MY 95 WRX on 18's??
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I am hearing various stories about whether or not 18 inch rims will go on my MY95 WRX. The car currently has 16 inch rims with 205/50's with no apparent clearence probs.
My rolling radius calcs suggest that 18's with 215/40's are only 8.5mm bigger, and if I could find the money for 215/35's the rolling radius would actually be 2.25mm smaller than the current 16's.
What the above does ingnore though is possible width problems (8 inch) and any offset issues.
Has anybody got any experience with 18's? I would very much appreciate any comments as I am dying to get a set of new rims.
Thanks
Did
P.S Recommendations of any good wheel retailers would also be gratefully received- Cheers
My rolling radius calcs suggest that 18's with 215/40's are only 8.5mm bigger, and if I could find the money for 215/35's the rolling radius would actually be 2.25mm smaller than the current 16's.
What the above does ingnore though is possible width problems (8 inch) and any offset issues.
Has anybody got any experience with 18's? I would very much appreciate any comments as I am dying to get a set of new rims.
Thanks
Did
P.S Recommendations of any good wheel retailers would also be gratefully received- Cheers
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I've yet to see a set of 18s on a WRX but I believe that it is possible... seen a set of 18s [OZ Super T] on a 22B though.... very nice :-)
I've checked your calcs.... I get 8.9mm difference in rolling radius. But the important thing is the percentage difference.... you're almost 3% oversize. It *might* work. But it's not ideal.
It's worth noting that different tyres of the same "size" have different rolling lengths; check with the manufacturer's specs to be sure.
215/35ZR18 would be 1.85mm undersize according to my calcs, or 0.6% smaller... much better! But again, check the true rolling length.
The Subaru spec for the offset is, IIRC, 55mm and that's a royal pain in the *&%& to get hold of. Of course, if your rim width increases you may need to compensate by reducing the offset (to prevent scrubbing on the struts). Best option is to try some... try a big wheel dealer with lots of stock or one that really knows his stuff.
My 17" Speedlines are marked 55mm offset, and IIRC they are 8in (I'de have to check to be sure...). To say that it's close to the strut would be an understatement. So any wider and you'll definitely want a smaller offset, but watch those arches!
Other problems you're likely to encounter are a higher unsprung mass (more alloy), extremely hard ride (small stiff sidewall), easily damaged rims (not a lot of rubber to protect them...).
On the whole, 18s are probably too large for use on "normal" roads (although they'de probably be awesome on a track :-) [the 22B has the advantage of wider arches allowing wider rims, and thereby also higher sidewalls with the same profile]
As for good wheel retailers... if you're after a place that has shedloads of stock, try Elite.
Personally I can thoroughly recommend Wheelspin in Edinburgh. Speak to Alan. He may not have the wheels in stock. He may not be in your area of the country.... none of that matters! When I wanted to fit a set of 10x17 rims to an MR2, I called Alan. Later that day the wheels were in an outfit in *London* for me to "try", even though OZ insisted they wouldn't fit. Fortunately for me, my calcs were right, they did go, with about half a mil to spare. Not every dealer would go to that length, especially without certainty of a sale! [FWIW, Alan agreed with me that they should go on... he knows his stuff! :-)]
Cheers,
Pat.
I've checked your calcs.... I get 8.9mm difference in rolling radius. But the important thing is the percentage difference.... you're almost 3% oversize. It *might* work. But it's not ideal.
It's worth noting that different tyres of the same "size" have different rolling lengths; check with the manufacturer's specs to be sure.
215/35ZR18 would be 1.85mm undersize according to my calcs, or 0.6% smaller... much better! But again, check the true rolling length.
The Subaru spec for the offset is, IIRC, 55mm and that's a royal pain in the *&%& to get hold of. Of course, if your rim width increases you may need to compensate by reducing the offset (to prevent scrubbing on the struts). Best option is to try some... try a big wheel dealer with lots of stock or one that really knows his stuff.
My 17" Speedlines are marked 55mm offset, and IIRC they are 8in (I'de have to check to be sure...). To say that it's close to the strut would be an understatement. So any wider and you'll definitely want a smaller offset, but watch those arches!
Other problems you're likely to encounter are a higher unsprung mass (more alloy), extremely hard ride (small stiff sidewall), easily damaged rims (not a lot of rubber to protect them...).
On the whole, 18s are probably too large for use on "normal" roads (although they'de probably be awesome on a track :-) [the 22B has the advantage of wider arches allowing wider rims, and thereby also higher sidewalls with the same profile]
As for good wheel retailers... if you're after a place that has shedloads of stock, try Elite.
Personally I can thoroughly recommend Wheelspin in Edinburgh. Speak to Alan. He may not have the wheels in stock. He may not be in your area of the country.... none of that matters! When I wanted to fit a set of 10x17 rims to an MR2, I called Alan. Later that day the wheels were in an outfit in *London* for me to "try", even though OZ insisted they wouldn't fit. Fortunately for me, my calcs were right, they did go, with about half a mil to spare. Not every dealer would go to that length, especially without certainty of a sale! [FWIW, Alan agreed with me that they should go on... he knows his stuff! :-)]
Cheers,
Pat.
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Howdy...
Several WRX and UK owners have fitted 18"'s....and a few have complained.... they arent suitable for everyday use...to hard (side walls to small), damage to rims (even the best and most careful owners catch things), aqua-plaining (due to the width)
I know cosmetically they look great, but personally I would fit 17"'s and improve the suspension.
I looked at 18"'s...but decided to go for 17"s....
cheers,
J.
Several WRX and UK owners have fitted 18"'s....and a few have complained.... they arent suitable for everyday use...to hard (side walls to small), damage to rims (even the best and most careful owners catch things), aqua-plaining (due to the width)
I know cosmetically they look great, but personally I would fit 17"'s and improve the suspension.
I looked at 18"'s...but decided to go for 17"s....
cheers,
J.
Yes,
I've heard of quite a few people who fitted 18 inch wheels, inly to have them up for sale a few weeks later. I think the only tyres you can get in a close enough size is a 225/35 ZR 18 - I'm not sure anyone makes tyres in the sizes you suggest.
Because of the extra width of the tyres, you will need to get a wheel with a smaller offset to prevent fouling the rear shocks, however, you may need to modify the rear arches to prevent the tyres rubbing under heavy loads or heavy cornering. Alternatively, you can modify the suspension (ie make it very hard!!).
This means the car will have a very firm ride, suffer from tramlining, and have interesting handling on less than perfect road surfaces.
They do look very nice, but the general concencus is that they are more hassle (and expense) than they are worth, and that a 17 inch wheel gives the best balance between looks, handling, steering feedback and costs.
There are a few very happy owners out there with 18 inch wheels though, so I would suggest getting a test drive of a car with some fitted before shelling out a considerable amount of cash on something you may regret!
I've heard of quite a few people who fitted 18 inch wheels, inly to have them up for sale a few weeks later. I think the only tyres you can get in a close enough size is a 225/35 ZR 18 - I'm not sure anyone makes tyres in the sizes you suggest.
Because of the extra width of the tyres, you will need to get a wheel with a smaller offset to prevent fouling the rear shocks, however, you may need to modify the rear arches to prevent the tyres rubbing under heavy loads or heavy cornering. Alternatively, you can modify the suspension (ie make it very hard!!).
This means the car will have a very firm ride, suffer from tramlining, and have interesting handling on less than perfect road surfaces.
They do look very nice, but the general concencus is that they are more hassle (and expense) than they are worth, and that a 17 inch wheel gives the best balance between looks, handling, steering feedback and costs.
There are a few very happy owners out there with 18 inch wheels though, so I would suggest getting a test drive of a car with some fitted before shelling out a considerable amount of cash on something you may regret!
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