17" VS 18" rims...advantages/disadvantages???

[98FWDSM]

ok, i found a set of rims that i like, but they dont come in a 17", i had settled on 17s because i figured that, since i have 16s on it now, that 18s would be too big and i definetly wanted something larger than stock....so, can you tell me some of the pros and cons of each size, and if you have pictures that would be GREAT!! these will be going on a black 98 GST

Thanks

also i DID try searching for this but you cant search anything under 3 characters

 

[wret]

18 inch wheels leave less room for rubber, i.e., less cushioning. They may be slightly better handling than 17’s though increased weight probably negates it.

Bottom line, bigger wheels = harsher ride and greater risk of damage over rough pavement. I have been over some doosey pot holes with no damage yet.

 

[jtmcinder]

18" wheels are usually heavier than 17"s. More importantly, they have higher moments of inertia, since the weight is farther out from center, so the car is slower to accelerate and brake. Plus, with today's stiff-sidewall DOT-R tires, there really isn't a handling advantage in terms of lateral grip. All in all, therefore, the only "excuse" for 18" wheels is having big brakes. In fact, for autoXing a 2G (where you don't need brakes bigger than stock), most people are on 16"s.

- Jtoby

 

[TSiAWD666]

Both those responses are accurate reflections of my experiences with 18" wheels. Since I believe there are no real-world benefits with today's options of going 18s other than making sure you can fit massive brakes (you can still fit many great ones in most 17s), I would go for the 17s at least for the better tire selection.

 

[MNGSX]

That was all good advice.

Bigger wheels and tires to match are always more expensive than the next size down.

They are'nt always heavier unless you are compairing the same exact wheel in the same width but a different diameter. Like a 17x7 SSR type c vs a 18x7 SSR type C. etc. Then the 18 would be heavier. A 17 inch rota would be alot heavier than the 18 inch SSR.

Exceptions exist to every rule kind of.

Lets say this wheel in 19x7.5 vs a cast lightweight wheel like a rota in 17.

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http://www.centerlinewheels.com/wheels_detail.php?mw_id=4&sw_id=27


I know of a 235 wide 19in tire that weighs 20.0 lbs. Tire weights vary by MFG and model. You are probably looking at a 26-27lb or so tire and wheel assembly. A stock wheel bare weights about that much.

Shorter profiles behave differently (worse) on a dragstrip than a slalom course (better) so you have that to consider as well. I know I'm not going over 18 inches for sure.