Hi,

As subject really. Why do Prodrive recommend 18" wheels with PPP (as in their brochure)? Picking up a WRX this weekend, with PPP to be fitted after 1000 mile service, and am very interested in a set of 18" Prodrive wheels for it.

Anyone know the real technical reason for it?

Thanks.

 

They improve the pockets of Prodrive

I think it is because of the lower profile tyres give it a better ride as there is lese tyre wall so less tyre roll when cornering (I hope I'm not talking b#llocks).

 

I certainly get a harsher ride with my 18" then my 17" - i.e. I feel the bumps more, so if you have stiff suspension be prepared for it! - don't know about the cornering stuff though

 

On MY95, i dont feel the bumps. it still feels like 17s. But cornering, the 18s handle much better

 

Thanks for the technical replies guys :-)

Just one more for those who have 18s fitted. Does the car still look like it's been scared by a mouse and is making itself tall to try and scare it? Or does that huge 'tractor' gap lessen at all?

Thanks
Steve.

 

lol. The gap is smaller on mine cause ive got 225/40s. Wouldnt lower it though as would ruin my ride.

People normally got for 215/35s and then lower it using eibach

 

M40CHM I have WRX03 with PPP PPf7 18 inch wheels and quickshift fitted, standard wheels and tyres were cnanged at 1500 miles for the new wheel and tyre package. The most noticible difference is in the ride of the car because of the lower profile of the 18`s you tend to feel the road more through the steering wheel which can be both a good and bad thing with the state of our roads!
Handling wise it is like a limpit in wet and dry conditions I have tried to get it to brake traction but it wont so I think the main reason that prodrive recommend this upgrade is to deal with the extra torque that the PPP brings to the party,Looks wise the 18`s fill the wheels archs better and from front and back the car loses that skiny under tyred look. Downsides are the standard brakes look way to small and puny sat under 18`s and their operation leads a lot to be desired,I have sorted this with a 335 God speed kit on the front which are and look the dogs and finaly it still all looks like its up on stilts until Prodrive bring a spring kit out to lower it back down.

Hope this helps

Regards

John

 

Thanks guys. Exactly what I was looking for :-)

I have a WRX03 in black with Anthracite wheels arriving this Saturday (if the delivery happens this time!), PPP at first service, 18's (anthracite again if Prodrive ever get any more stock!) plus lots of other wallet emptying extras. I'm also waiting for Prodrive to release their lowering springs. Hope they hurry up !!!

No sense = no money but lots of fun ;-)

Thanks
Steve

 

m40chm

The reasoning behind recommending fitment of 18" wheels and tyres to cars fitted with the Performance Package is in order to maintain the balance between torque and traction. There are other benifits in handling with the cars being less twitchy in the wet with big improvements in the progression between grip and sliding. If you ever driven a PPP STi in the wet on std tyres you will know why this could do with some improvement!!

Which wheels are you waiting for?

Mike

 

Mike Wood very nice to here from you can you please give us an update on the WRX 03 spring kits when they mint be available from the dealers.

Regards

John

 

Final testing is happening at the moment so it's difficult to give an accurate lead time until they are signed off. A guesstimate would be 6-8 weeks.

Mike

 

Mike,

Thanks for the reply and the explanation. Maybe that should go on your website as you might sell more 18s !

Anyway, Westaway say they can only find two Anthracite 18s for the WRX (SACC2514) and I obviously need four for the new car. There is also a two week wait on front strut braces and no stock at all of rears.

This isn't so much of a problem as they've been promising me delivery of the car for over two weeks (after selling the one I put a deposit on from under me to someone else!) and still can't seem to find the right transporter with it on. I was meant to get a call yesterday to say it was there, as promised, but as of 6pm today, still nothing.

Seriously thinking about taking the cash in the bank elsewhere at this rate!

Yours
With cash and no Scooby,
Steve.

 

Hi,

I take it all back, it's here and I'm picking it up tomorrow !

Whoo Hoo,

Mike, anything you can do to help Westaway get those 18s I want would be appreciated. Cheers.

Steve
NXG
(aka m40chm, steve_atreides)

 

Update:

Ordered just the wheels (no tyres) and am getting the tyres from Tyres Northampton (top place).

Happy puppy now ....