I was considering a set of ROH RT's 18's, I am going to get 18x10 on a 275/40/18 tire for the rear, and wanted to know what would be better for the front, a 18x8 or 18x9(since they don't have a 8.5") for the front on a 245/40 tire...The guy at the shop told me that a 9 inch would look better since I was going with a 10 in the back, but I heard that a 9 in the front hurts handling a little, and also is that too wide for a 245 tire? IF anybody can help I would appreciate it, thanks.

 

I would go 8" in the front - just make sure the offset is correct so that it doesn't look like it's sucked up into the wheelwell...

 

i know the wider the front wheel is the more pull u get when u go through a puddle or what ever but also a wider tires means more griping power there for better handleing but i think u will run in to under steer or what ever with larger front rims but i dont really know this just stuff i have herd from others i hope that helps.


O yeah the windes it is the cooler it looks. how about some 10.5 in the back

 

Well, two things:

1. The 18x8s will give you slightly better straightline accerlation due to lower rotational mass. Then again, so would 16x7 inch wheels, if you wanted to go that route.

2. The 18x8s are going to increase understeer under throttle versus the 18x9s. You've got more traction pushing the car in a straight line than you do turning it. To compensate, you'd probably need to let off the gas or tap the brakes at the beginning of a turn to shift more weight to the front wheels and point yourself in the desired direction before hitting the gas. It's slower, more herky-jerky and less smooth-handling a car than one with balanced wheels. But then when you hit the straight again, the small wheels have a tiny advantage.

Personally, I think a 2 inch width difference is a bit extreme unless you're building a street dragster. I'm not sure whether you should get more rubber for the 18x9s though.

-Jack
Obsidian/graphite '03 Coupe premium nav