The 18 inch performance package is only a few hundred $$ more than than the stock 17 inch. Is 18 better? Stiffer?

I found 17 a little bit soft, tried 19 with sport tuned suspension a little bit too tight (not as bumpy as Z though).

What's the main advantage / disadvantage of a larger wheel?


TIA.

 

bigger wheel = smaller tire wall, usually means less tire roll and therefor better cornering. depending on what tire also. cons - more unsprung weight (depending on brand) = slower acceleration

there is about a hundred ways to overcome this. lightweight 18's or 19's and a lightweight tire (toyos are about an average of 2lbs lighter than other tire brands). but a lighter compound does not generally have more traction than for instance a bridgestone s03. it's all personal preference.

basically - are you going to get aftermarket wheels? if so, go with what's cheaper. if you may want to stick with what you've got, you may get better 'handling' out of the larger wheels, and can replace tires later. this is a small, small portion of possibilities.

i hope this helps.

 

the 18s come with better rubber. they also look nicer. get them!

 

could u just get smaller tires (rubber) on 17's? so u stay low weight, and decrease side wall size and increasing stiffness? is that bad to do?

dun flame me haha just an idea...

 

what about 19''?

 

So all you'd achieve is a bigger wheelgap, speedo/odometer error (it will show more miles than you've actually driven!) and possibly your VDC will be thrown off.

I personally like the 18", they ride stiffer and look better. Buy a base car with 17" only if you plan on upgrading the wheels.

 

I say go with the cheapest wheels, so you can upgrade to aftermarket wheels later! I went with the base model G, because I knew I was going to upgrade things to aftermarket. My G is progressing, so she doesn't look base model anymore!

G's up...

 

it really depends if you want to spend the money aftermarket (personal prefs)
Not everyone wants to deal with that.

The 17"/stock are not as wide, and are 50 series
The 18"/performance are 225 front, 245 reaer and 45 series
the 19"/sports tuned are 225/245 40 series and also are forged wheels which are lighter.
Also keep in mind (since you are asking at all, this must be an automatic) that ONLY the 19"/sports tuned comes with the limited slip differeintial package

I drove them all, and yes the 19" sports package is stiffer and all, the first time you trow it into a corner or have to dodge some moron that cut you off.... you thank god you had every bit of it.

Don't get me wrong, and of the wheel packages give you a great car.

 

My son has just turned 1000 miles on his G35 Coupe with the "sports suspension" !

Yes, his car has a firmer/stiffer ride... it does seem to be loosening up a bit. We had the same experience with a new Q 45 back in 1993. It's ride was very HARSH for the first thousand miles or so... but then loosened up... becoming a very confortable/sporty package!