Subject: 18x8"s on a 200q20v?

[auditude at cox.net]

Dan Cordon <cord4530 at uidaho.edu> wrote:
> 
> <snip some background on 18" wheels>
> 
>  > I understand the wheels themselves weigh about 26lbs each (I would prefer
>  > 20-22lbs).  However, once I get wheels I'll be able to shed the G60's 
> and put
>  > on some big reds.  I don't know if the net weight would be lower (and 
> I know
>  > it's only unsprung and not rotating).
>  >
>  > If I got something way lighter like some kind of BBS or SSR or 
> something it
>  > would obviate many of those concerns, but those would be way more $$ 
> which is
>  > a factor.  Even so, I would still probably pursue 17"s if it wasn't 
> for this
>  > particular set that is available.
>  >
>  > I guess I'm mostly concerned about the tires being more expensive 
> than 17"
>  > tires, and that they will physically bolt onto the car without 
> interfering
>  > with anything.
>  >
>  > Any thoughts?
> 
> I ran 18" wheels on my civic for a while. Despite most of my state 
> having poor roads, the roads around where I live aren't bad at all. I 
> can say that the weight difference will be noticeable. Add that to the 
> slightly taller tire height and you'll notice for sure. It's not 
> horrible, but putting on some light 15's will make the car feel faster.
> 
> 18" tires are more, but the prices are coming down pretty fast as people 
> are putting 19's and 20's on, and factory cars are coming with 18's now. 
>   I wouldn't expect to pay much more than $75-100 for the set over 
> equivalent 17" tires.
> 
> Something to keep in mind is how much harder it is on tires to mount and 
> dismount with the lower profile. Our local shops only recommend 2 mounts 
> and dismounts for a 35 or 40 series tire. Apparently the sidewalls can 
> develop tears in them from too much mount/dismounting. If you get low 
> profile tires, plan on mounting them once and removing them when they're 
> low on tread. If you need frequent flat repairs (lots of nails and 
> screws on your road), count on replacing tires frequently too.
> 
> Also, *any* pothole, even if just hit once, can damage the tire and/or 
> wheel. I wouldn't even consider 18's in an area with a moderate amount 
> of potholes.
> 
> Don't buy tires that do not have the rim protector cast in them. As hard 
> as you try, you will eventually catch the edge of a curb. The rim 
> protector will keep damage to a minimum.
> 
> As it is, I went several years running 35 series tires and 18" rims w/o 
> damage or flats, but it was a constant battle. I'm switching to 16" 
> wheels on the civic, and will run 17" max on the audis. I've found that 
> 45-50 series sticky tires actually handle much better than 35 series 
> street tires ever will. But there's no question that the 35 series tires 
> and wheels looked a lot more stunning.

[this thread drifted over to the main list, but I'll leave it there]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the reply.  I actually decided against the 18" 
wheels I was considering, I guess.  I posted them in the 
marketplace if anyone is interested.  

http://www.audifans.com/marketplace/show.php?table=pm_audifans_Parts&id=463

I thought it was a ridiculously great deal, and it's hard 
for me to pass them up.  I almost decided to get them, 
considering things such as the current Maxima having 18"s 
stock (I believe), and they don't look exactly lightweight.

By the way, as far as the wheels fitting on a 200q20v, I did 
end up finding a post about that one that ran some 18x8.5" 
BBS LM's, so they can fit if desired.

I ran 17"s on my Saturn for a while, and they made it much 
slower and the ride was worse.  I went back to stock, also 
partly because those cars shake under acceleration when 
lowered due to some axle angle thing (what cheese!).

I haven't seen a real pothole yet in my 5 years in Arizona, 
at least not the kind that I think east coasters have to 
contend with.  There is quite a bit of road construction at 
times tho'.

I hadn't heard that about the limited mount/dismount life of 
low profile tires.  That makes sense.

Next time I buy tires, I'll be sure to look for the rim 
guard.  My Coupe GT has no such guard, but the (17" Revo) 
wheel spokes themselves are a bit convex and I already 
scraped one of them on something somewhere. :(  Maybe I'll 
redo them in dark gray someday.

Cheers,

Ken