Wheel/Tire Questions Regarding Width

[Strife26]

Hey all,
I have been looking for a set of wheels/tires since my last post regarding size. Before I was looking at the trendy 18x9.5 setup that a lot of people seem to be doing, but a lot of people recommended sticking with 17" wheels. I was trying to find a set of 17x9 wheels, but it is hard to find a set that is a decent price/weight. A couple of sets are 17x8, and don't offer a 17x9. Does anyone know if there is a huge difference? Would you settle with 17x8 if the wheel was very light and the style you were looking for, or would you only settle for 17x9 style be damned.

I was also wondering if I did go 18x9-9.5, but I was able to drop 5-8 lbs per wheel, would it be worth it to go that route?

I do a lot of spirited driving and I Auto-X.

My searches haven't helped much, so I wanted to fall back on the community that knows way more than I do. All help is much appreciated!

[Ashikabi]

The lightest 17s I've found are the RPF1 by enkei and the k4r by kosei. I think other than those they start getting really expensive and the kosei is only available in 8 inch width. Probably won't notice that much of a difference. What I've seen is everyone says 9 inch for autocross and 7 inch for track(less weight in the tire cuz it's skinnier) so 8 isn't a bad compromise.

If looks are more important to you then get whatever is lightest out of the style you like. If performance is most important then the RPF1 and K4R are the only affordable options

[Strife26]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

The lightest 17s I've found are the RPF1 by enkei and the k4r by kosei. I think other than those they start getting really expensive and the kosei is only available in 8 inch width. Probably won't notice that much of a difference. What I've seen is everyone says 9 inch for autocross and 7 inch for track(less weight in the tire cuz it's skinnier) so 8 isn't a bad compromise.

If looks are more important to you then get whatever is lightest out of the style you like. If performance is most important then the RPF1 and K4R are the only affordable options

I was looking at both. I don't like the look of the RPF or PFs, but I am kind of considering them just for the weight. I also like the Kosei K4R, K6R, and the K8R (the style I like), but each of the Koseis only go to 8". I don't want to waste the money if there won't be much diff between 17x7 and 17x8, but then again, that weight is a massive difference. Subaru said the Series.blue wheels are 23lbs (I emailed them).

What about 18"? If the weight difference is great enough would a jump in dia not slow me down?

[gtpvette]

I just received my 949Racing 17x9 +40 wheels,, both price ($1036) and weight 17.4 are good!


17.4 lbs
Low pressure cast - Flow Formed outer rim - Monoblock construction
T6 heat treated
73.1mm center bore
Double valve design
JWL approved
VIA Certified
TPMS compatibe
Painted, clear coated finish
Cap included
Valves not included

[Ashikabi]

Originally Posted by Strife26

I was looking at both. I don't like the look of the RPF or PFs, but I am kind of considering them just for the weight. I also like the Kosei K4R, K6R, and the K8R (the style I like), but each of the Koseis only go to 8". I don't want to waste the money if there won't be much diff between 17x7 and 17x8, but then again, that weight is a massive difference. Subaru said the Series.blue wheels are 23lbs (I emailed them).

What about 18"? If the weight difference is great enough would a jump in dia not slow me down?

If you're worried about weight stay with 17s. If looks are more important then get 18. There is a performance difference. The lightest 18s I've seen are 18ish pounds and $450 each so to be affordable you have to go heavy(23#ish) which is half again the weight of the 17s. Unless you get RPF1s of course. If weight is the same, just wheel diameter is different it probably won't affect performance much

[Strife26]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

I just received my 949Racing 17x9 +40 wheels,, both price ($1036) and weight 17.4 are good!


17.4 lbs
Low pressure cast - Flow Formed outer rim - Monoblock construction
T6 heat treated
73.1mm center bore
Double valve design
JWL approved
VIA Certified
TPMS compatibe
Painted, clear coated finish
Cap included
Valves not included

Thanks. I will take a look at 949!

[Ashikabi]

They look like RPF1s

[Strife26]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

If you're worried about weight stay with 17s. If looks are more important then get 18. There is a performance difference. The lightest 18s I've seen are 18ish pounds and $450 each so to be affordable you have to go heavy(23#ish) which is half again the weight of the 17s. Unless you get RPF1s of course. If weight is the same, just wheel diameter is different it probably won't affect performance much

I was looking at these (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...odClar=Premium) strictly for price/weight ratio is pretty damn good. If I got those at 18.7lbs vs my 17x which are 23lbs, I wouldn't lose performance due to the increase in diameter would I?

Finding wheel has never been so hard, lol. I guess before I cared more for looks than performance though.