17" or 18" wheels

[adriancole]

So question,

What are peoples opinions on 17" or 18" wheels?

Which looks the best and which is more practical?

Comments please...

thanks

adrian

[fraz13]

Practicality goes to 17" as there cheaper to replace and cheaper for tyres and comfort is better as theres usually a bit more rubber

Looks go to 18" (depending on rim) as they fill the arches better

[BlackBeast]

As to the looks, it all depends on the wheel, for example a 17" Pegasus alloy imo doesnt look as good as an 18" version. Due to the flat spokes, the 18" seems to fill the arches a little more which in turn looks better. All in my opinion of course.

On the practicality issue, 17" definately. With 18"s you will get slight rubbing on full lock with a 225/40 tyre, from a previous thread yesterday i think, a 225/35 tyre doesnt rub at all. But then with the 35 width tyre, you have to be careful of potholes, so practicality takes a slight knock

[Straker]

I'm with Fraz. 17" are cheaper to source and the tyres are generally cheaper as well. You also need to consider ride. If you are going to use your car every day reducing the rubber seriously increases the loads in the body and reduces your comfort. Working for Ford and testing cars I know, good exapmle is the focus RS because of the fancy wheel and 18" rims it simply couldn't go over some of the events that the standard cars with 15 and 16" rims could. My 850 is on 17" with 225 wisth tyres (as opposed to std 205).

Retained some of the comfort but much more grip

[Baj]

Fraz has it on the button.

[elliot]

I would go for 17's the ride and handling will suffer with 18 inches the suspension just does'nt have enough wheel control even with uprated dampers it will struggle and the ride will be firm,especially if you go for pegs as the weight as much as a small car each!!As for what looks better i personally dont like pegs in 17 or 18.Volans are the best but i am biased they still weight alot to.I think somthing like ATS comp lites in 17 would be great 6.5 kg each and pretty cheap and look nice,wolfrace now import them.Depends what you use the car for really.

[BlackBeast]

especially if you go for pegs as the weight as much as a small car each!!

LMAO So true

[adriancole]

Ok, thanks for all the info, looks like i am in the market for some nice 17" alloys then.......will put up a wanted along with all the others who want wheels!!

What are pegs anyway?

many thanks

adrian

[TangoDeltaSierra3]

Get some 19s, 17s are for girls!

[Baj]

Get some 19s, 17s are for girls!

According To TCs front bumper thread the purple one pictured now has 20s on. The mind boggles as to how much work that needed

[elliot]

....and to how bad the ride must be!

[barberecpw]

If you have coilovers OR uprated dampers AND springs (and strut brace bushes etc) then 18"

If you just going for looks then 18"

If you are wanting good cost relations then 17"

If you are wanting better handling on a track with no modifycations on the suspension then 17" (BIGGER RIMS ON STANDARD SUSPENSION ESP ON OUR VOLVO`S FWD, WILL CAUSE UNDERSTEAR AND LESS STABILITY ON THE TRACK)


ed

[Straker]

....and to how bad the ride must be!

What ride

Fair play though fitting 20"

[Andy]

pegs = Volvo Pegasus alloys

[adriancole]

Excellent, fit 19" and make my own slicks from the rubbing on the bodywork on my standared suspension V70...though i bet they look good if i fancy driving in straight lines everywhere...

18" to look good, though watch out for potholes and get an air cusion for my arse and back

17" great for racing, great for ride, though they dont fill the wheel arches, and are cheaper to get tyres for.....

Great info guys, think I will try and get me some 17" for starters adn work up from there...tis for an everyday driver, so have to be a little sensible until i can afford a second car....then i can progress lower fatter, bigger and wider.....

cheers

adrian

ps anyone got any spare 17" for sale??

[fireclown]

hi ive got 18s on mine. with bilstein sports shock. poly bushes and strut brace. and tbh the ride isnt that bad. nowere near as bad as id thought it would be. lost quite a bit of acceleratin with the bigger wheels though. all it did on 16s was spin em up. good fun.