at BMW germany say that for highway (autobahn) use you want a bigger rim smaller tire, that is why they put 18" on the M3 and M5. if you drive more around mountains roads or back roads or city, go for bigger tire and smaller rim.
beleive who you want to, i am sticking with the german's :quick and efficient. hehehe
As for me, I like it slow and pleasurably painful....
11-24-2002, 04:05 PM
#56
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Another thing people haven't mentioned is that if u get 18s the brakes will look tiny compared to the larger wheel. This could be a good or bad thing i guess. Means u have more room for a bigger breaks.
IMO, generally sedans look nice with 18s b/c it fills the flared fenders well. 17s are sufficient for wagons. The style of the rim also depends if it looks better in 17 or 18s. For example the Rota Tarmacs look better in 17s since the spokes extend all the way to the outer lip of the wheel. Whereas rims such as the Volk TE37s look better in 18s b/c the spokes don't extend all the way making it look appear smaller than it actually is. Another factor that determines the look is tire choice. Some tires have a squared sidewall and others have a rounded sidewall. The former makes the tire look larger.
Performance wise, what matters is the weight an width. 18s can weigh just as much as 17s. Its just a matter of price. Many cars in Japan run 18s on the track...then again most of them are light weight forged wheels. Comfort wise, 18s are obviously going to have a harsher ride than 17s b/c of a thinner sidewall. But that has never been a problem for me. If i wanted a comfortable ride i would have gotten a camry.
Generally when i upgrade my wheels and tires i go +2 over stock. It is high enough to be noticeable and low enough without having rubbing issues. Lastly, just search the site for pictures of other cars and see what setup they're running. I'm sure you'll find many cars here running tarmacs on their cars.
IMO, generally sedans look nice with 18s b/c it fills the flared fenders well. 17s are sufficient for wagons. The style of the rim also depends if it looks better in 17 or 18s. For example the Rota Tarmacs look better in 17s since the spokes extend all the way to the outer lip of the wheel. Whereas rims such as the Volk TE37s look better in 18s b/c the spokes don't extend all the way making it look appear smaller than it actually is. Another factor that determines the look is tire choice. Some tires have a squared sidewall and others have a rounded sidewall. The former makes the tire look larger.
Performance wise, what matters is the weight an width. 18s can weigh just as much as 17s. Its just a matter of price. Many cars in Japan run 18s on the track...then again most of them are light weight forged wheels. Comfort wise, 18s are obviously going to have a harsher ride than 17s b/c of a thinner sidewall. But that has never been a problem for me. If i wanted a comfortable ride i would have gotten a camry.
Generally when i upgrade my wheels and tires i go +2 over stock. It is high enough to be noticeable and low enough without having rubbing issues. Lastly, just search the site for pictures of other cars and see what setup they're running. I'm sure you'll find many cars here running tarmacs on their cars.
11-24-2002, 04:31 PM
#57
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Originally posted by AdoboUaReX
Another thing people haven't mentioned is that if u get 18s the brakes will look tiny compared to the larger wheel. This could be a good or bad thing i guess. Means u have more room for a bigger breaks.
Another thing people haven't mentioned is that if u get 18s the brakes will look tiny compared to the larger wheel. This could be a good or bad thing i guess. Means u have more room for a bigger breaks.
Originally posted by Angus
another problem imo is the stock rotors look silly puny inside 18's or 19's. and you cant upgrade if youre keeping your stock wheels for winter/race.
another problem imo is the stock rotors look silly puny inside 18's or 19's. and you cant upgrade if youre keeping your stock wheels for winter/race.
11-24-2002, 04:41 PM
#58
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wider = better
The first set of upgraded wheels I got were 18 8s yea the side wall on the tires is less but the patch was bigger since I went with a 8 inch wheel as compared to a 6.5 inch stock wheel thus the ride wasn’t as harsh since the patch was wider...just a thought.
areg
areg
11-26-2002, 10:34 AM
#59
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Re: wider = better
Originally posted by areg
6.5 inch stock wheel thus the ride wasn’t as harsh since the patch was wider...just a thought.
areg
6.5 inch stock wheel thus the ride wasn’t as harsh since the patch was wider...just a thought.
areg
very interesting. from my experience even a 40 aspect ratio
tire felt much firmer than the same tire in 45 aspect ratio...
now you're talking going from 205/55 (112.75mm) to 225/35(78.75mm) or something? That is 17mm less cousion from the ground to your wheels. hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
that should feel completely different unless you softened up
the sus. on my tein HA's it will be a night/day difference even
with a 205/55 vs 205/50.
11-26-2002, 10:47 AM
#60
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I would never go over 17s...18s would be overkill on the WRX, I would think.
Even more than the weight of the tire + wheel, we need to also consider that in the 18s, the weight of the tire is farther out from the center, when compared to the 17s, which would add to the rotational inertia, even if the weight of the combo remains the same.
Even more than the weight of the tire + wheel, we need to also consider that in the 18s, the weight of the tire is farther out from the center, when compared to the 17s, which would add to the rotational inertia, even if the weight of the combo remains the same.