finalzero

As per the title, I am thinking about getting 18's fitted to my new car (STi 6) but wondered if it's a good idea or I will spoil the handling?

The car has coilovers as well so I can lower/raise the ride height if required.. however wanted to know what others experienced? Has anyone gone from 18's down to 17" rims to improve handling etc?

Cheers,

Fz

wraggy78

When I brought mine my99 its had 18" wheels on.
It was causing excess stress on the rear diff. I have since dropped down to 17" and touch wood I have had no problems with it at all and my god the handling is 100% better imho...,
Hope this helps

badgerface123

i was running 18" looked the dogs but i felt they tramlined alittle and the ride is definately better now with 17" but i drive alot of B roads

dazdavies

iTrader: (22)

Everytime I read this subject people complain about 18's an say not to do them.

What utter tosh.

I have a UK MY1999 with standard UK suspension and I run 18 inch Ultralite Atech with 215 35 18 Hankook ventus sports. I Originally tried Toyo T1S but I've found the Hankook to be a better gripping and better lasting tyre than the toyo.

I can tell you now beyond doubt that you'll be fine on 18's

Ps my car runs somewhere between 450-500 bhp. The stress on the rear diff from 18's is just utter garbage. My rear diff is standard UK item.
My car has done over 40k miles on 18's at varying power levels from 220bhp right up to where I am now.

I've had no problems with bad handling, tyre grinding or running out of clearance.

Tried and tested so if you want 18's have them

I hope that helps.

Daz

wraggy78

Not saying its the 18"s as such this was just my experience, The profile was 45 which was the problem and the rear diff problem was due to this. Maybe if they had 35 profile as yours does then it might of been okay.
But mine didnt and this was what I had happening.
Just putting my experience across........

finalzero

I will try out the 17" that come with the car and see how I fair. I am picking up some cheapish PF7 alloys from a friend so I might try those at some point to get an idea of how 18" feel.

I hit a lot of winding country lanes in the evening when I want a blast so ideally want the car to handle at it's best.

P1 NUT

iTrader: (1)

I run my P1 with Tein super street coilovers and origional PFF7's with 225/35/18 tyres with the prodrive geometry and it is the best handling car i've owned and so far driven. No problems with clearance etc. Granted, on more uneven roads it tends to want to tram line a bit but nothing worth writing home about.

18's all the way unless you want a really comfy ride.