How do larger wheels affect ride and handling?
01-22-13, 06:07 PM
#46
I had 19x8.5 w/ 235/35/19 and 19x9.5 w/ 265/30/19 on Stance GR coilovers with prothane bushings front/back. It was a rough ride and had to dodge pot holes and anything else at all costs. Always joked I was going to get pulled over for swerving all over the place. Steering response was great because there was next to nothing for sidewall.
I now have some 17x7 with 235/45/17 all around on Megan EZ and prothanes and the ride is definitely more comfortable but I still try to avoid pot holes as much as possible. They give a little more in corners due to the taller sidewall.
For DD in NY I would go 17's or 18's. It will allow you to run a taller sidewall which is actually the first "spring" in your suspension. It will absorb impacts better, especially if you're still on the stock suspension. Plus the wheels weigh less, they cost less, tires are cheaper, you get more options in tires, and are more readily available at shops if you ever blow one out.
I now have some 17x7 with 235/45/17 all around on Megan EZ and prothanes and the ride is definitely more comfortable but I still try to avoid pot holes as much as possible. They give a little more in corners due to the taller sidewall.
For DD in NY I would go 17's or 18's. It will allow you to run a taller sidewall which is actually the first "spring" in your suspension. It will absorb impacts better, especially if you're still on the stock suspension. Plus the wheels weigh less, they cost less, tires are cheaper, you get more options in tires, and are more readily available at shops if you ever blow one out.
SG
02-03-13, 05:02 PM
#47
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All the way to 20's.
I currently have 18 X 8 BBS RSII wheels (which I believe are no longer available new) on my SC300. The ride is stiffer than the 16's the car came with. The stiffer ride is as much a function of the Eibach lowering springs (1 inch lower than stock) as it is the wheels. However, sitting in my garage and waiting for replacement of the suspension bushings with polyurethane and removal of a Brembo Big Brake Kit on the front I have a pair of 20 X 8 three-spoke wheels that are going to look incredible! Those wheels have 30 series Falken tires that maintain the correct wheel OD. I have to go back to stock front calipers because the clearance at the rear of the spokes of the new wheels is insufficient to clear the Brembo four pot calipers. I'll be posting photos once the work is completed and the new wheels are mounted. I may advertise the BBS wheels and Brembo components once I am allowed to on this forum. The 16 spoke BBS wheels (which cost about $535/ea new) have a very classic "wire wheel" look and look very good on the car but the 3-spoke wheels (which cost much less) have a 21st century vibe that I like. The trick part about the BBS wheels is the hub cap which hides the wheel studs. Also, the valve stems are hidden. One of the "bolts" that hold the two-piece wheels together is a screw that removes to allow a valve stem adapter to be screwed in for inflating the tires. Below is a picture of the car with the BBS wheels and close-ups of the wheels.
Last edited by davmar; 02-03-13 at 05:24 PM.
02-04-13, 01:12 PM
#48
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16"s with 50 wall tires = luxury
17"s with 45 wall tires = comfortable
18"s with 40 wall tires = not bad
19"s with 35 wall tires = bouncy, terrible, would consider jumping off a bridge
20"s with 30 wall tires = **** rape by an angry polar bear
Before I sold my 19"s, I hated putting them on during the summer season for daily driving. I'm sure if you're only driving a car on the weekends or meets, no big deal. But driving 50+ miles per day with 35 or 30 wall tires in stop and go traffic, occasional construction at highway speeds, dealing with back road pot holes, railroad crossings, etc...it will borderline make you crazy.
17"s with 45 wall tires = comfortable
18"s with 40 wall tires = not bad
19"s with 35 wall tires = bouncy, terrible, would consider jumping off a bridge
20"s with 30 wall tires = **** rape by an angry polar bear
Before I sold my 19"s, I hated putting them on during the summer season for daily driving. I'm sure if you're only driving a car on the weekends or meets, no big deal. But driving 50+ miles per day with 35 or 30 wall tires in stop and go traffic, occasional construction at highway speeds, dealing with back road pot holes, railroad crossings, etc...it will borderline make you crazy.
Thanks for the advice. I myself am going for 18"s my 16"s are comfortable but they throw off the look of my ride.
02-05-13, 06:02 AM
#49
Based upon what I have read, 18" wheels are probably best for overall performance and ride quality for a daily driven SC. For 1/4 mile racing, 15" in the rear with Mickey Thompsons. For the track,, probably still 18" are best. 19 and 20" wheels will look the best depending upon each car, and they should ride fine on good roads, but they are not for performance.
Ryan
Ryan
02-05-13, 06:46 AM
#50
18's It Is!
Based upon what I have read, 18" wheels are probably best for overall performance and ride quality for a daily driven SC. For 1/4 mile racing, 15" in the rear with Mickey Thompsons. For the track,, probably still 18" are best. 19 and 20" wheels will look the best depending upon each car, and they should ride fine on good roads, but they are not for performance.
Ryan
Ryan
I committed to 18's for now. I got a set of newer Sc430 18 inch wheels with Blizzaks (on the car now) and a set of Work VS-ZF (Tires : Rear = 285/35 ZR18 ~ Front = 255/35 ZR18) for the summer (I cant wait!).
02-05-13, 11:57 AM
#53
Studio Geek, we have a few vendors that can widen the lip size and overall width of your wheels. For some reason I thought your wheels were two piece welded but those are three piece.
Have you thought about using red lamin-x film for those clear tails?
Have you thought about using red lamin-x film for those clear tails?
02-05-13, 01:53 PM
#54
I see where the lip seems to be a separate piece.
Who would you talk to for that lip service?
---------------------------------
Lamin-x on the ebay lights? I didnt think of that. I just discovered it as per your mention.
Looks very cool.......
Their bumper protection strips seem cool for me (ere in NYC) as well.
My left stock tail light is pretty smashed but the right side is just a one inch hole in the cover, all the way in the corner. I may put something like this on it temporarily (like a little patch) and just get a left light for now.
Last edited by Studiogeek; 02-05-13 at 01:56 PM.
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