mmason

Can anyone tell me the benifits of changing the wheels of my new STI type R VI from sixteens to seventeens. This would be for Welsh country roads and also the south downs.

pwebb

highly subjective oppinion but...

17" look nicer to some people

17" have more space behind for big brake upgrades

that's about it - some folks reckon that handling is improved but I reckon this is just 'cause they have changed from old worn S01 bridgestones onto something a bit newer/grippier ;-)

struts and springs on sti are tuned for 16" wheel and associated height of tyre sidewall - thus you will have a harsher (still) ride on 17" and tyres will cost more.

I can think of better ways to spend circa £1k

Paul W (sti 5, still on 16")

gregh

I heard from someone at Prodrive that 17" wheels are the best upgrade you can do for handling improvements.

Greg

Sith

Ahhh, yes, but thats on UK models. Does that apply to Imports.

P.

BillyHeadcase

Not sure its actually worth it for uk roads. 16" provide enormous feedback at the limit through the 'scrabbling' feeling you get, this is because there is more flex in the tyre wall. I've just fitted 18" to mine and I have to say it certainly turns quicker and has a higher level of grip (wider tyres) but the feedback although still there is far more refined. I've always found my car a bit vague on turning in when really going for it and these wheels have done it no favours in that respect, although you do learn to drive around the problem and chuck it in on a leap of faith cos it will grip.

mmason

Looks like Y'all saying stick to 16". I think I'll pay for some driving course instead, like "The wetter the better".
Why does the P1 have 17" I thought they were modified STIs, is that just for looks ??

PS my windscreen wipers are crap over 100mph

ptholt

Just to add my tuppence into the equation, i recently put 17"s on my sti type 5 and have found the following.


pros :-
Looks the dogs
turns in sharper and handles better (I had brand new toyo's on my 16"s so it isn't just getting new rubber thats made it feel that way, it genuinely feels more planted. probably cos of the wider tyre i assume)

cons :-
tramlines like a bugger on roads that have large grooves created by trucks etc.
ride quality has been compromised, tho the lowered sti springs probably dont help this, and the fact there is less between the road and the car now.

Overall i prefer it with the 17"'s on, it doesnt feel like its going to 'wash out' when pushing it like it did with 16"s

sunilp

I went from 16s to 17s to 18s on a UK car, whilst i find the 18s tramline a tad more than the others (didnt really notice much tramlining with 17s as i had the proper P Zero profile), overall the car feels a lot more sure footed at speed and when cornering. Low speed is a little more jittery but never uncomfortable. The grip is not just because i have new rubber on them, i think it is helped by that fact that the rim is 7.5J and not 7J.

Sunil

[This message has been edited by sunilp (edited 08 November 2000).]

BillyHeadcase

Yeah as long as you get a wheel with the right offset, your laffin.

mattski

I heard the thing about wheels being
the best upgrade too. I have never driven
a scooby on 16's but the move from 15's to
17's was phenominal. Massively improved grip, the car just feels even more solid.

I happen to think they look better too...

and yes I know the 15s are an inch smaller than the 16s but whats an inch between friends ;o)

mmason

so if I was to change to 17" on my STI type R I guess the suspension would have to be changed. should I keep my old 16" in the event of....uhmm....driving in the snow. I excpect 16" are better for the rally circits ??

phil_ng

I have stiV Type R and changed from 16 to 17 to accomodate big brakes. Found turn in much sharper especially on track and have no tramlining at all! Important to have geometry set up properly as my car seems to go off considerably especially after track use. Toyos have been good but now switching to Bridgestone SO2 Pole Positions.

mmason

Phil did you find the STI breaks a problem, what wheels did you get and who did the setup.

sunilp

Billy you muppet, i have always had the wheels with the right offset for each size so whats the point of your statement you turnip?

ric

Why don't you try 225-45-16 ???
Enourmous grip and look good!

mmason

So is there a specialist where I can get the setup and new wheels who really knows their stuff, or should I go back to John Hendry's.