My Z is only used for track (HPDE) days now (including driving to and from).

Is there any reason why I shouldn't replace my current 18" RPF1s for a set of 17" wheels?

It seems that the savings for tires would be pretty significant ($300+/set). I am currently running Hankook Evos, but the next set of tires will be along the lines of star specs/mx/rs3/something else at this level.

Is there any reason to keep running 18"s?

(if this has already been discussed before feel free to point me to that thread)

 

I've run 18's but never 17's. Reasoning is that I am too cheap and lazy to get a second set of wheels and tires. I just want to turn the key and go. However, if you can afford it then I would get a second set of wheels and tires for the track.

 

ive been thinking of buying a second set of 17" wheels, 17 RPF1 or 17 XXR and 255/40/17 ONLY because 255/40/17 RS3 are $125.00 a tire which is a smoking deal!!!

 

well the cost of the wheels wouldn't be an issue. I would just sell the current set of 18s I have. Considering the price difference in cost for a set of 17 vs 18", I hopefully wouldn't lose too much money making this switch either. Either way, the cost would easily be offset by the significant difference in 17" tires vs 18" tires.

Exactly why I'm thinking about this. On TR the 255/40/17 is $137.

The 255/35/18 is $239
and 265/40/18 is $258

This seems like a huge difference.

If I continue to run the OEM brembos there are no brake clearance issues. Doesn't seem like tire selection is too much of a problem for 17"s either, up to about 265 at least.

So why are people running 18" instead? More wheel clearance for BBKs or more tire width I suppose are two reasons. Enough for a rookie, like me, to justify running 18"s?

 

bigger is better lol na just kiddin i want to get 17's too wieght savings and cheaper tires

 

bigger tires = more control. 18" wheels for BBK, 18" wheels are a better choice of tires and more people sell used performance 18" tires then 17"

 

I have ran both. The thing I ran into with the 17's was the tire choices. While the 17 tires were cheap, there was hardly any choices in sizes and brand.
If you are okay with 275/40/17 all around then go for it, but there is basically nothing wider and few and far between narrower in 17's... The 17's were light and the response was very nice, but I ran 255/275 (255 due to offset) and IMO 255's just don't cut it, and 275 out back was nice, but i perfer 285.

I stick with 18's now for a meaty setup and more options. But damn the tires are expensive.

 

Im moving from 18s to 17s next year. (i started on 19s.. omfgneveragain)

Getting some FN01RCs 17x9 +12 square... weigh nothing, save $400s in tires and still clear brembos.

Only thing is someimes its hard to find the right sizes in the specific tire you want... ie they only make upto 255/40 in the 17 in an RS-3 but they make 285s for 18s... Best you can get out of a 17" starspec is a 265/40... no other street tires i would concider except one of the toyo Rs

 

Kumho XS are available in 17" sizes in 275, 285, 295, 315, and 335. They've proven in various tests to be just as good or better than the other "good" street tires in the dry. The only drawback is they suck in the rain.

 

Tire selection is the best reason to run 18's, sucks not having Z sizing in 17's with the RS3. I also don't like they way the car handles with a 275/40-17 square setup, IMO the car feels so much better with a taller tire out back. Last season i ran 275/40-17 and 275/40-18, that is not possible with most tires. Now i have a 275/35-18 and 285/35-18 combo.

 

Stick with 18's, IMO.

17s' tire heights can cause some unwanted flex, given their larger sidewall.

 

Tires are developed and designed around 18" sizes. There are more choices in 18s as well. I ran 17s for a long time, changed to 18s, and have never looked back. Get a set of 285/30/18 x 4 and call it a day. You can run them if your RPF1s are 9.5 or 10.5 +15. Nix the MXs from your selection. I'd stick with RS3, then Star Spec for a street tire, but if it's track only, maybe you should consider RA1, R888, etc.

 

In terms of tire selections, 18's have more selection when you want to go 265 or higher. If you plan to stay at 255 or go smaller, then I would go with the 17's.

 

Its actually a tough call. Since you're stated goal is HPDEs then cheaper is better. Going to 17s and running Hankooks is probably the lowest cost way to run these events. You should be able to turn good lap times with that combo.

But, if you want the fastest lap times, stick with the 18s and run Hoosier A6s.

 

Why not run Hoosier A6s on 17s?

 

As stated above, race tire development is focused on 18s and, IMHO, a 285/30-18 is pretty much the perfect size for a road racing 350Z if you have to run a DOT-R tire. But a 17" A6 in 275 or maybe even 295 would be just as fast for 99% of the racers out there.