have to make a decision this weekend: 18's or 19's.....!
 

OK im buying the gold SF challenges for my PPW Z sometime this weekend from jeff @ evolution. I have wanted the 18"s for some time because I dont wanna lose much speed/handling and have that much road noise. The problem is the 18" sf challenges have to be special ordered and at the least will take 3 months or so to show up. I dont mind waiting but the price on the 18"s since they are special ordered is only $50 less than a set of 4 IN STOCK 19" SF challenges. And I'm looking at Michelin Pilot Sport tires, which in 19" run $160 more for a set of 4 which isnt that bad. I've been told under normal driving conditions i can get up to 25-30k out of them. Anyways, I live in downtown ATL and though there arent that many potholes there are some which are bad. I will be extremely careful either way with 18"s or 19"s, im more worried about the road noise on 19's (especially during roadtrips) and the speed/handling loss. This is MY ONLY car so it is a daily driver, what would u guys do?

19s

yup, get 19s

19s aren't much less comfortable/noisy than 18s. go for the 19s.

19"

One downside to 19s is tire selection for poor weather conditions, but if you keep your stock 17s for winter you could throw on some Blizzaks and have the best of both winter and summer driving. The 19s just look so much better on this car that any performance loss, if any, is simply wipped out by the killer looks IMHO.

we dont need no stinkin' winter tires in the ATL! ;)

hey 2003z i met u at the party, iw as one of the young ones my name is adam, did u notice any speed or handling loss when u changed from the track rims to the 19" iforged???

Most people (in fact everyone above) will say 19s. I'm in the minority, I say 18s. On my Coupe I went from 18s to Nismos 18s, and couldn't be happier. The Nismos look great, and IMO, the car handles better and is faster with the 18s than the 19s. No flames please, just MO. Notice both Jason and Jeff at Performance have 18s.

Lou

Well, the 19 inch NISMOs haven't made it here yet. When they do I suspect I will sell my 18 inch NISMOs and get some 19 inch NISMOs since I don't track my car or anything. I don't think I will lose THAT much performance although I know I will lose some.

the other downside beside lack of winter tire selection, a bit slim for track tires. but then again it doesnt matter, cause the same holds true for 18". wont find drag radials in either size. you can still find some R compound tread.

I dont regret my 18", I like em, whatever tiny performance edge they offered was fine. but Id go with the 19" just for the wait :p.

I dont think our roads are that bad. highways are all in pretty good shape. not all torn up like roads up north from water freezing under them. you should be fine with some caution.

Well, I Guess I'm a minority of 1 (one) now, but I really do like the 18s. However, there is another option. 18s in front and 19s in back (245/40/18 & 275/35/19). That keeps the sidewall height the same front and back, and keeps the proper OD stagger. The C5 Vette used 17s in front and 18s in back, the C6 uses 18s in front and 19s in back, as does the Crossfire. A number of performance cars use staggered wheels and tires, rather than just staggered tires.

Just another option. However, I still like my 18s, and will keep them.

Lou

From the track rims to the iforged, yes, but that was due to the track rims being so light. On the dyno (I did back to back runs for comparison), it was a 3rwhp difference. Going from performance or base rims, the difference wouldn't be as noticeable.

I seriously considered 18's for all the performance reasons but i couldn't resist when i saw the 19's and i have no regrets now. For what it's worth, my opinion is 19's for the challenges because to me that wheel tends to look smaller to begin with. In no way would i knock someone for 18's though.

get the 19s so you can be just as cool as this guy

19s

So what did you end up with?