Wheel Decision Help Needed

[qcbaker]

Since winter is going to be ending soon, I'm going to be switching from Blizzaks to a summer tire. I like the idea of keeping the Blizzaks mounted on the stock wheels and buying another set of wheels for summer and just switching wheel sets whenever I need to switch tire types in the future. Originally, I was thinking I would just get another set of the stock wheels, but while looking for places to buy those, I started to also consider the 18" TRD wheels as a possible choice for my "summer wheel". Since I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to wheels/tires, I have some questions:

Will there be a significant noticeable difference in ride quality switching from the stock 17" wheels to these? I know the general consensus is "bigger wheel=shorter sidewall=worse ride quality", but I'm skeptical that the difference is really that significant.

If I go with the 18" wheels, should I get the 18x7 ones or the 18x7.5 ones? Is the extra half inch of width "worth it" either performance-wise or aesthetically?

If I go with the 18" wheels, will I need to get my car aligned each time I switch wheel sets?

If I get a second set of wheels, I know I'll need to get a second set of TPMS's mounted and paired or the light will always be on. Unless the process of getting the dealer to switch which sensors the car is paired with is way easier than I think, I'm most likely gonna just put the stock TPMS's on the summer wheel, and just deal with having that light on in the winter.

I would love to hear anyone else's experiences with having separate wheel/tire setups for each season.

[qcbaker]

Apparently Toyota recommends getting the 18x7 for the fronts and 18x7.5 for the rears. Any advantage to a staggered setup like that? Does this make tire rotation harder?

[Leonardo]

I don't have TPMS in my wheels. I have a tire pressure gauge in the glove box.


Ride quality is only minimally effected by upsizing to a 18 from 17. Springs and shocks have 90% to do with ride quality.


IMO, 18x8 is a great size. You can find most wheels designs in this size. For the cost and weight of the TRD wheels, you can get enkei wheels that are cheaper and lighter weight. (not to mention many many other wheels)


No, an alignment is not needed to swap wheels on and off. (I guess it could be if the tires were drastically different OD)


The car can only sense one set of four sensors at a time. Meaning you won't have them in one set of wheels. (you can go to the dealership and get another set programed - but the hassle IMO is not worth it.)


Yes, IMO a wider wheel looks better. It also holds the tire better. I like a slight stretch. A 215/40/18 on a 18x8 feels better than a 245/35 on the same wheel.


The car fits a huge range of sized wheels. Many guys are running 16x6.5 wheels - they are stock in other countries. I personally think the sweet spot is a 9" wide 17 or 18 with a +30 to +40 offset. These wheels paired with a 225 to 245 tire make a great summer setup IMO.


I have had 17x7, 17x7.5, 18x8, and 18x9 wheels on my car. I've had several staggered setups in the past. IMO, It's ok for rocketbunny or high hp cars, but for most cars, Square is much better.


TRD Japan says that the suggested tire is a 225/40/18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport.
http://www.trdparts.jp/english/86_pe...rts_wheel.html


Are you looking at these wheels? The TRD SF2?
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11419


The stock 17x7 weighs 20.6lbs. So finding wheels that are lighter weight is not very hard.


I would suggest getting 18x8 wheels, with a +25 to +40 offset, and 225/40/18 tires. I'm planning on getting the new MPS4S as my next set.

[qcbaker]

@Leonardo

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Sounds like I'll have minimal problems going up to 18s if I choose to do that. Good to know.

These are the wheels I'm considering btw:

18x7.5 +35 offset



Look like this mounted:



As for tires, I was considering the Super Sports you mentioned, as well as the Pilot Sport 4S. Although I'm not really sure how much difference between the two I would able to feel since my experience is pretty limited. Isnt the 4S just the newer version?

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by qcbaker

@Leonardo

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Sounds like I'll have minimal problems going up to 18s if I choose to do that. Good to know.

These are the wheels I'm considering btw:

18x7.5 +35 offset



Look like this mounted:



As for tires, I was considering the Super Sports you mentioned, as well as the Pilot Sport 4S. Although I'm not really sure how much difference between the two I would able to feel since my experience is pretty limited. Isnt the 4S just the newer version?

Thanks!


I like the look. They actually come staggered. 18x7 & 18x7.5. they suggest 215/225 stagger.
https://parts.toyota.com/p/Scion__FR...TR5618130.html


You could buy (if they will sell them) four rear wheels. This is what I would suggest if you have to have these wheels. Not being able to rotate is a pain.


Plus, like I said before, I really think a 18x8 all around is better than 18x7.5. There are a ton of wheels in the $260 ea. price range. Plus they are cast. TSW has forged wheels that are very close to this price. You may like the Interlagos.


This info on the page says the center bore is only 54mm. This can't be right? Because our cars have a 56.1 center bore. Has everyone bored their wheels that has them on a twin? IDK...




IIRC, The MPS4S is the newer version of the MPSS. It also have a 320 tread wear compared to 300. The tires seem to be slightly narrower and lighter weight in some sizes I have compared.

[Busybee]

Originally Posted by qcbaker

Since winter is going to be ending soon, I'm going to be switching from Blizzaks to a summer tire. I like the idea of keeping the Blizzaks mounted on the stock wheels and buying another set of wheels for summer and just switching wheel sets whenever I need to switch tire types in the future. Originally, I was thinking I would just get another set of the stock wheels, but while looking for places to buy those, I started to also consider the 18" TRD wheels as a possible choice for my "summer wheel". Since I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to wheels/tires, I have some questions:

Will there be a significant noticeable difference in ride quality switching from the stock 17" wheels to these? I know the general consensus is "bigger wheel=shorter sidewall=worse ride quality", but I'm skeptical that the difference is really that significant.

If I go with the 18" wheels, should I get the 18x7 ones or the 18x7.5 ones? Is the extra half inch of width "worth it" either performance-wise or aesthetically?

If I go with the 18" wheels, will I need to get my car aligned each time I switch wheel sets?

If I get a second set of wheels, I know I'll need to get a second set of TPMS's mounted and paired or the light will always be on. Unless the process of getting the dealer to switch which sensors the car is paired with is way easier than I think, I'm most likely gonna just put the stock TPMS's on the summer wheel, and just deal with having that light on in the winter.

I would love to hear anyone else's experiences with having separate wheel/tire setups for each season.

Hi,

Just wondering if you got the TRD wheels (shown on the yellow car). If you dont mind I would like to read your answers in your original post. BTW did you go with the 4 rear wheels? 18x7.5(x4). Any pictures will be appreciated.

I realy really like the look of these wheels and curious if they would perfectly fit to the 2019 bRZ. Thanks

[86MLR]

What are your roads like.

I personally like more sidewall for the street.

17" tyres in your size are usually a fair bit cheaper than 18"

I'm running Enkei RPF-1 (cheap, light, strong) 17 x 8 with RE003 235/45 17, good allround tyres.

My prefered tyre for warm weather is the RS4, the RE003's were a compromise because I needed something better in the wet than the RS4.

The RS4's are miles better than the RE003's in the dry though.

Stupid compromises......

Have fun choosing

[Will BRZ]

Well yeah everything has its pros, cons, and compromises. 17s are cheaper and lighter, but some would argue that 18s look better. Just depends on your goals and what is important to you.

Tires I think are the same way. Personally, I can live with a really good summer, performance tire that isn't so good in the rain/winter, but all that kinda comes down to where you live really. So many choices...

[why?]

I like a lot more sidewall. 16's and 205/55 are excellent. Oh and RPF1's in 16x 7 are 13 pounds.

[DarkPira7e]

If you upgrade your wheel, go with at least an 8" width with an offset that fills in the wheel well gap. 18x8 +35 with a 225/40r18 tire would really make the car handle well and look perfect. But, opinions are like assholes - everyone has one. I'm all for a lightweight summer wheel/tire combination.

For your winters, I'd go with the smallest wheel size and smallest width possible. I run a 16x7 with a 205/60 tire - you want the thinnest, tallest tire you can fit for snow driving. The thin help you float less, the tall helps it squish more to conform without losing its contact patch.

if you get nit picky like me, you can use this link to view tire weight as well. Since it's on the outside of the wheel, it has the potential to impact the rotating inertia quite a bit. https://tiresize.com Search by brand and find the tire model and size.

[qcbaker]

Originally Posted by Busybee

Hi,

Just wondering if you got the TRD wheels (shown on the yellow car). If you dont mind I would like to read your answers in your original post. BTW did you go with the 4 rear wheels? 18x7.5(x4). Any pictures will be appreciated.

I realy really like the look of these wheels and curious if they would perfectly fit to the 2019 bRZ. Thanks

Sorry for the late reply, but I ended up going with a different set of wheels. I got a set of Sparco Pro Corsa 18x8 +45 in Matte Dark Titanium. They have a similar look, but were much cheaper. If I had to get the TRD ones, I would get 4 rears.

As for the answers to the questions I originally asked, here are the answers as I currently understand them:

Will there be a significant noticeable difference in ride quality switching from the stock 17" wheels to these? I know the general consensus is "bigger wheel=shorter sidewall=worse ride quality", but I'm skeptical that the difference is really that significant.

I didn't really notice much of a difference.

If I go with the 18" wheels, should I get the 18x7 ones or the 18x7.5 ones? Is the extra half inch of width "worth it" either performance-wise or aesthetically?

Wider wheels do fill out the wheel wells better and have a cleaner look than the stock wheels. I didn't notice much difference in performance, but all things being equal, wider tires would give you more grip than narrower ones. Performance benefits would be very tire-dependent, plus I didn't track or autoX the car so I probably didn't drive the car hard enough to notice the difference in grip level.

If I go with the 18" wheels, will I need to get my car aligned each time I switch wheel sets?

Nope