Difference between 17" rims and 18" rims

[edpapaj13]

I had 18" on my car, triple chromed lexani Krystals and I've had some problems so i'm shopping for new rims. I'm thinking of getting 17" ( Maybe Lexani, something like these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...h=007

since ride was really harsh with the 18". Anyone knows if the ride is much different or should I just stick to a different pair of 18"? I like the chrome look or maybe black with polished lip. Any info would be helpful.

[davskins97]

I would think the ride would get softer considering there would be more air between the rim and tire with the 17's. I am assuming the od of the tire will be the same. Do they salt the roads in Philly? If so, you might not want a polished lip as the salt will take the finish off of it. I went with a fully painted wheel since I live in Wisconsin, the anodized aluminum wheels look like hell after a couple of winters.

[edpapaj13]

Yeah they do salt them but I used to use the rims only in the summer or between april and september. I just loved the way the 18" looked and i'm wondering how the 17" would look but If the ride is a lot better then I would sacrifice putting 17 on it. Thanks!!

[Sentientbydesign]

I have 17s on my I30 and I'm happy. I personally think those ebay rims are hideous (sorry).

Then again, I also have lowering springs and stiff struts

[davskins97]

Um, I missed the link the first time around, and I had to completely agree with Sentient. Dude, don't put those on your classy infinity.

[Gman8990]

i third the motion... those are more truck looking rims

[edpapaj13]

Wow, I see a lot of people aren't too crazy about the rims :-). Even my best friend said he wouldn't get in my car if I put them on hahaha, but I always liked lexani though. So far mostl likely i'm sticking with 17". If anyone has any good suggestions about rim brands or links. My car is Pear while with Tinted windows. I'm not too crazy about thin spokes. I like chrome rims because I don't know how black rims would look for my car. I don't think it'd look that nice since it white...

[Sentientbydesign]

You'd be really surprised. If you go with a mostly black rim, it will look great.

I love my hyper black Motegis. They look like a dark chrome, but with a little less harshness. When polished, they are WOW!

I really suggest you cut down your options by looking for something lightweight and strong, then see what you have for options.

Heavy rims will make you once you see that pass you by.

[edpapaj13]

I went to tirerack and there are so many options for rims. Now i'm thinking that maybe it wasn't just the size of the rims that made the ride horrible but maybe cause the rims weighed about 50lb each. Maybe If I get lighter 18" the ride will be better. It's hard getting rims though. These are the rims I liked for some time but they are heavy too.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2740563

I'd consider maybe something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...66483

[Trav1s]

I really suggest you cut down your options by looking for something lightweight and strong, then see what you have for options.

+1

As for the ride with the 18's - it is directly related to the size and stiffness of the side wall. Lower profile tires 50/45/40/35 series tend to have a very firm sidewall to improve handling (and protect the wheel).

IMO weight does not directly impact ride, it however does impact acceleration and handling.

We are back to compromise and which way to compromise: Are you willing to compromise performance for looks or are you willing to compromise looks for performance. Pick you poison...

[davskins97]

He started this post by saying he was looking for a smoother ride. The 17's will improve that. There just isn't much tire between the wheel and the road when you put an 18" rim on your car. The reduction in air volume in the tire cause it to ride rougher. Basically the larger the rim, the closer you are getting to riding on an a solid steel wheel.Heavier vs. Lighter is primarily going to affect performance. A heavier wheel could ride smoother because it would have more resistance to the change in direction caused by bumps in the road. I think that might be hard to perceive.I've seen black wheel on white I30/max's, and I think it looks good provided you pick a nice wheel design. Your taste in chrome wheels is totally out of phase with mine, guess I can't really help you there. I think any wheel with some color, smoke, gray, anthracite, black, etc. will contrast well against the white.What do you think of this?http://www.tirerack.com/wheels...Brand

[Trav1s]

He started this post by saying he was looking for a smoother ride. The 17's will improve that. There just isn't much tire between the wheel and the road when you put an 18" rim on your car. The reduction in air volume in the tire cause it to ride rougher. Basically the larger the rim, the closer you are getting to riding on an a solid steel wheel.Heavier vs. Lighter is primarily going to affect performance. A heavier wheel could ride smoother because it would have more resistance to the change in direction caused by bumps in the road. I think that might be hard to perceive.

17's should improve the ride... However, it is important to remember the tire on the 17's make alot of difference. Been there, done that on the stock 17's on our car. Just because he moved to a 17" wheel combo does not guarantee the ride will improve.

[XIII]

The difference between 17 and 18... hahaha 1 inch

sorry I couldnt help it...

[davskins97]

Very true Trav1s. I guess I was working under the premise that it would be the same type of tire for an apple to apple comparison. However, since the 18 is pushing the limit of what fits in the hub I would expect almost any 17" combo to ride better. My car had stock 17"s with Cooper Lifeliners and I swapped them out to Flik Lex 17"s with Falken Zeix 512's and noticed no change in the ride quality. Now when I ride in my boss' S-line A4 or my coworkers Subaru STI, I feel like I am getting pounded to death.

[XIII]

i just clicked on the link to the rims... oh god please dont get those things... they are ugly... sorry i dont mean to insult you but they dont look good at all...

go to http://www.tirerack.com they have a large selection of wheels... and you can see them on your car.

D.

[Trav1s]

Very true Trav1s. I guess I was working under the premise that it would be the same type of tire for an apple to apple comparison. However, since the 18 is pushing the limit of what fits in the hub I would expect almost any 17" combo to ride better. My car had stock 17"s with Cooper Lifeliners and I swapped them out to Flik Lex 17"s with Falken Zeix 512's and noticed no change in the ride quality. Now when I ride in my boss' S-line A4 or my coworkers Subaru STI, I feel like I am getting pounded to death.

I was pushing for clarity (That's my habit or agenda with internet forums.). My assumption is also that by moving from an 18" combo to a 17" combo would be better if all things are the same. But you know that likely won't happen. (I can imagine the post: I got new tires and wheels as everyone suggested and the ride is no different than before....)

[Sentientbydesign]

Ok, I'll clarify my advice.

Get a lighter 17" rim in whatever looks good to you (But if I ever see you car with ugly rims, you'll come out of the mall and your car will be on BLOCKS!!! lol).

Go with a Touring tire. That should improve ride quality by a lot.

You might also have your suspension checked out. That makes a huge difference too.

[edpapaj13]

Thanks to all for the info. All has been very helpfull to narrow down my selection.

Davskins97, I saw the motegi rims but they look too sporty for me. The ones below is as sporty as I'd go.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...h=012

I think I should just see what looks good and aim for either 17 or 18". I'm not too crazy about performance but definitely would like the rims too look good and not mess up the ride as bad. The previous rims messed up my alignment really bad, and my shocks too I think. I appreciate all the advice and def get the opinion of rims that I come across maybe someone would have experience with them

[davskins97]

That one is a little too busy for my liking, but I can see why you would like it. It is definitely the best looking wheel of the couple you have identified thus far (except it's an 18). You gotta get what you like, because you are the one that will be looking at it everyday. Even if the rest of us hate it, it's still your ride. When I get all the salt of my car I'm gonna post some pics of it with my wheels so everyone can tell me what they think.

[edpapaj13]

Actually that rim would look decent on my car but you might be right, it does look like there's a lot going on with it. The good thing is that I can see it up close cause he's in the same city as I am. I will keep looking thought see what comes up. The only thing I know is my price range which is 500 Max rims/tires which isn't a lot so most likely the rims will be used..

[davskins97]

Yeah, a budget will certainly narrow down the choices for you. Even a cheap set of tires new are going to run $350-$400. So if you are looking for rims and tires for $500 you are definitely looking used. I spent $700+ on my Fliks and Falkens new and neither of those are very expensive brands.

[Sentientbydesign]

I would check into take off rims from a G35 sedan or a 350Z. They look awesome on the Maxs!!!

[davskins97]

For $500 with tires? They do look sweet, but I'm not sure edpapa would agree.

[edpapaj13]

You mean something like these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...02758

I kinda like them actually. I had a G35x loaner and the rims looked very nice.

[Sentientbydesign]

Yeah. I personally think they look better on the Max/I30 than they do on the G35.

Check with your local dealership. You can negotiate with them since they are used and don't have a retail value any more.

$200 for a set of rims would be a pretty good deal if you could get them that low. I have the hook ups out here, so I can get them for $50-$75.

[edpapaj13]

I will try to find them locally from seller but it seems they are hard to find. If I find a set for 4-500 I'd def get them. I will search cardomain see how they look if someone has them on their I30