After reading and participating here for a short time, I cannot help but be tempted by better wheels and tires. I’ve put up a couple of threads asking about why people get aftermarket wheels, and the answers I received were “all over the place.” Some people prefer appearance while others want performance.

I have a 2003 Performance model that comes stock with 18x8” wheels on which I currently run Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (front 245/40-18" and rear 245/45-18") in the summer and Dunlop snow tires (front 225/50-17" and rear 225/55-17") during winter months.


After starting a thread (some time ago) asking about larger diameter wheels (19” wheels) and receiving some good answers, I would like to revisit this.

My question: What is (if any) a good reason to go to 19” wheels? Is it only esthetics?


--Spike

 

I can only see aesthetics at this point. Running a relatively smaller profile tire with 19s will theoretically give it less flex. But you should ask yourself if tire flex is really hurting the handling setup of your car.

Don't forget the higher rotational moment of inertia, which will hurt acceleration and braking.

 

If you get lighter wheels/tires, the performance issue is a wash. My 18" OEM setup weighed 53/57lbs, my 19" Volks/PS2s weigh 44/48lbs. I did some rough calculations and the moment of inertia was essentially the same.

Naturally, I went with a much wider setup. One downside to all that rubber is increased rolling resistance which does cut into your gas mileage.

 

And so will the replies to any similar question.

 

18" wheels= lighter, cheaper, better performance, more tire selection, cheaper tires, can drop the car to the MAX

19" wheels= bigger, fits in the fender better, some people like it but, you can't drop it like 18"s, rims looks better since its 19s..

I prefer 18s.. more like track look!!

 

17" -> Autocross
18" -> Road Course
19" -> Looks
20" -> Why!?

 

When I get wheels they will be 18" and lightweight. I agree that 19" looks better...but I'd rather have the least rotating mass without going too small.

 

Agreed, and I'm even downsizing to w-i-d-e 17" FN01RC's. Screw 18's.

 

Great answer, I agree

 

One thing I notice is that wheels with two colors (the prime example is a wheel with gloss black spokes and a silver polished rim) look really good in a 19” size but appear too small in an 18” rim size. It’s a visual effect when the center of a circle is darker than the perimeter. I notice this because I have a redline Z and think a two tone wheel (black spokes and a silver polished rim)look just great on the car, as long as the wheel is 19” (the same wheel in an 18” size looks weird and small). I didn’t post example pictures, but you can see this by looking at the wheel threads.

I wonder if other readers here notice this or agree with my statement. I suppose it depends upon the car’s color as well.

--Spike