Would you rather? Opinions Wanted.

17x9 or 18x8.5 What would you choose? (Not RPF1)

  • 17x9

    Votes: 5 41.7%
  • 18x8.5

    Votes: 7 58.3%

  • Total voters
    12

du_juan

Greenie N00B Member
Greenie Member
Hello everyone. Ok so I've officially decided on a set of wheels for the Speed, but cannot choice what size. My options are 17x9 +40 offset(no not rpf1's lol) and 18x8.5 +45. They are the same weight basically, the 17 weighs .08th of a pound more. So, the weight difference doesn't matter. Also, the faces of the wheels are pretty much exact as well. What would you guys choose and why?
Are their any pros and cons for either? Just curious of your opinions. Btw i own a Gen 1 if that makes any difference at all.
 
It would help if we knew what were looking other than size. if that's all that matted just buy them.

17's usually have cheaper tires
 
I like 18x8.5 because I feel they look proportional on our cars. 17s look a tad small to me. 17s are a good look for the track, but I like the look of 18s for the street.
 
I like 18x8.5 because I feel they look proportional on our cars. 17s look a tad small to me. 17s are a good look for the track, but I like the look of 18s for the street.

Really? I always liked the way 17s looked. I think I like the look of meatier tire though. Cars with thin sidewalls always looked funny to me.
DSC_9625.png
 
Anyone have 18s as a comparison photo?

I'll dig around to see if I find one. I'm curious to see this as well because I will need new wheels/tires in the near future due to my upgrades (traction).

Edit: I think I found a pic. Can't seem to be able to link it. I will attempt to upload.
Mississauga-20120406-00032.jpg.html
 
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I like a 17x9 with a meaty tire personally. Cheaper tires and a slightly larger sidewall are both nice things.

That being said, I am on a 18x8.5.
 
For those of you running 17s (with 40 sidewall) how much does gearing play a factor with daily driving? I know that 245/45/17 are pretty dead on with stock. But I am on stock suspension and I don't think they would fit.
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It would help if we knew what were looking other than size. if that's all that matted just buy them.

17's usually have cheaper tires
They are konig hypergram my friend.
 
For those of you running 17s (with 40 sidewall) how much does gearing play a factor with daily driving? I know that 245/45/17 are pretty dead on with stock. But I am on stock suspension and I don't think they would fit.
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They are konig hypergram my friend.
Why wouldn't they fit with stock suspension? I have 245/45 17 and they "fit" on my lowered car (rolled rear fenders)

Also what offset are you talking, that will matter

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Why wouldn't they fit with stock suspension? I have 245/45 17 and they "fit" on my lowered car (rolled rear fenders)

Also what offset are you talking, that will matter

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Hmm idk good question. I was just assuming. The offset is 40 btw.
 
17s FTW here. Cheaper tires, taller sidewalls to protect your rims, and better ride comfort (especially on Michelin PSSes, LOL). My understanding is that you have less rotational mass farther from the central axis, and that slightly taller sidewalls lend to better grip, too.
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For those of you running 17s (with 40 sidewall) how much does gearing play a factor with daily driving? I know that 245/45/17 are pretty dead on with stock. But I am on stock suspension and I don't think they would fit.
[doublepost=1477510304][/doublepost]
They are konig hypergram my friend.
245/45 - 17 are about 0.60" taller overall (25.68" vs. 25.09") on a Pu that normally has 225/40 - 18s. For me, I easily lost 0.3 to 0.4 seconds (60-100) when going from 225/40 - 18s to 245/45 -17s. I gained it back, and then some, when I went to 245/40 -17s. I roll 4.5-second 60-100s now on a not-pushing-timing tune.
 
Really? I always liked the way 17s looked. I think I like the look of meatier tire though. Cars with thin sidewalls always looked funny to me.
View attachment 4234

I do like the way they look, just not quite as much as 18s. Solely for aesthetics, and it's seriously a very marginal difference in which I like better. And yes, a meaty tire is a must have, no question about that. I run 17s at the track and love the look, but for the street I like a little less wheel gap and the proportions of my 18s. I'd say my sidewalls are far from thin looking, though I do agree with you that there are a lot of cars out there that have inappropriately sized tires on their 18s.

Someone asked for a comparison picture: 18x8.5 +45 with 245/40/18 lowered on H&R springs with Koni Yellows.
 
@Quigs Would I run into any issues with stock suspension and your kind of setup?

On large bumps you may rub in the rear. I have my fenders rolled flat, very slightly pulled, and the rear bump tab cut out. I did all that due to being lowered, but with the longer suspension travel and softer rates of the stock suspension you may still compress enough to rub if you try my setup without any fender modification. I unfortunately don't know 100% if you will rub or not, I can only speculate that you might based upon my experience with running the setup on my car.
 
On large bumps you may rub in the rear. I have my fenders rolled flat, very slightly pulled, and the rear bump tab cut out. I did all that due to being lowered, but with the longer suspension travel and softer rates of the stock suspension you may still compress enough to rub if you try my setup without any fender modification. I unfortunately don't know 100% if you will rub or not, I can only speculate that you might based upon my experience with running the setup on my car.
I rubbed on 245/45 - 17 (Bridgestone Potenza S-04s with 17x8s +42 offset) on my Pu, even after a fender roll (Swift Springs). No issues ever since going to 245/40s.
 
Ugh! I guess Ima have to toss a coin because I can't decide. But cheaper tires is never a bad thing lol.
 
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