18s? 17s? Input on either appreciated...

[jbsupra89t]

Hey,

I told SupraCentral to delete my old CCW thread, (if you're wondering where that is), so that I could start a different one. I will be looking to get some wheels this summer perhaps, but I'm once again torn between 17s or 18s. :icon_conf Right now I have 18" wheels, and I like them, but there are things about 17s that attract me to them. First the cost difference, second, the cost of rubber (albeit not as much of a diff. as 18" and 19", but the difference is still there), and weight difference. I don't daily my car, it will see the occasional trip to the track (1/4 mile), but the roads around here minus the main highways in town, totally SUCK :rant2: Those who have been at a crossroads between the two sizes, I'd like to hear your input on which route you took, but more importantly, your reasoning for it. Much appreciated, and thanks to those who posted in the CCW thread :biggrinbo

-J

 

[SupraMario]

18's on rear and 17's on front, i personally am going to do 19's back and 18's front.

 

[Anomili]

I've got 18's on my dad's bmw and around where I live the roads really are shit. Ther whole reason I got new rims was because I literally totalled one of the rear wheels (16's stock) on a pot hole a foot deep. The new rims can deal with the road perfectly fine, just make sure that the tires are inflated.

 

[Ckanderson]

looks:18's
traction: 17's or 16's

 

[GrimJack]

Exactly.

looks:18's
traction: 17's or 16's

 

[drunk_medic]

I know they don't advertise them in 17, but I wonder if CCW makes their SP500 rims between 17x9 and 17x10. My rims right now are only 17x7.5. I got them at a great price and they were a lifesaver when I was hurting for cash but needed rims and tires. I'd really like something extremely nice eventually though, and I don't want anything huge or blingy. Some silver Volk TE37 or Enkei RPO1 rims in those sizes would be great as well. We shall see what happens in a year or so.

 

[bigaaron]

My opinion is 18's for show, 17's for go. 17" rims are more practicle for a car that will be driven hard on different types of surfaces in different conditions. Look at scca solo2 cars, most of them are running 17's or 16's.

 

[bigaaron]

The 17's front and 18's rear must be a jdm thing, I just don't understand. :dunno:

 

[flubyux2]

17's should have been on the MK3 stock. 18's would be a real upgrade over the 17's. honestly, the MK3 should have had the TT rims from the factory, instead of the weaksauce sawblades or 5-stars. the 5-stars are far lighter than sawblades, i dig them for that fact... but 16's still leave quite a bit of fender gap which has to be taken up by rubber. even 17's leave a big gap too. TT rims on stock ride height have a big fender gap. i honestly wouldnt lower the MK3 much more than 1"...EVER. ive dealt with dropped cars, and its not worth it just for looks. a MK3 with 18's would just "click", regardless of ride height. it MK3 s just a big body car and Big wheels would just suit it well.

18x11 in the rear and 18x9 in the front would be the business. you can get some nice michelin pilots for the car cuz those are pretty dang sticky. those are the tires you can drive down the street on and hear all the debris being kicked up inside the fenders cuz they stick so well.

19's would be virtually impossible to get traction on, even with a 300+ wide tire. my friend has CCW's in 19x12 w/ conti-sports on them in 315 and doesnt get traction of any way, shape or form.

 

[CTsupra]

^Yeah, I want those exact rims your friend has. I know which ones you're talking about. :drool: They would definately be for show though 18x13 rear and 18x10 front.

Jb - I plan on doing ALOT of stuff to my next mkiii and one of them is going to be widening some mkiv (non-polished) rims - 17x11.5 rear 17x10 front.

 

[jbsupra89t]

You bring up good points "flubyux2"...

I think it still comes down to preference sadly, as neither have any GLARING advantages, well, to me at least. I'm going to email the company and see if they can supply me with a test fit wheel (see if it clears the BBK), and go from there. HamsMKIII over on SF has wider 17s, and if I mimiced that offset, I don't see why it wouldn't fit as well with the ones I'm looking at. If in fact the 17s DONT fit over the caliper without significant grinding/trimming, it'll have to be 18s regardless. Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming

-J

 

[Mark2JZ]

well J, you know what I like

(my desktop)

 

[drunk_medic]

The 17's front and 18's rear must be a jdm thing, I just don't understand. :dunno:

DDDDDDoooRIFFFFFUTOOOOOOOOOOO!

Seriously though, I was thinking about rim size/selection. I am hoping that a 14.1" Wilwood brake upgrade will fit in 17s. SHOULD, but might be a lil close. 17s are usually a requirement for brake upgrades aside from increasing size of anything.

 

[bo3232000]

:evil2: Just so you guys know i just bought a set of ruff racing style 277's at 18 x 8.5 frt and 18 x 9.5 rear with 35 mm backspacing and they fit perfectly..Edges of rims are 1/8 inch inside fender wells...So happy they work..
Hope the nums help out... :naughty:

 

[SP 7M]

I have 18s, but for your purposes I would recommend 17s. There are plenty of rims out there that still look badass even if they're only 17s. CCW is a great example of that.

I really don't like taller rims in the rear and shorter in the front. That setup reminds me more of American cars than Japanese.

What brand/style/size/rubber are you looking at getting?

 

[Brewster]

I want some CCW classics, black centers. Those would look great on a silver MKIII.

 

[supra90turbo]

those would look fantastic, however pricey... it's worth the money. sort of like HRE. almost a status type wheel, but much worth the money.

seriously, please.... nobody stagger the sizes. that doesnt even look good on muscle cars...

 

[oneandgone]

looks:18's
traction: 17's or 16's

My 1.86 60' says that 18's bite just fine. I haven't been able to beat it on 15's with slicks yet, only match it.

 

[SP 7M]

seriously, please.... nobody stagger the sizes. that doesnt even look good on muscle cars...

Staggering as in wider in the rear than in the front or taller in the rear?

I know how people usually use the term "staggered" when it comes to rims, but I'm not sure if you mean it like that. I'd like to know before I reply about it.

 

[SupraOfDoom]

17's should have been on the MK3 stock. 18's would be a real upgrade over the 17's. honestly, the MK3 should have had the TT rims from the factory, instead of the weaksauce sawblades or 5-stars. the 5-stars are far lighter than sawblades, i dig them for that fact... but 16's still leave quite a bit of fender gap which has to be taken up by rubber. even 17's leave a big gap too. TT rims on stock ride height have a big fender gap. i honestly wouldnt lower the MK3 much more than 1"...EVER. ive dealt with dropped cars, and its not worth it just for looks. a MK3 with 18's would just "click", regardless of ride height. it MK3 s just a big body car and Big wheels would just suit it well.

18x11 in the rear and 18x9 in the front would be the business. you can get some nice michelin pilots for the car cuz those are pretty dang sticky. those are the tires you can drive down the street on and hear all the debris being kicked up inside the fenders cuz they stick so well.

19's would be virtually impossible to get traction on, even with a 300+ wide tire. my friend has CCW's in 19x12 w/ conti-sports on them in 315 and doesnt get traction of any way, shape or form.

No lower then 1" Pshh. Not only should it perform better in the twisties it does look way better ( to a certain extent ). How is it not worth it?