Mixman

I bought my 19" wheels and tires a few weeks ago. All of a sudden I have a bent rim in one of my 19"'s. I have never bent a rim before, but then again I have never been on 35 series tires. Keep in mind I live in NYC and potholes are all over and it's sometimes hard to avoid them all.

I am thinking of selling my Privat Netz wheels and tires and going down to 18" wheels. I know some of you will say get some great forged wheels and they probably won't bend. Well....I have a baby coming so I don't have the 3 or 4k for forged wheels.

My max to spend is $1,500. Should I try another set of 19" rims that are stronger or should I just go down to 18" rims for my pothole filled city or should I just give it a while longer with my current wheels and see how it goes ?

Mixman

should I try 18"'s or just keep the 19"'s ?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

1500 is not a lot of money at all, especially if you wanna get new i don't think you can get quality strong wheels. maybe you should look at the classified and see if there are good 18s used? they will allow you to have more tire sidewalls as well

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

You can bend 18's as easily as you bend 19's here so might as well stay with the look you want and practice driving differently. I've seen stock 16's bent as well. No real way to avoid the potholes. Stay with your 19's and go with a fat setup and amp up that PSI to 40-42 and it will help.

Mixman

Yeah, I after the bend I just upped my PSI to 40 from 36. Hopefully that will help. I do prefer the look of 19"'s, hell I really like the look of 20's but I know better as far as how long those will last on the FDR.

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

The PSI is probably the most important factor over anything else. It will be a rougher ride but I'll take a rougher ride and a straight rim over a cushy wheel wobble any day.

Mixman

Yeah I learned the PSI thing too late.....$80 later.

I don't know how the Lexus guys with the 20's do it in NYC. You must be driving really slow over some of these streets. Either that or keeping your rim repair guy on a monthy retainer !

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

They are rolling the fenders or cutting the lining. Either way not something I'd be interested in doing for 1 more inch of rim. What part of NYC are you in, there's a shop in Qns on 230st and Linden Blvd that does repairs for less than $80....

GSoup

you should definitely go fat setup.... up your tire size to 245/40/19.

Mixman

Wouldn't that throw off my speedometer ? Seeing as I have a AWD would that mess with the computer ?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

it won't matter. as long as you have the same overall diameter front and back that's what counts. i think the fat setup is a good idea

and for 20s, just be careful i guess? not all 20s requre shaving and rolling fenders

Mixman

I think 20" look great but man.....you really have to alter your driving style with those. I'll see how long before I get the next bent rim on my 19"'s.

D2-AUTOSPORT

I agree 100% its the driving style, I had a aunt that bent and cracked OEM 15's with 65 series tires in NY so...... lol

I drive on the beautiful FDR all the time but you have to go slow (middle lane) then after you get below houston watch out for the manhole dips

foshizzle

I had 19"s on my Acura TL and bent some rims like 5 times. I jus get it fixed all the time. Stick wit the 19"s. Dont go any smaller. Jus drive better, and learn the roads. Here in Hawaii, we have potholes everywhere. Im planning on 20"s.

Mixman

Hopefully I won't have to fix my rims 5 times.