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11-16-2007, 11:28 PM | #1 |
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17" vs. 18" wheels (135i with SportPackage)
What do you think of getting 17" wheels for the 135i with sport package?
It's a no-charge option, while the 128i is NOT offered the 18" even WITH sports package. Why consider it as a downgrade because of mere size? My question is, specifically, wouldn't 17" provide a better ride quality in daily urban driving? We'll be driving pot holes, road debris and rough pavement much more often than smooth hairpin turns. Sure 18s would be stiffer for cornering, but at what level near the limit would it become noticeable -- over 120mph? |
11-17-2007, 01:20 AM | #2 | |
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11-17-2007, 08:53 AM | #3 | |
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11-17-2007, 01:05 PM | #7 |
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as a dealer i bet we almost 100% of the time order the 18's as thats the norm.. i suggest you get a set of winters if you need em as the benifets far out way chosing the 17's//
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11-19-2007, 07:27 PM | #8 | |
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I would personally prefer to use 17" inch wheels all the time. the front tires with 18s are pretty damn thin. getting 17s would be less expensive, for both the rims and the tires, and you'd have a bit more cushion, plus the wheels will weigh less. as someone else previously mentioned, a good idea would be to trade the 18s for 17s+cash. slap winter tires on the 17s and then get some aftermarket wheels in the size of your choosing. |
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11-20-2007, 01:27 AM | #9 |
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I recently switched back to my stock 17" wheels from my aftermarket 18" with the same brand/model tire, and my passengers actually complained that the ride was worse. They say it's more bumpy/bouncy.
But I tell them :middlefin because I'm not going to pay to repair another bent rim |
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11-20-2007, 08:35 AM | #11 |
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11-20-2007, 09:14 AM | #12 |
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To answer the OP's question, yes 17in tires will ride better then 18's, there is more sidewall to flex and absorb the bumps/ protect the rims. More importanty then size perhaps is type. Losing the run flats will be a big step, and then moving from a performance tire to all season or even touring will also help ride quality. A 17in sport tire will have a stiffer sidewall then an 18in touring tire (if one exists).
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11-20-2007, 07:05 PM | #13 |
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I was planning on getting 17's to put winters on and buying aftermarket 17's or 18's non-staggered for summer. I do like the idea of ordering the 18's and trading with a 128i owner, even if I didn't get much or any extra cash out of it and make two happy 1 owners.
In a recent issue of Grassroots Motorsports they tested many different cheap/free/easy modifications to the suspension in a wrx wagon doing laps on an autocross after each and posting the results. Using the same tire, obviously in different sizes, they lost time when switching to the larger wheel. |
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12-08-2007, 07:43 PM | #14 |
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I see what you are saying about getting 17's to mount snows onto and then picking up wheels aftermarket. Not a bad idea. Is the suspension calibrated differently with smaller wheels? More tire=more cushion or spring in the tire that has to be controlled.... I'm still looking into the options myself. Is there a wheel available that was similar to the ZHP wheels? I saw one in Jersey last Summer and it looked good. That was a tough wheel to keep clean on my old car but it looked good especially on dark colors.
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