After driving my new (2001) WRX around the mountain tracks of East Sussex that are supposed to pass as roads, I'm wondering if the 18" wheels are not doing the ride comfort any favours and that i maybe should swop to 17's with a higher profile tyre.

I have spent a small fortune on other cars in the past changing wheels and tyre combos and it's only made a small difference in ride comfort at the end of the day.

Save my money and leave well alone or switch to 17's? I see some cars even run 16's.

cheers.

 

What suspension mods have you got?

And what appears to be the main issue?

Rob

 

I have 18s on my bug and I think the ride was better on 17's. ... But I wouldn't change them :-)

 

Hi Rob. No suspension mods, no real issues apart from a slightly jarring ride over uneven road surfaces. My other car is a Merc Estate so maybe I'm used to driving that and shouldn't complain.

 

Merc estate vs impreza in ride quality, only going to be one winner there lol

 

[QUOTE=kdh;11357571]Hi Rob. No suspension mods, no real issues apart from a slightly jarring ride over uneven road surfaces.

Same as mine , stops you falling asleep at the wheel.

 

I upgraded my RB5 and 2006 STi to 18s and the ride was better/more comfortable than on 17s. Which was the opposite of what i was expecting.

 

If you do replace the wheels kim you will need sti fitment ones to clear the brembo's.

Im not sure if the standard newage sti wheel is 17"

 

As some one said to me "18's for show 17's for go" that said I have 18's on my blob wagon and like the slightly firmer feel and handling characteristics that you get from smaller profile and firmer sidewalls, but I also have my geometry set to be slightly tail happy. For me it's a better way to go on standard suspension than fitting coilovers, though I think I have non standard springs as the ride is firmer than my previous blob, which was a saloon so maybe that has something to do with it.

A lot depends on the tyres themselves and the stiffness of the sidewall too.

 

Stick with 17's better ride,less chance of damaging tyres with potholes & they are cheaper.

Andy.

 

Too right - plus you get better choice.
With all the money you are saving, I would strongly recommend a set of Yokohama AD08rs

 

Yup, 7.5x17 on early STis and 8x17 on widetrack The brakes only just fit though!!

OP if you do go for 17s and they're not Subaru wheels I'd suggest talking to someone like M444GY who will know what does and doesn't for over Brembos!

 

Thanks all (and Dan. Sorry for all the questions).

So what's the point of 18" wheels at all then?

Purely for looks?

 

Some big brakes only fit under 18s.

 

they are standard sti brembos

 

I had 17's and 18's (uk classic) and much prefered the firmer ride on the 18's. I felt I had more feedback.
I wouldn't think twice about 18's again!

 

Prodrive actually advise changing to 18"s when the PPP is fitted to a newage to make the most of the extra bhp/torque.
From experience the 17"s are more comfortable and the 18"s a little harsher but with more feedback, plus they do seem to suit a newage better than 17"s imho.

Siv

 

17's for a classic, 18's OK for newage.

 

As others have touched on it is very dependent on what wheel/tyre package your comparing, a quality lightweight 18" wheel matched to a good tyre with some give in the sidewall may provide a decent ride or as good as some 17's, and could be why some experience an improvement when switching to 18s, but of course a heavy 18" wheel compared to a light 17" with the right tyre would be a noticeable difference. The width of the wheel will also play a factor.

 

Yes good point. On another car I owned the ride was bad and I blamed the larger wheels and it ended up being a Geo problem.

It's never going to ride like a Merc and for a car with 18" wheels I think it's pretty good. It's just that the roads are becoming so bad.

 

what tyres are you running and at what pressure?

 

Can you help out please Fudgey?

 

michalin pilot sport on the front with 32psi
rear i never wore out to change - some chinese ****e a previous owner fitted, sunful i think?
again 32psi

all 225/40/18

 

The Michelins on the front are dated 2002 and the Chinese horrors on the back 2003, so definitely time for a change.

Can anyone recommend an 18" tyre with a nice amount of 'give' in the sidewall please? (I can't afford the Yokahamas at £163 each.)