How harsh is the ride on 18" vs 17" wheels?

[mickey177]

So I am having a hard time trying to decided between the Enkei PF01 17x7.5 and the 18x7.5. I know the the 18" weights about a pound more and the 18 inch tires are on average 2 to 4 pounds heavier. But the 18"s looks perfect on the car.But I also concern of breaking my back with all the pothole and speedbumps out there.Not to mention if I got the 17" then i can use my stock tires.but if i got the 18" I will have to shell out for new tires. I keep looking at the picture from the First Drive event in Baltimore and the 17inch looks good on that too.But that has a lowered suspension.Does anyone know how much that was drop with the TRD springs? http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ht=first+drive .Please give me some feedback about this problem. Or else I will just have to resort to what i always do when faced with a tough decision and flip a coin.

[BAE]

17" is better for weight, comfort and cost of tires. Looks is the only thing that is better with 18" (unless you want seriously big brakes), but I agree with you that it is important. My head is processing the same decision.

[mickey177]

I think the 17x7.5 will fit on the stock tires right?

[fsevofq400]

Originally Posted by mickey177

I think the 17x7.5 will fit on the stock tires right?

Stock tires are 215/45/R17 on 17x7, it'll fit just fine.

IMO if I wanted to mod wheels and tires I would definitely go 18", otherwise just keep it stock. But that's just my opinion

But then again you're in Austin... I know how bad the roads are in Austin....

[denkigrve]

The ride is fine on 18x8's. I was going to order PF01's in 18x8 +35 but ended up with some TSW wheels until the PF03s I want are available again. Just get quality tires. If you're going for more traction then do NOT keep the stock tires on new wheels. Get some nice summer performance tires and you'll already notice a huge difference.

And let's face it, if looks didn't matter everyone would be driving on the lightest possible wheels they could find, and not trying to find a set of 17s that look good. Everyone wants to get a set of wheels that match their car's design.

[chadr0]

I went to an 18" from a 17" on my old civic and I didn't notice any difference in ride quality. However, that probably had to more to do with the fact that I increased the tire width but kept the aspect ratio the same.

[ruskymx]

I think the drop from the TRD springs is 1.25", but I could be wrong. I was at the event in Baltimore, but I didn't catch it on video when they were talking about the amount of drop. I just watched my video again that the guy does a walkaround and he mentions the springs, wheels, tires, etc but doesn't say the amount of the drop.

Ruskymx

[denkigrve]

Originally Posted by ruskymx

I think the drop from the TRD springs is 1.25", but I could be wrong. I was at the event in Baltimore, but I didn't catch it on video when they were talking about the amount of drop. I just watched my video again that the guy does a walkaround and he mentions the springs, wheels, tires, etc but doesn't say the amount of the drop.

Ruskymx

I might be wrong, but I thought the springs are/were going to be developed by Eibach, so it's the same as one of their sets most likely.

[dori.]

I would think that your tire selection would have a larger hand in road feel than rim diameter