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.