Pros and cons of bigger wheels, 18" decision Options

[Nihil]

Ok, currently I got 7Jx16" wheels with 205/50R16 tires. This my winter set, but since the winter is almost over and I don't have a set of summer tires, I'm thinking about buying a second set of wheels. I fount used 8Jx18" O.Z. racing Hydra that are quite cheap, but now I want to know, how will this affect mi ride?

I've seen 6G Celicas on wheels from 14" to 19", how are your experiences with different diameters? Are 18" wheels too much, if the roads are a bit bumpy and there are some potholes and cracks and such?

I wanna hear some pros and cons that can help me decide if 18" are suitable for me Thanks

[ILoveMySilly97]

I use to have 16x6.5 wheels but switched over to 17x8. The biggest difference I noticed was. I had to run stretched tires for my 17s to fit since it was a bigger and wider wheel. That's probably going to be one of the bigger issues you're going to run into. If you're riding on 17 or bigger rims. You'll need coilovers. Your cars going to look like a monster truck. The 16s are fine with the lowering springs. Like i said. I think 18s are fine. I think you'll have to run 30-40 series tires for them to fit. Of course all fenders are going to be needed to be rolled and possibly pulled. Its only if you want the car to look low and not a monster truck.

[Syaoran]

Depending on how wide of a wheel and how low off an offset you go you'll know which size tire you'll need to use.

I personally use 17x7 +38 wheels at the moment and have 0 rubbing issues with 215/45/17 tires and they are relatively comfortable.

I bought the car with 18s and it was horrible, but it might have been because it had blown shocks and heated springs. I've been wanting to try 18" wheels again but I've preferred sticking with 17"

As mentioned above, you'll need to choose a tire that fits if you go too wide. You have to be careful though, you don't want to extremely stretch the tire. Personally 205/45 or 215/40 tires are pretty easy to fit, even 225/45 and 215/45 fits depending on ride height/wheel width

[Nihil]

Well here the wheels must be homologated (not sure if you use this term, it means to officially approve some change on your car), so I need the tires specified in the certification paper. It says that with these wheels (8Jx18" +35ET) goes only 225/35R18 tire. I'm guessing that it shouldn't be an issue with rubbing, if it is certified.

As it goes for the monster truck look - does anybody got a photo of celica wiht 18" wheels and stock ride height?

[Syaoran]

18x8 +35 will fit fine with 225/35 tires.

[Nial]

I have run a few sizes of 18" wheels, all ET35 offset, 18x9 which where fine with 225/40 tyres, very slight rubbing from the rears when going over large bumps, I now run 18x7.5 alloys, again with 225/40 tyres, still no problems, thats with normal suspension, you do not need coilovers to run 18" wheels.

They tramline slightly but not really noticeable.

I have also run 18" wheels with 225/35 tyres, I found them a little harsh on ride comfort, but christ they handled well.

If you have lots of potholes, run 225/40s or stick with 17s or 16s

[ILoveMySilly97]

215/40 would probably be the best look or go with 225/35 for a non stretched look.

[UndaGrwnD]

my summer OZ wheel are 17x8 et35 with 235/40 tires. the rears would rub a bit in hard corners on the track...but since the rear fenders are rolled...no probs anymore.

this summer i want new wheels, and looking for 18x8.5 rims.

[Hirogodsend]

Anyone know how a 225/45r17 runs?

[SwissFerdi]

^ Suited for 8" wheel.

[ILoveMySilly97]

Anyone know how a 225/45r17 runs?

For a perfect non stretch look. It'll fit perfectly on 8" wheel. I use to have that on my celica until I decided to go low and needed smaller tires so I'm running on 205/40/17. Lol. Also try tyrestretch.com. They have PLENTY of pictures of different sized tires on different size wheels. They even have 125/70/17 for a 8J wheel. STUPID STRETCH!

[block]

Fancy smancy. I had 235/45/17 all around for my 17x8 wheels. Rode nice and quiet. Also was slammed on coilovers.

[ILoveMySilly97]

Fancy smancy. I had 235/45/17 all around for my 17x8 wheels. Rode nice and quiet. Also was slammed on coilovers.

Really? When I slammed my car with 225/45 I had rubbing issues on bumps and front fender cuts when I turn on bumps.

[block]

I had slight scrapes in the front (splash guard) whenever I did a hard turn. I did end up rolling the front and taking out the splash guard so I could drop the front much lower. The rear was fine until I got my spacers....had to up it a little because the wheels were sticking out.

It doesn't make any difference but I had 17x8 +30 all around. I added 20mm spacers in the rear thus having up the rear to prevent rear fenders from rubbing the tires.

[ILoveMySilly97]

I had slight scrapes in the front (splash guard) whenever I did a hard turn. I did end up rolling the front and taking out the splash guard so I could drop the front much lower. The rear was fine until I got my spacers....had to up it a little because the wheels were sticking out.

It doesn't make any difference but I had 17x8 +30 all around. I added 20mm spacers in the rear thus having up the rear to prevent rear fenders from rubbing the tires.

That's weird. I had +45 in the front and still had fender cutting into my tires. Lol.

[saleenvic]

Ok, currently I got 7Jx16" wheels with 205/50R16 tires. This my winter set, but since the winter is almost over and I don't have a set of summer tires, I'm thinking about buying a second set of wheels. I fount used 8Jx18" O.Z. racing Hydra that are quite cheap, but now I want to know, how will this affect mi ride?

I've seen 6G Celicas on wheels from 14" to 19", how are your experiences with different diameters? Are 18" wheels too much, if the roads are a bit bumpy and there are some potholes and cracks and such?

I wanna hear some pros and cons that can help me decide if 18" are suitable for me Thanks

The only plus about increasing the rim size to an 18 inch is it fills in the wheel well, it all depends on the look you're going for. Drawbacks are a bigger rim increases weight (depending on the rim ofcourse -you'd have to do research on the model you like) Many people dont particularly care about weight or performance so it all depends on the route you want to go thru. Another drawback is any increase in wheel size will throw off your speedometer by a few mph. (the cluster is calibrated to the turning radius of your stock wheels) Also, keep in mind if you increase the rim size, it will raise up your car so you may need to consider saving money for the wheels, and the lowering springs all at the same time. Again it all really depends what you're going for, I'm planning on buying 16inch wheels in the future.

[delusionz]

18" and 40 sidewalls are fine, just watch kerbs, driveways and potholes like you should anyways.

definitely feel the weight of an 18" wheel though thats for sure, 16s are a nice size/weight middleground, 17+ is ideal for looks

[jordisonjr]

I use to have 16x6.5 wheels but switched over to 17x8. The biggest difference I noticed was. I had to run stretched tires for my 17s to fit since it was a bigger and wider wheel. That's probably going to be one of the bigger issues you're going to run into. If you're riding on 17 or bigger rims. You'll need coilovers. Your cars going to look like a monster truck. The 16s are fine with the lowering springs. Like i said. I think 18s are fine. I think you'll have to run 30-40 series tires for them to fit. Of course all fenders are going to be needed to be rolled and possibly pulled. Its only if you want the car to look low and not a monster truck.

I strongly disagree with this.
I'm on 17's, lowerd on tien s techs (1.9"f, 1.5"r) and my car is far from monster truck.

I've got 225/40/18 on a 18x8 +35
The roads where I live are garbage. Super rough, and pot holes everywhere.
I haven't had many issues with these wheels, yes the ride is somewhat bumpy, and you need to be careful how you drive but thats gunna be with any set of aftermarket wheels if you care about your car.

I think they look great, however it probably owuld look a little better with sideskirts at least. You can definately feel the weight a little more, but if having the fastest car isn't your concern, then Id say go with 18.
The only issue I ran into was a little bit of rubbing in the rear. The slightest bit on the rear lip of the fender (not enough to even cut tire) over the large dips that got the whole car moving. I fixed this by rolling the fenders only a tiny bit, they didn't even need to be rolled all the way. Just angled the lip up slightly with a mallet and a heat gun.
here's a pic of what they look on my stock bodied car, for reference.



This post has been edited by jordisonjr: Mar 16, 2013 - 10:40 PM

[ILoveMySilly97]

^Is that pic with the lowering springs also? I meant monster truck as in it feels like riding the stock height again. Lol.

[jordisonjr]

^Is that pic with the lowering springs also? I meant monster truck as in it feels like riding the stock height again. Lol.

Yea this is lowered on tien S-techs/KYB GR2
Ohh haha. Yea there's definately a difference from driving on the stock wheels to 18's.