A serious wheel question that goes beyond weight and appearance...
 

The most used single description I have heard of for the FR-S and the BRZ is that they are "balanced" in terms of how they drive and handle.

It is common to put wider tires on the rear of a car. This adds a little in the looks depart as well as helps put power down better. With that said, would you want your front and rear wheels to be the same width? How would it effect grip between the front and rear?

http://www.tsw.com/alloy_wheels_interlagos.php
17" dia. widths:
- 7.5"16.85lbs, 8", 9"
18" dia. widths:
- 7.5", 8", 8.5", 9", 9.5", 10.5"
19" dia. widths:
- 8", 8.5", 9", 9.5", 10.5"

I personally prefer 19" wheels since they fill that massive wheel well better.

Kev

If you are going 19" why do you really care that much about handling and balance?

IDK I think 17" and 18" are good. 19's might be too big, but then again, I've never seen the car with them on. Only blinging 20's.

I went with 17x7.5 225 all around because I was concerned I would upset the driving balance and performance of the car with anything larger. That's more important to me then looking good. When more tuner and track data becomes available over the next year, I may change my mind. For others, "its better to look good then feel good" so staggered 18's and dropped would probably be my choice for maximum aesthetics.

Again, what's with all the negativity. Because you don't like it doesn't mean no one else should. Is bashing someone else's opinion all people do on this flippin forum? I guess it is a lot easier to disagree on irrelevant information than it is to actually think about the main focus. It's funny actually because you are now irrelevant to me.


The 19" wheels I was referring to weigh the same or a tap over stock, but are wider. I realize that only the 8" wide wheels have the proper bolt pattern, but the question remains. Stay on topic or go somewhere else.

It is great to hear everyone's unbiased opinions.

Well... he did give you his opinion, which is: 19 will upset the performance. No need to go all berserk on a guy.

If the same wheel can achieve a lower weight in a smaller size, the only reason you'd go bigger is for looks and nothing else (for this car anyways). I'm debating as to whether get the 17 OZ alleggerita or the 18, there's a massive difference in weight there but 18 looks better. Hence the age old question.

Keep in mind that it will also depend on the size and weight of the tires you put on it.

19's
http://www.rayswheels.co.jp/wp/wp-co.../05/86rand.jpg
(from this thread)
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9394

You asked for opinions and he gave you his. It's no more "right" than anyone elses. Wheels are a very subjective choice as is suspension tuning as it should match the driver's preferences and style.

These cars don't really have power to put down, a FWD Camry has more power to put down in a less effective driveline with 215 width tires. I'm not saying wider can't be better just that you don't need it to put the power down really.

Anyways, I don't like staggered setup and the word from RavSpec was that even the JDM guys aren't going staggered. Fast S2K guys often go from the OEM staggered setup to non-staggered.

If you are doing it for looks fine, but if you are doing it for handling, I wouldn't suggest it.

I also wouldn't suggest 19s, for looks, ride quality and performance reasons.

There is a difference between a well stated perspective with sound reasoning behind it (like yours - Dave-ROR) and a comment that doesn't try to help (like #87's). I never said his was wrong. I only stated that it had nothing to do with what I asked, so for him to bring up something irrelevant to talk down on isn't exactly good either. I do admit to going a bit further than that, but that is the biggest thing I see on this forum whenever wheels are general topic.

You clearly stated the sound reasoning I mentioned. Thank you for that. The fact that you mentioned the S2K non-staggered move is a pretty big message.

The stock wheels are 17x7. How much of a difference would 18x8 or 18x8.5 make?

Kev

I run 17x8s with 235/40/17s which made a huge difference.

Whether or not 18x8s with 235/35/18s would be better or not would depend on multiple factors. I'd guess the difference in performance would be marginal either way with an increase in harshness with the 18s.

Your thread subject line is flawed and you're contradicting it in your posts.

That being said, wheels are the jewelry of a car and each person will pick something different. Toss on those 19's and have fun! I can guarantee you there will be very few dedicated track cars running 19" wheels and they will definitely be non-staggered.

19's will force you to have virtually no sidewall to keep the overall diameter even close to stock.

The ride will suffer.

I did say that I prefer the look of the 19" wheels, but that's not what I asked about. I asked nothing about ride comfort or what you think looks best. If it settles the question that isn't being asked, I will most likely go with 18" wheels to keep the performance characteristics. I just said that I prefer the look of 19"s. The question at hand regards wheel width.

"...would you want your front and rear wheels to be the same width? How would it effect grip between the front and rear?"