17x8s or 18x8s, whats best for ride quality Options

[lagos]

im looking into getting new rims and tires and im as little torn on what i should get. my goals are to get an 8in wide rim with a 35 offset, and get the best ride quality out of the tires i put on them.

my original plan was to get a set 17x8s with 225-45-17 tires. during my shopping around, i noticed that the selection for 17x8s was low and that most of the rims i find cost more then i want to spend.

i started looking around at 18x8s. they seem to look almost perfect for our cars. i figure i can fit a 225-40-18 tire and still get good ride quality.

my current setup is 17x7s with 205-40-17 tires. im kind of sick of the less then stock ride quailty evertime i hit a small bump in the road.

so basically my question is.... how much better would the car ride with 225-45-17 vs 225-40-18s? would i have to worry about rubbing issues if i get those tires on 18s? anyone have that same setup and want to give their opinions?

This post has been edited by lagos: Feb 1, 2005 - 10:10 PM

[jgreening]

The biggest difference in ride quality is going to be the size of the sidewall and the tire stiffness. Here are the sidewall sizes:

205/40/17 - 3.2"
225/45/17 - 4.0"
225/40/18 - 3.5"

The larger the sidewall, the more comfortable it will be and the less likely you will be to bend your rim on a pot hole or bump. I have 215/45/17 and my ride quality is very good. The side wall for my tires is 3.8" The other consideration when choosing rim and tire sizes is gearing issues if the overall tire diameter varies much from stock. All of those choices are slightly bigger than stock and would not vary the gearing noticably from what you have now IMO - especially with the 3s.

Bottom line - 18's look a little better and the 17's will ride a little better with the same type of tires.

HTH.

- Jay.

[Mr_E]

I'm switching to 18x8s running 225x40's.

And I'm worried about the ride. The car is stiff as hell to start with,

17x8's are rare though. 17x7.5s might do the job?

[Supersprynt]

I have 18x7.5's with 35mm sidewall - I dont recommend it.

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

With 18's you'd have to worry a lot about pot holes, tire costs, added wieght. I'd go with the 17's. Unless this is going to be a show car, 17's I think would be your best bet. Your call though.

[Mr_E]

With 18's you'd have to worry a lot about pot holes, tire costs, added wieght.  I'd go with the 17's.  Unless this is going to be a show car, 17's I think would be your best bet.  Your call though.
[right][snapback]241159[/snapback][/right]

I've gone 18"s on a car that's setup for fast tarmac and track work. No additional mass. Wheels and stronger, and I have less sidewall flex. And marginally better brake cooling I guess.

It may well be a mistake. It may well ride like a bunch of arse. I'll let you know.

[Dacoolguychris]

in my opinion if you're going for 17's or 18's you're going to be sacrificing ride quality all together.. so just go with what you think looks best.. 18" wheels with 40 low profile tires would look best.. but yeah becareful not to hit too many potholes and stuff.. I'm going 18" well because i think it would be a waste to cut myself short and stay with 17" rims..

just my opinion
-Chris

P.S. my opinion may be biased because i'm going to get 18" rims

[Supersprynt]

My rims about 21lbs a piece.

[Jdog1385]

i have 18's with a 35mm sidewall. not the worst ride but the wheels take a beating. going for 40mm sidewalls when the 35's wear out

[Mr_E]

Ah - well that's that idea scuppered then.....

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=21075

[Newbie]

I wouldn't recommend anything below 45.. Otherwise you'll be sacrificing a lot of ride quality ...

[bufferdan]

Just put some 225/45's on your 17in wheels you have now... 18in wheels with lower profile tires are just going to ride even harder.

225/45 on 7in wide rims are fine. I have them on the rear of my mr2

[bufferdan]

If your still lowered with eibach sportlines i think it would would rub with 225/45/17 or even 225/40/18's....why dont you switch to eibach prokit and get a stock like ride and put some bigger tires on.

I think you biggest problem in ride quality is those sportlines..those are pretty stiff rough springs. They say the prokits ride nice but the drop is very small.

This post has been edited by bufferdan: Feb 8, 2005 - 9:56 AM

[lagos]

If your still lowered with eibach sportlines i think it would would rub with 225/45/17 or even 225/40/18's....why dont you switch to eibach prokit and get a stock like ride and put some bigger tires on.

I think you biggest problem in ride quality is those sportlines..those are pretty stiff rough springs.  They say the prokits ride nice but the drop is very small.
[right][snapback]243376[/snapback][/right]

thanks for the pic and the tips. im going to look into the prokit after i do the tires.

[Jdog1385]

i put the prokit in my car, couldnt even tell the difference. didnt drop the car at all. try the H&Rs if you looking for a moderate drop. 1.3" lowered, but its less than that.

[Drocay]

sorry kinda off topic, but will 235x45x18 fit.

[bufferdan]

235/45/18 would be BIG...i doubt it would.... 235 in the front is just too big on the celica.... 235/35/18 might clear the front strut perch's but it would be close.

[Mr_E]

I think I've decided.

Going 18x8 225/40R18

[FORGMANN]

great choice ..

fensport told me best size for a GT4 is 225 width

all there cars run no bigger than that but most of them are 17"s

i am also looking for 18x8s w/ 225/40r18 mainly since my forgmann side skirts make wheel opening even bigger and looks dumb with stock 3 spoke 16"s ..

[Hanyo]

what is the tallest tire wall you can have with 17's?

But then again would it look good with such high tire wall?

[Mr_E]

To keep the rolling radius on mine, 235/40R17's are about right.

I've gone 225/40R18 - they're about 2% longer....