Potholes destroying any 19" wheels?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Northern California
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Potholes destroying any 19" wheels?
I am currently debating between the Nismo 18" wheel or some 19" Volk wheels. While there is little argument from me that the 19" wheels look better on our Z, I am leaning towards the 18" wheels for slightly better performance and protection from potholes. Living in California, our potholes are very common and DEEP and will not be repaired soon because of our fiscal problems. Has anyone experienced any damage to their 19" rims because of potholes or is this an overblown worry?
#3
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, 19's aren't for driving on. They're for Garage Queens. A set of strong 18's will survive longer on bombed-out California roads. 30 or 35 series tires are so thin, you're begging for eggs and dings on your rims.
#4
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ive had my cheapo adr's on for about 8 months now w/ 35 series tires all the way around ... i drive on really shitty houston roads, hit a few potholes ... rims are still perfect.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Blue Liquid
Yeah, 19's aren't for driving on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh....I guess the 2000 trouble free miles I've had on my Volks and Toyos are a mistake.
19's are not a problem at all to drive on ...
it's all about bieng careful when you drive. ive got about 10k miles on my 19's ... not a single problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Blue Liquid
Yeah, 19's aren't for driving on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh....I guess the 2000 trouble free miles I've had on my Volks and Toyos are a mistake.
19's are not a problem at all to drive on ...
it's all about bieng careful when you drive. ive got about 10k miles on my 19's ... not a single problem.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For the two girls who got upset by my comment, here's a tissue, please wipe your tears.
TimZ was concerned about performance and pothole issues with 19's vs. 18's. The fact is, a 19 inch wheel runs a lower series tire, on average, than an 18. Therefore, if/when he hits a pothole, he will stand a greater chance of damaging the vastly more expensive 19 inch wheel. I am glad you guys have so far avoided any nasty potholes. I'd consider yourselves fortunate or lucky. I run 17's on my cars and even though I was running on a 50 series tire I still managed to slightly deform a wheel by hitting a huge pothole by accident in north Jersey, so it can happen on any wheel. The fact is, it's more likely to happen on a 19 than an 18 since you'll have lower series tires on. He also mentioned performance. 19's are for bling factor, nothing more. The tires available in 19 inch sizing are cheesy when it comes to performance. There aren't nearly as many decent 19 inch tires because few serious about sports car performance will run a 19 inch tire. He'll have a far superior tire selection going with an 18. Thats why I said that 19's arent for driving on.
TimZ was concerned about performance and pothole issues with 19's vs. 18's. The fact is, a 19 inch wheel runs a lower series tire, on average, than an 18. Therefore, if/when he hits a pothole, he will stand a greater chance of damaging the vastly more expensive 19 inch wheel. I am glad you guys have so far avoided any nasty potholes. I'd consider yourselves fortunate or lucky. I run 17's on my cars and even though I was running on a 50 series tire I still managed to slightly deform a wheel by hitting a huge pothole by accident in north Jersey, so it can happen on any wheel. The fact is, it's more likely to happen on a 19 than an 18 since you'll have lower series tires on. He also mentioned performance. 19's are for bling factor, nothing more. The tires available in 19 inch sizing are cheesy when it comes to performance. There aren't nearly as many decent 19 inch tires because few serious about sports car performance will run a 19 inch tire. He'll have a far superior tire selection going with an 18. Thats why I said that 19's arent for driving on.
#11
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll tell you where. In the fact that you have a larger overall rotating mass. Without hikacking this guys thread, there are tons of other threads which beat that horse for you. 19 is always bad for performance, when compared to a smaller wheel. To argue the contrary is fruitless.
And I won't argue that the SO-3's are an ok tire. But dont try to say you have a good selection. This is interesting how all the 19 inch guys (many) are getting so worked up about this. Maybe you guys regret your decision???
And I won't argue that the SO-3's are an ok tire. But dont try to say you have a good selection. This is interesting how all the 19 inch guys (many) are getting so worked up about this. Maybe you guys regret your decision???
#12
Sponsor
Sport Z Magazine
Sport Z Magazine
I run 35 series on my 18" wheels due to large tire width (295). You want to be within 1.5 % of outside tire diameter of stock tire to have ABS etc work.
Remember, series tire is based upon a percent of tire width. In otherwords I got a 35 series 295 tire thus 35% of 295 is 103mm wall ht. If I had a narrower tire with the same series tire, the wall ht would be lower.
Yes, 18" wheels have less rotational mass. Remember every 6lbs of wt on a wheel = 1 hp loss and the wheel weighs a lot more than the rubber tire thus 19" equals less hp to wheels. Now some of you might understand why I went 18" rather than 19? I want a combination of looks and performance and 18 seemed like the best combo for my taste but if you like 19", I understand.
Remember, series tire is based upon a percent of tire width. In otherwords I got a 35 series 295 tire thus 35% of 295 is 103mm wall ht. If I had a narrower tire with the same series tire, the wall ht would be lower.
Yes, 18" wheels have less rotational mass. Remember every 6lbs of wt on a wheel = 1 hp loss and the wheel weighs a lot more than the rubber tire thus 19" equals less hp to wheels. Now some of you might understand why I went 18" rather than 19? I want a combination of looks and performance and 18 seemed like the best combo for my taste but if you like 19", I understand.
Last edited by zland; 11-10-2003 at 11:59 AM.
#14
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
to quote you earlier
"Yeah, 19's aren't for driving on. They're for Garage Queens."
Is a bad blanket statement to make. I drive my car very hard everyday... and I've not had problems because I am careful about slowing down and avoiding potholes when im driving on really bad roads.
Generally 18" in wheels will make your car a little faster, as will 17's, but im not really worried about loosing a few hp when im driving around town. - That extra 3-4 horsepower isnt going to make a bit of difference to me.
However, when im going out to TWS, I want to lower my lap times as much as possible ... so of course im going to go with a smaller diameter wheel and some r compound tires (it's also wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more cost efficient).
"Yeah, 19's aren't for driving on. They're for Garage Queens."
Is a bad blanket statement to make. I drive my car very hard everyday... and I've not had problems because I am careful about slowing down and avoiding potholes when im driving on really bad roads.
Generally 18" in wheels will make your car a little faster, as will 17's, but im not really worried about loosing a few hp when im driving around town. - That extra 3-4 horsepower isnt going to make a bit of difference to me.
However, when im going out to TWS, I want to lower my lap times as much as possible ... so of course im going to go with a smaller diameter wheel and some r compound tires (it's also wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more cost efficient).
#15
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Potholes destroying any 19" wheels?
Originally posted by TimZ
I am currently debating between the Nismo 18" wheel or some 19" Volk wheels. While there is little argument from me that the 19" wheels look better on our Z, I am leaning towards the 18" wheels for slightly better performance and protection from potholes. Living in California, our potholes are very common and DEEP and will not be repaired soon because of our fiscal problems. Has anyone experienced any damage to their 19" rims because of potholes or is this an overblown worry?
I am currently debating between the Nismo 18" wheel or some 19" Volk wheels. While there is little argument from me that the 19" wheels look better on our Z, I am leaning towards the 18" wheels for slightly better performance and protection from potholes. Living in California, our potholes are very common and DEEP and will not be repaired soon because of our fiscal problems. Has anyone experienced any damage to their 19" rims because of potholes or is this an overblown worry?
hey tim,
i'm also in norcal, so i know how crappy the road conditions are especially in downtown sf. i have 19s and so far have not had any problems. i guess your decision comes down to whether you want your for show or for go??? if you do decide to get 19s, you can always put the stocks on until the rainy season is over and all the potholes are filled. this way you don't have to worry so much. ggod luck.
#16
...
iTrader: (17)
I've seen several bent / cracked Volks, including two that I had on my Honda. Then again, the roads in DC are atrocious. Hell, even my OEM Rays have some serious balance weights on them (2.5 oz on one of the front wheels)...
From my experience driving in downtown SF, you all have it easy. You should be able to get around on 19s without a problem...
From my experience driving in downtown SF, you all have it easy. You should be able to get around on 19s without a problem...
#17
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Elongated Island
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Blue Liquid
I'll tell you where. In the fact that you have a larger overall rotating mass. Without hikacking this guys thread, there are tons of other threads which beat that horse for you. 19 is always bad for performance, when compared to a smaller wheel. To argue the contrary is fruitless.
And I won't argue that the SO-3's are an ok tire. But dont try to say you have a good selection. This is interesting how all the 19 inch guys (many) are getting so worked up about this. Maybe you guys regret your decision???
I'll tell you where. In the fact that you have a larger overall rotating mass. Without hikacking this guys thread, there are tons of other threads which beat that horse for you. 19 is always bad for performance, when compared to a smaller wheel. To argue the contrary is fruitless.
And I won't argue that the SO-3's are an ok tire. But dont try to say you have a good selection. This is interesting how all the 19 inch guys (many) are getting so worked up about this. Maybe you guys regret your decision???
Last edited by jckolnturn; 11-10-2003 at 01:23 PM.
#18
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Just another guy...
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 20s and Toyo tires are perfect. I've hit some pretty messed up dips and potholes before too. Just depends on how strong the wheels are and how careful you drive through bad roads.
#19
...
iTrader: (17)
but i just don't see how lighter wheels plus lighter tires equal more rotating mass? Not too mention added traction from more rubber. I agree if i was worried about tracking my car i wouldn't have got 19's but i drive in the real world on real streets where it doesn't matter that my wheels are heavier or lighter by a couple of pounds.
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Orange county
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hello fellow Z drivers .......gosh i cant believe that you guys are debating about which wheel to buy or use.....well one thing to say about that....for people that is buying 18s is simple they cant afford to buy a nice *** 19s......and so what if the 18s perform better that a set of 19s it is still dayam good!! Anyways...God Speed peeps