wheel/tire experiance

[BiXLL]

I am posting this here on purpose, I love the vert people, but have had nothing but bad experiences in the rest of Nicco, if mods feel it must be moved, please just delete instead.

A while back I asked you guys about wheel opinions. Sooooo many of you guys advised me to go with 17" wheels, for the looks. I am 50 years old, and want the best possible ride out of my vert, and have always been told that the oversized wheels and thin sidewall tires provided a TERRIBLE RIDE!!!!

Well by complete accident, I came across a deal that is hard to turn down. I can get these 17x7 with 205x40x17 tires with 75% tread left on them for $350.00 local.

Does anybody know what that wheel is? Can anybody honestly tell me I won't make a MAJOR sacrifice in ride quality by going with a set up like this?

[DeXteR]

My 24 year old hind quarters pay no attention to "ride quality" so to speak, so I can't really give you any input. They're nice looking wheels and 17's aren't going to ride that poorly. Sure, they're +2, but the 15" stock rubber is huge.

Besides, you can't tell me that you're THAT concerned about ride quality in a 15 year old car from japan...

See if you can test drive them.

[BiXLL]

LOL, yeah the car is old, but so am I!!! I want to give it the best opportunity to provide a good ride. (just like my wife does LOL)

With the potholes of Northwestern Pa, I just can't help but imagine those things just shattering should 1 be hit too hard with no sidewall to speak of to obsorb the shock. That is also what makes me believe the ride would be terrible from this set up. PLEASE, tell me I am wrong, I think those wheels for the price would look great on the vert!

[TIMELSS_vert]

there is going to be a difference, no doubt. as Dex mentioned, the stock tires are huge compared to whats on those 17s. BUT, a 40 series tire isn't unruly, how ever, that is the smallest I would go if you are really concerned with ride quality. Any smaller and you will literally feel the bumps of cross walk signs on the pavement with a stiff suspension.

If I were to pick tires out for you, I would probably have gone just a smidge high in sidewall, like a 45 series, but if those are for a price thats hard to turn down, I say DO IT!!

Cheers buddy, post pictures if it goes through!

[240DrpTop]

I'm wondering if those 17's will fit with stock struts.You might want to physically try one before you fork over any cash. I was under the assumption that I would need a coil over set-up for clearance to run 17's.Maybe someone can clear this up for us?

[BiXLL]

I'm wondering if those 17's will fit with stock struts.You might want to physically try one before you fork over any cash. I was under the assumption that I would need a coil over set-up for clearance to run 17's.Maybe someone can clear this up for us?

Oh Geez!!! That would be my luck, buy them and then find out I need to replace struts to use them! I am starting to think I would be better off forgetting about this deal anyway!

[Loki]

I went from stocks to 16" Enkeis and I never noticed a change in ride comfort.

[ishkabibble]

you can't tell me that you're THAT concerned about ride quality in a 15 year old car from japan...

It's an old fart thing... you wouldn't understand. One of the reasons I like the NX more than the vert is that the NX can outhandle an S13 without a bone-jarring ride.

Your going to have a slightly rougher ride with 40 series tires and your car is going to feel more sluggish with larger wheels and the added unsprung weight. It's not going to be MAJOR, but you will probably notice the difference. Bolt 2 of the wheels up and see if they rub and if you like the look.

[GoinTopless240]

Hey BiXLL,Not a bad looking rim... Do you know what the offset is ?? That size is usually a Honda Sizing, meaning that it would have a High offset and give you that "sunken" look and depending on the rim width could cause you some issues with the strut clearance. If you find out that everything is good on fitment, then onto the tires. Look at the load index on the tire (the numbers after the P205/40r17 "99X". It needs to be an 89 or better. The letter is probably an V or Z,W,Y. If it is lower than 89, then you need to run more air pressure than stock to make the tire strong enough to hold the weight of the vehicle... unless you want to end up with some bent rims quick (probably the biggest mistake most people make when playing the upsize game)..... Now with higher pressure comes...... you guessed it .. harsh ride... hope it helps you out.. hate to see anyone spend some hard earned cash something .. only to find out it was money wasted... if you have any other questions, let me know..

Ride quality. I don't think it would be terrible. Being right around the corner from you age wise and having had back surgery, I can sympathize with you on that one. Getting the "right" set up will make all the difference with it riding more firm with better handling, and less harsh and bone jarring.

[BiXLL]

Ah heck with it!! I am going back to my origanal plan of staying with 15" wheels! I'm old, so I am allowed!!!!! LOL

[cmkelly]

Excellent post! I've never replaced my stock rims/tires and had no idea there were considerations other than will it fit in the wheel well without rubbing. Non standard air pressure? Bent rims? Who knew.

I keep debating swapping out the wheels but the have to admit I like the standard issue just fine.

p.s. I also like my spine in its current alignment.....

[Eikon]

For what it's worth, I went to 18's and didn't notice much difference in ride quality. The different is that I've got 8 and 9" width, which makes the tires track a little different when you hit uneven pavement. No biggie.. but that difference was more prominent than any more bumpy.

Those wheels would fit just fine Bill. I had a set of 17x7 +42 offsets on my 'vert previously and they were just fine. Some 20mm spacers would be great as they would push out the wheels just right so they look flush.

If you want to settle this debate once and for all.. You'll just have to try a set out.

Try making it out to Carlisle, PA from May 9-11. There will be a lot of NICO people there with all kinds of different wheels. You could ask for a ride from someone with stock suspension and 17" wheels. Or, I bet you could even find someone willing to let you swap their wheels onto your car for a little bit so you could test them out and be sure.

I think those wheels look great, by the way. They would be very sharp on your car.

[biggie]

They wouldn't be bad. I have 17x7 +33 215/45 on my coupe (will be replaced soon), but its not a bad ride at all. But as mentioned I would go with a 215/45 over a 205/40 on that 17x7.

Also could be better to save your money and go for something you really want, instead of just jumping at a decent deal and not being happy later on.

[ishkabibble]

JustgetS14orP11 G20mesh15"wheelsalready

[BiXLL]

JustgetS14orP11 G20mesh15"wheelsalready

Boy you DC guys sure don't have much patiance! LOL

[ishkabibble]

Boy you DC guys sure don't have much patiance! LOL

No kidding. That's one reason why I want to move to PA.

[DeXteR]

That's coming pretty close to Canada, eh?

[Black Comet]

That's coming pretty close to Canada, eh?

Not nearly as close as Saginaw! or the desolate tundra that is Green Bay.

[danstachet]

you have to remember though that a 215/45 will be taller than a 205/45. not by much, but it will be. And also you said you might stick with a 15" wheel, which isnt a bad idea. I think S13's look good with smaller wheel set up, just my opinion. My buddy has 15" SSR Meshies on his coupe and they're hot. Just go with a good set of 15's or 16's and throw a good size set of tires on em and you'll be fine. Then you'll definitely not have to worry about comfort issues. I rode around with coil overs and 50 series tire on my 16's in a four seasons state (TONS OF POT HOLES) and it wasn't really that bad.

[tennisitis]

ok.. from one old fart to another... I can say that cuz I'm 62.. I put some 17 x 8 +30's on my convertible and love it.. I also added KYB AGX adjustables and Megan springs to lower the ride height... even with 40 series tires (Federals) it rides great once I got rid of the s13 seats and upgraded to s14's... oh and the hugh sway bars seem to help as well... no ciol overs... they're a pain in the a**.