dci4life

iTrader: (3)

What are some pros and cons of a staggered wheel fitment. Weighing some options on some wheels that are locally for sale that I have been looking for but are 18x9.5 +38 and 18x8.5 +? Just not sure on how they will work on my 250.

Any info is helpful.

mbeach

PRO = Staggered wheels aren't just for looks, they make a huge difference in the balance and handling of the car.

CON = Forget about proper (easy) tire rotation. You can go right to left, but not front to back. If you have directionals (which you really should), you'll need to dismount tires in order to make even the right to left switch.

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

the obvious reason is that the oem 2is 18's are staggered.

staggered wheel fitment takes advantage of the rear-wheel drive drivetrain configuration by using wider wheels to properly accomodate wider tires. because all of the power is sent to the rear wheels, it would be beneficial to have as much treadwidth in the rear for traction purposes.

in addition to the downside that mbeach has posted, the front tires simply wear differently from the rear tires. while the rear tires are subject from wear by being the drive wheels, the front tires are subject to wear from steering inputs.

typically, going with a staggered set-up, you expect that you have to "flip" your tires if they're directional/symmetrical (vs. rotating them). it's not so much a "con" as it is just something you have to deal with on a regular basis.

MrJody

How often should you flip your tires?

Sango

iTrader: (10)

Flipping the tires is dependent on how on how the tire wear is doing.

From my tech, he said he would flip my tires at his discretion if necessary.

dci4life

iTrader: (3)

I live in Utah so my car is actually an AWD. By saying this does it change the field at all. I have never really considered a staggered wheel fitment until I saw it on a car. It was an RWD though. I have been considering some 18x9 or 9.5 wheels. And not sure what offset just yet.

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

yes.

to make it easier/less complicated, go with a square wheel/tire set-up.

Kitty2IS

what's a square wheel/tire setup ?

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

a square wheel/tire setup is where all four wheels and tires are the same size.

HKS350

iTrader: (4)

Depends on what your going for
1) Looks
2) Handling

If you choose (1) Then staggered would look better in most case's and would appeal to the general public as a "mean looking, rear wheel bais" car.

If you choose (2) you'll get better performance over all. Also better balance, turn in etc....
Most if not all race cars use the same tire sizes and rim widths all around. It takes alot of guess work out of suspenion tuning.

I think there's a thread in the IS-F section where tire tests were done on a certain track day and found that a 265/35/18 all around was the best for stock suspenion and balance.