Soulgirl

Sti2 currently with 16's. I need new wheels but don't really know where to start.

Of course I would like 18's but can I ask advice on pro's and con's of 17's vs 18's in respect of cost for tyres.

Where is a good place to buy wheels?
What exactly do I ask for size wise?

Look forward to 'non muppet' answers,

Thank you

trails

iTrader: (41)

Personal preference for me is 17's mine (MY00), had 18's when I bought it and it suffered from major tramlineing under heavy braking, harsh ride quality and made parallel parking a nightmare I also just got new 215x40x17 Toyos for £68 each...best bet is to have a drive of a couple of similar cars with diff size wheels and see what YOU think...good luck!

Best bet

surfer boy

18" tyres are well expensive. I guess that is ok if you like cruising the highstreet but no good if you enjoy driving the twisties quickly. (and 17" tyres are cheaper than 16s so it's all good news!!!)

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Post an ad in "Wanted" for OE Scoob wheels off a WRX from '01 or later.

They look good and can be had for a LOT less than new ones now.

I too would stick with 17" for the reasons given, my '98 car runs on 17" graphite Scoob wheels with Toyo T1R tyres in 215/40 17"

Alcazar
BTW: pic below with silver wheels that it used to have until last July, still OE Scoob 17's, ex WRX, 01

Soulgirl

17's it is then Thanks guys.

So, where is a good place to buy wheels? Will I have to state which offset I require (presumably they will know better than I)?

I'm probably looking to spend around £800 including tyres.

They are nice ones Alcazar

markwild

Why not 18s for twisties ?

Elmer Fudpucker

How about these

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=366801

but my advice would be to keep an eye out in the for sale section,as 17's frequently appear very reasonably priced on there

Comper100

All the WRC cars do tarmac stages on 18's. Mind you there rallie cars not road cars so perhaps that was just silly

Comper100

Soulgirl

I saw those, and they are 18's. I really like the bling bling Areili (sp) ones LOL but can't really afford them... I don't particularly want 2nd hand ones - if they are going to be curbed I would like to think it was me that curbed them

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

i've run 16's, 17's and now 18's on the scoob and without a doubt the best option is the 18's.

really massive grip in the dry, but TBH they seem to let go a bit quicker in the wet. hopefully F1's will cure this

tyre prices- 17's about £100, 18's about £140.

i've got a 17" spare in the same style as the 18's on the car, and side by side the 18's dwarf the 17's.

gotta be the 18's i'm afraid.

Soulgirl

If I chose 18's would I need my suspension altered? I'm guessing but I think my suspension is probably factory standard. We have a lot of humps around Bournemouth and Poole so I don't really want to lower my car any more than the clearance I have at present... ???

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

TBH as soon as you change from the std 16's you're gonna have a noticeable gap. my car was lowered 35mm when i had the 16's on, so i can't really say if there was a difference in amount of gap between the 17's and 18's.

Soulgirl

What? More gap with 17's than with 16's? I knew I was crap at Math but.... surely the 17 fits the gap tighter than 16?

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

nah, theoritcaly(?) the gap should be the same, as you keep the same rolling radius of the wheel, but it may be the tyre profile that makes it look different?

tell you what, i'll post up a pic tommorow of the 18 on the car and the 17 aswell, should give you an idea of what it'll look like

Soulgirl

Ok thanks.

I must say - I am totally drawn to the Arelli range - must be the bling in me... I quite like these



Cost about £1400 - not a bargain buy but would look fab with the new pain job I have in mind

[bear in mind... I am a GIRL!]

RON

Karen,
Stick with 17's, anything bigger just gets silly!

see ya Monday?????

Soulgirl

Thanks Ron.... yes, probably see you Monday if you can bear my company

RON

Bear it?? I look forward to it, you should know that!!

Soulgirl

Thank god I'm thick skinned

trails

iTrader: (41)

17's...no need to go any larger...

markwild

The 18s with 215/35x18s on are around 6mm rolling diameter less than the std wheels, but 225/35x18s are around 6 larger. This 6mm is almost nothing when taken in the radius, not circumference.

I think most people imagine that larger wheels make the outer diameter of the tyre/wheel assembly bigger, but it doesn't (unless you're running the wrong tyres !) - this would play havoc with gearing and the speedo !!

Mines running Eibach Pro springs, so is slightly lower, and I have no problems with the 215s - I've not run 225s but will as soon as I need to replace a full tyre set together, to get F1s on it again. (Goodyear don't do F1s in 215)

Anyhow, I'd agree with the 'gap looking larger' scenerio - the lack of tyre wall seems to exaggerate the gap - I guess its larger in proportion to the wall, so looks different....

Hope this helps,

Mark

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

18"

17"

little and large



little piccy of mt car with the 18's

hope this helps you to decide (go for the 18's though)

mark, you should have no worries with the 225's, my car seems the same setup as yours and i've had 4 up and a bootfull of golf gear and no rubbing

RON

SG,
Theres a set of 01 alloys on ebay, convenientely local too!!!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...925324003&rd=1

Soulgirl

Thanks Ron but I don't really want 2nd hand... and as it seems I wear out my tires in about 8 months the 18's will probably be out of my pocket.

Think I'm going to go 17's for price

mono

Oi trails, are they 40s or 45s on your wagon?
mono

trails

iTrader: (41)

40's mate...any particular reason?

AudiMan

I have 17"'s on my Classic (Mille Miglia Evo 5's) with Toyo 215/40's, as for where from ? get some quotes from internet shops (wheelbase etc) then go and haggle with your local car shop, even Halfrauds have some good deals from time to time.

STI-R/A

I run 18's on my95 ra and have no handling issues at all. theyre bk238's in gold with toyos. Got a good deal from wheelbase £880 all in.

trails

iTrader: (41)

did u run 17's first and is this your daily drive ??

Soulgirl

Oooh, I like these!


Woolfrace Enigma - £752 package price