jeremy

Is there any consenous on the Dynamics forum as to what is the most overall able (for road use-safety with speed) wheel/tire size combination.
Is it safe to say most believe that for road use, wet/mixed conditions, that 17inch wheels with 215/225 is about right?
Indeed has anyone actually ever improved the handling of their Impreza (for road driving) using *bigger* wheels tires, such as 17/235 or 18/235's?
Thanks, Jeremy

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Hi
A good question.
For road use given all conditions. 17s in my experience.
Along with tyre choice - a very personal thing
I know people with 18s that dont complain and say they are fine.
The rougher terrain 15s

For me the best compromise given the wide variety of road conditions I encounter. 17s with a eagle f1s running the correct presures.

I have also found that suspension set up is also a compromise. Not to hard or too soft. Not too low but a lowered set up helps. Not an expert in this area - a bit of an art - why Powerstation do such good business.

Hope this helps

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

The total size of the wheel and tyre should remain constant - so as not to effect gearing. Classic JDM WRX came with 15s. Hence with 17s the tyre side wall becomes smaller - but the rolling circumfernce is the same. So there will be a set tyre size for 17s on a Scoob. Anyone????

Steve

Mo

215/40/17s or 205/45/17s on a classic, any more over tyres the car IMHO

~DrEaM~

i have also been told that the Newage Handles better with 235/40/18 ???

silent running

Run my WRX on factory 16's with fat 205/50/16 tyres IIRC. Nice comfy ride but work well when you need to press on.

satilaboy

i don't have experience of scoobs but on my cupra i've run both 17's and 18's (225-40-18). You get a slightly better turn in with the 18's and they look good but that's about all i can say about them: comfort goes right out the window. The 17's however, were fine. good comfort and handling.

I reckon that if a car is designed to run a certain size wheel it's for a good reason, namely: test show that overall it gives better performance, comfort, ride quality etc. so in essence it is a compromise, as with all standard parts.

As with any mod while you get a gain of some kind you also sacrifice something else, so ride quality for looks, or solid performance for sound (stadard DV/filters v's atmos DV/induction kits).

As i say though, i don't have a scoob but i reckon the principles will be the same.

to conclude: i'd say 17's. tyres are cheaper too!

SirFozzalot

Still on 17's myself and I am looking at changing my tyres from Bridgestone RE040's to Goodyear F1's when these run down.

Prodrive recommend 18's with their PPP.

ScoobaruZXZ

Agree with this... I spoke to Prodrive about the correct wheel size and they recommended 225/40/R18's when you have the PPP fitted. Otherwise stick with 17's for the standard car.

I've got 19's on atm (previous owner added them) and I wouldn't recommend them at all, especially with 35/235 rubber!! In the dry you're fine, sticks like glue... anything else...whaaahey!

gavs scooby

ive got 18's on my classic with 215/35 yokohama tyres and its like running on elastic bands, on the plus side it looks mighty fine

monkeysan

admittedly i have a Forester..........


but i went from 215/60 16's to 215/45 17's and it's a VAST improvement in handling


when i kill these tyres gonna go up to 225/45's

silent running

Always thought the best size is 'as small as you can get away with as long as they fit over your brakes'.

aggs

Prodrive originally fitted 17 s to P1 s
They did offer 18 s for improved steering feel, but the experts thought it ruined the ride a bit, even though grip was improved.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Got 235/35/19 & std new-age STI set-up for B roads it's bump friendly on the later ! But on faster roads and for looks, the 19" set-up fills the arches nicely and Toyo's are really grippy But not as good over mid-corner bumps !

Sod the expense, Toyo R888 @ £200 each at Camskill

Dunx

knobby_2000

I currently have 18's fitted to my 98classic with 215/35 Toyo's, I brought her with them fitted but I'm not too sure if I will keep them though... the ride is ok if a little hard, cornering is excellent in the dry but in the wet the rear can step out...

I am considering replacing them with 17s but wonder if I should just keep the 18s and change the tyre size to a 40 instead of a 35 for a 'more feel' ride?

P1 FEK

iTrader: (1)

My P1 is fitted with 18's with 225/35's as they came from the dealers.

classicscoob

iTrader: (1)

I have 215/35/18, witn toyo T1R's on,yes the ride is harder but i must say turn in is better and i have not experienced any trouble in the dry or wet even when pushing on,also they look great, one downside though you do find yourself trying to miss potholes!!!

BigBez

I have 215 / 35 /18" on my 95 WRX

in the dry they are great but in wet 18's dont give me alot of confidence to push round a corner, tends to slide abit


I myself am in a dilemmer of what to drop down to from my 18's. set of 16's with a 7 inch wheel or a 17inch package


imo best for Price / performance / looks are 16" but if you want the best performance then 17" but may work better with modified suspension.

knobby_2000

Can 18s on an Impreza have a 40 depth tyre....or does it need to be 35 to keep the speedo correct...ish..?

SpikerMike

I bought a 96 wagon with 5 star 7.5 x 18" Kahn's. The tyres were 215/35/18's. Hardish ride and a bit slidey. Weighed up the cost of new tyres for the 18's against new wheels/tyres package from Midland Wheels. Bought 7 spoke 7.0 x 17" Redlines with Toyo proxes t1-s 215/40/17. Made the right choice...well happy, plus got 18" Kahn's for sale.

amahrap

i'm running 19" on a new age with 35 profile tyres, previous owner fitted. I think that i would prefer 18" if i had the choice myself just for the extra give in the side wall. Handles like a dream though wet or dry.
Speedo checked on GPS and is now absolutely bang on with this combination, i thought that it would may a difference but in fact it has just made it accurate!!

sarahscooby

i have 215/45/17 w on my classic and my partner has got 18" on his both have goodyear egal f1s on and they are good in bad weather

carnivorous

i run an 07 hawkeye with PPP. imho prodrive recommending 18s is b*llocks so they can sell you more expensive wheels with the performance pack. i have driven both and i personally think the 17s feel much nicer on the road. bear in mind that different tyres have differrent sidewall stiffness. i run BT-050As and think they are superb. to compare i have driven the same car on 17" ZZ3s (horrible and they loose their shape when you overheat them) and 18" GoodYears (felt a bit too nervous and twitchy to me). i have yet to try more tyres, but i think i'll stick with the 'stones for a while or maybe try some Pirellis as I hear they are nice and gradual when they break traction. One thing I do as I have a spare set of standard wheels and it doesn't cost a whole lot more is run winter tyres in the winter. I did it on my old scoob and the difference in cold temperatures/rain/snow is phenomenal. I do take my cars on skiing trips every year, but even so I think winter tyres should be a legal requirement like they are in some countries in Europe. You can take the p*ss with winter boots on like you wouldn't believe when it gets nice and cold and slippery out. I got pulled by the cops a few years back for going 30 round a roundabout in snow!
https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/lol1.gif
I explained the tyres and the scooby dynamics, plus the fact that I spent half my life driving on snow when I was younger. He let me off with a warning, but he looked mighty impressed that I managed a tight, snow-covered roundabout at 30!

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Agree. I know the 18s look better. But 17s always seem to be the better option. Have always been an F1 fan but may try Pirellis as others have said good things about how they break away progressively these days.
Winter tyres are a good idea. I drive in the alpine area most of the winter and they make a massive difference.

shetland-scooby

17s with 225/45/17 dunlop SP sport maxx
holds the road great!
steers very well!
comfy ride!

StickyMicky

a lot of my classic owning mates went up to 18`s and then back down to 17`s

i have 2 sets, one 16 (winter) and one 17 (summer)