Wheel Setup

[mr299ron]

Anyone on here running 18s?

I don't know whether to drop it a little lower and run 17s, or stick on 18s and not have to go as low. I've seen 18s setups on google etc, but I want to know if anyone on here has had any issues first hand.

99ron

[markstevieandmads]

Read up on this..... It's a well known fact that best handling is with 16s and decent tyres.

I personally think anything over this and the car looks overwheeled.(if there is such a thing).


Anyway...thought u was leaving here?

[craig]

Absolutely nothing wrong with 17s. 18s are a bit on the big side.

16s/17s best compromise. 16s will provide a softer ride.

[Race Idiot]

It's all about unsprung weight, the ideal choice is going to be the smallest wheel you can fit over the brakes.

But then you take tyre choice into account and the fact that it's very hard to find any decent modern tyre compounds in the standard sizes nowadays most people will go up in size.

Even then tyre choice in 16 inch staggered sizes is a bit limited, although if you dont mind fudging your rolling radius a bit there are some tasty choices still.

17 inch choice is much better, lots of nice modern options for summer tyres but unless youve bought some very nice light forged wheels the extra unsprung mass makes itself apparent. Also depending on fitment you may need the arches rolled.

18's yeah I guess just buy the cheapest heaviest wheels ever and the cheapest tyres and then drive backwards into a hedge lol

[SonicSW20]

Read up on this..... It's a well known fact that best handling is with 16s and decent tyres.

I personally think anything over this and the car looks overwheeled.(if there is such a thing)

16inch tyre choice is becoming more limited every year though unfortunately.

16's vs 17's on the same style wheel:





I don't think 17's look to big personally!

[Race Idiot]

I like the look of 17's but I like the look of big baloon tyres on 16's too!

[SonicSW20]

16's with proper track day rubber does look good.

[craig]

Mine on 17" Enkei RP01:



Stickers have all been removed now!

Wouldn't say they look too big.

As above, lot more tyre choice available with 17s. Certainly not knocking 16s though. On my car, they'd look a bit small though.

[danjama]

I have staggered 18's. Not by choice, they came on the car and i'm saving for a nice set of 16's or 17's.

That said, the 18's don't feel as bad as I expected. Don't feel any heavier than my old 17" Enkeis. But I don't like how big they look.

For context, this is my 4th MR2, and i've used 15's, 16's, 17's and 18's.

The staggered 16's were my favourite, nice and light with great road feel.

[outrun]

16" balloons here, too.



205 45 and 245 45's.

[Nic]

16" balloons here, too.



205 45 and 245 45's.

The best wheel setup! Although I could be slightly biased

[LukeSi]

16" balloons here, too.



205 45 and 245 45's.

The best wheel setup! Although I could be slightly biased

Oooh they look good in that colour.
Definitely the best wheel choice...

I'm also slightly biased

[outrun]

Nic and Luke know the score

[tsango]

I have 18's but you have to have a stupidly low profile tyre on front. When I buy new wheels though I will go down to 17's so I can get a wider tyre on the rear. 16's deffo best for handling though.

[2barGee]

15/16's for handling 100%. 17/18's for looks.

I run 16's on the road and 15s on track. 17s and 18s just don't feel as responsive on turn in.

Our roads are rubbish for low profile tyres as well, i run a 35 profile on my impreza because of the huge brakes and you feel everything!!! I'm actually thinking of changing my brakes just so i can fit different wheels and tyres.