Why are 17" wheels ugly and 18" beautiful - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

softgrip · 03-18-2016, 08:25 PM

There seems to be such a great variety of 18" wheels around. I love what volk and enkei have in their range, and other brands are also tempting.

As for 17", the only wheels I like are a set of Advans but they are a distant second to many of the 18" options.

From the reading I've done, 17" is better suited to this car for performance/handling. Is this true? Please tell me 18" performance is fantastic or that there is a hidden cache of good 17" wheels I'm yet to research.

8R6 · 03-18-2016, 09:01 PM

what makes one wheel "good" compared to another wheel for you? is it just looks and thats why you like 18s? the "performance" of a wheel that it can offer comes down to wheel height/width/offset/weight... PLUS the tire choice.

but then again, depending on your suspension (or lack of for stance people), none of the above matters other than looks.

too many variable for a vague question (your post seems more like a rant than a question though...)

chas3wba0 · 03-18-2016, 09:08 PM

If you're gonna rock stock suspension, a set of 18" wheels (but not too wide, 18x9 max) fills up the wheel gap better. With 17" wheels that are wider than stock, you need to also lower the car to make it look good... IMO

gatorbushmen · 03-18-2016, 09:30 PM

I'd go with 17" tires since they are cheaper than 18".

softgrip · 03-18-2016, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8R6

what makes one wheel "good" compared to another wheel for you? is it just looks and thats why you like 18s? the "performance" of a wheel that it can offer comes down to wheel height/width/offset/weight... PLUS the tire choice.

but then again, depending on your suspension (or lack of for stance people), none of the above matters other than looks.

too many variable for a vague question (your post seems more like a rant than a question though...)

When I find wheels that I really like the look of, they are 18" or above. This is the spoke design. I'm not after "stance" but I don't want wheels I don't like the look of.

Obviously tyres make a huge difference - I'll chuck on whatever is best for the size.

I'll also do my suspension.

So the question kind of remains - why is there such great variety in 18" wheels compared to 17"? I'm not asking about width or offset. Tyre wall size is something I'm interested in.

All things considered, is there a performance advantage of sticking with 17"?

Vracer111 · 03-18-2016, 10:13 PM

It's all subjective and dependant on wheel design. For instance this BBS would not look as good in 18" size:

All has to do with number of spokes and their shape, generally the thinner the spokes, the better it will look at 17"...

And the wheels I have on my FR-S, I prefer in 17" over 18". Saw someone with 18" version at a car meet and it just didn't look right to me:

17"

18"

Kostamojen · 03-18-2016, 10:59 PM

I've had both, I like both for looks... But the 17's are way better for what really matters:

jvincent · 03-18-2016, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softgrip

All things considered, is there a performance advantage of sticking with 17"?

Everything else being equal, a 17" wheel should be lighter than its 18" equivalent. I mean comparing same model, width, offset.

How much difference is that going to make? Probably not enough to matter unless you are really skilled and are pushing the car to its limit.

softgrip · 03-18-2016, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

I've had both, I like both for looks... But the 17's are way better for what really matters:

What are those wheels in the bottom pic? Hubba hubba

Kostamojen · 03-19-2016, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softgrip

What are those wheels in the bottom pic? Hubba hubba

Wedsport tc105n 17x9 +35

Teseo · 03-19-2016, 12:12 AM

17" wheel with spacers and a suspension drop 1" will look decent imo.

kuczynskika · 03-19-2016, 12:34 AM

Actually its all about the 19s! hehe

softgrip · 03-19-2016, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teseo

17" wheel with spacers and a suspension drop 1" will look decent imo.

Spacers are illegal in Victoria

So I'm told.

gravitylover · 03-19-2016, 01:06 AM

Because you want new wheels and are trying to justify what they're gonna cost

03-18-2016, 09:01 PM	#2
8R6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: FRS Location: SoCal Posts: 2,086 Thanks: 2,738 Thanked 1,338 Times in 746 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	what makes one wheel "good" compared to another wheel for you? is it just looks and thats why you like 18s? the "performance" of a wheel that it can offer comes down to wheel height/width/offset/weight... PLUS the tire choice. but then again, depending on your suspension (or lack of for stance people), none of the above matters other than looks. too many variable for a vague question (your post seems more like a rant than a question though...) __________________ Team BRG inspire-usa My car build #8R6

03-18-2016, 09:08 PM	#3
chas3wba0 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: Yes Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,052 Thanks: 1,629 Thanked 813 Times in 407 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you're gonna rock stock suspension, a set of 18" wheels (but not too wide, 18x9 max) fills up the wheel gap better. With 17" wheels that are wider than stock, you need to also lower the car to make it look good... IMO __________________ "If thy pleaſure be in Underſteere, thou art Weird." - Distraxi

03-18-2016, 09:30 PM	#4
gatorbushmen Amateur Drifter Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: '13 FRS Location: Saint Augustine Posts: 355 Thanks: 220 Thanked 222 Times in 72 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I'd go with 17" tires since they are cheaper than 18". __________________ i like 2 drift https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvo...pU-TkCZZcTh61g

03-19-2016, 01:06 AM	#14
gravitylover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Drives: 2013 BRZ Premium 6MT White Location: SE NY Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 1,218 Thanked 669 Times in 474 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Why are 17" wheels ugly and 18" beautiful Because you want new wheels and are trying to justify what they're gonna cost __________________

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