Re: Wheel Sizes

[JustaxPHX@aol.com]

>So do big tires and wheels and, with a shorter sidewall are more
>prone to deform metal rather than rubber when the do so.  Just ask Mike
>Spiers about his matching set of 17 inch diameter coffee table bases.

Leaving aside the effects of the extra weight and expense, and the possiblity 
of altering the OEM suspension geometry by using a taller wheel/tire combo, 
let me point out that running 17" wheels isn't automatically a guarantee that 
you will ultimately end up with matching coffee tables.

I've put 50k on the 8x17s on my '89 200q and 8k on the set on my Ur-Q and 
have exactly one minor flat spot to show for it ... and since that was caused 
by driving through a construction site that wasn't properly marked, I was 
able to get paid for replacing it by the contractor's insurance company even 
though I ultimately decided to live with it instead.

Of course, the roads here in Arizona are probably better than in most parts 
of the country but they're not perfect by any means and I still have to be 
careful about driving into potholes.  If you're careful, though, it's not 
difficult to either avoid them entirely or at least slow down before hitting 
them ... like I said, it hasn't been much of a problem at all and they do 
look nice.  :^)

JG