RIDE QUALITY: 17"s v.s. 18"s

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Mar 25, 2004 | 06:18 AM

unclehugi

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RIDE QUALITY: 17"s v.s. 18"s

I want to go from the stock 16" wheels to either 17" or 18" on my new WRX wagon. I like the look of the 18"s. However, I wonder what the diference in the ride quality will be. Anyone have any experience / comments comparing the difference? Thanks

Mar 25, 2004 | 08:59 AM

Benjamin Tang

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From: GVRD

Car Info: 2003 subaru forester xs

well, the type of tire matters, as i just found out... i went from an 18" advan RG with contiextremecontacts to 17" kuhmos on rota SDR's and the ride is worse with the 17's

Mar 25, 2004 | 09:07 AM

johndove

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Posts: 119

From: mpls, mn

Car Info: 04 wrx sedan

Quote:

Originally posted by Benjamin Tang
well, the type of tire matters, as i just found out... i went from an 18" advan RG with contiextremecontacts to 17" kuhmos on rota SDR's and the ride is worse with the 17's

well, most people *upgrade*their wheels and tires

Mar 25, 2004 | 02:17 PM

DizzyWRX

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From: Seattle

Car Info: 2004 WRBlue WRX sedan

I don't think it'll make much of a difference in ride quality whether you get the 17's or 18's. The tires and suspension will play a larger role in rideability.

Mar 25, 2004 | 02:48 PM

VRWRX

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From: Trying to figure out something creative to put her

Car Info: 2005 CGM WRX Wagon

But the sidewall height does have an effect on ride quality

Mar 25, 2004 | 02:50 PM

escaflowne

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Car Info: 2004 Black WRX wagon

i think that tires and susp are bigger factors.
shouldn't be much of a diff...

i'd go with 18s. even though they make you slower off the line, they look cooler.

Mar 26, 2004 | 02:34 PM

hiwrx

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I have 18's riding on Bridgestone S03s. The ride quality is pretty good. My dad has 17's riding on Nittos, and he said after riding in my car, that the ride quality was actually better than his.
BTW, in my opinion, 18's look sweet on the wrx.

Mar 26, 2004 | 11:00 PM

scbynut

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have centerline rpm 18's, and toyo proxes4 tires(all season for the Tahoe trips in the snow!!)

have also tried a set of falken azenis(spelling?) seemed the falkens were smoother.

Phil

Mar 27, 2004 | 10:53 AM

pimpUall

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From: Carson, CA

Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon

I just put on rota tarmac 17x 7.5 and nexen n3000 225/45/17 and it rides great. Very smooth

Mar 30, 2004 | 09:21 AM

#10

johnroyale

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From: Dallas, TX

Car Info: 2002 WRX Wagon

Quote:

Originally posted by escaflowne
i think that tires and susp are bigger factors.
shouldn't be much of a diff...

i'd go with 18s. even though they make you slower off the line, they look cooler.

Is the off-the-line acceleration difference that noticeable? If so, I guess that means I need the Cobb stage 2 package now.