Benefits of Wider Wheels

[2ksev6]

I'm looking to get some new rims, probably today or tomorrow. I'd like them to be wider than the stock 16x6's that I'm rocking now, which are bent all to hell. I'm looking at 17x7 or 17x8 TSW Kyalami's.
http://www.petrochilos.gr/wheels/tsw/tsw_kyalami.jpg

Likely silver just like in the photo. I'd love some 18's, but if I've bent up 16's then what's the point? Yeah 17's aren't any safer, but I don't think I need to explain why I want them. I'm being as practical with this as I can manage, plus I'll be more careful. Anyway, I dig these rims, and I can get them in 17x7 or 8 so which should I choose?

My car already handles like a dream, so if I got 17x8's I figure I could probably do some amazing things. I do want the rims to look natural with the car, would 8's stick out too much at the fender? Even at the bottom by the mud flap? Would spacers help adjust this?

Are wider wheels going to negatively effect gas mileage? I've heard they decrease acceleration, what kind of handling benefits can I expect?

Most importantly: Are TSW's fairly tough wheels? I don't want these to get bent up. I doubt they're forged, but will they hold up? Do wider wheels hold up better than thinner ones?

I'll probably be getting these from discount tire, if anyone can recommend some forged wheels in the $650 price range sans tires I'm all open for it, but I really doubt there's any out there that'd look decent.

[Sebas007]

What tire size you'll mount on those wheels ??

take the width of the tire

example 225/40R18

225mm = 8.85"

So a 17X8" will have 0.425" every side of the wheel
a 17X7" will have almost 1" each side of the rim

So from this point of view I think it would be better to use 8" width wheels. All depends of your tire size.

[Jon11582]

Wider Wheels:

Pros -

Better traction in dry and heavy acceleration.
Better handling in corners
Better looks

Cons -
Transfers more road noise/vibrations
Worse grip in Wet, mud, and Snow
Worse gas mileage (May be hard to percieve)
May be less responsive when cornering (Harder to steer)
May be more Expensive
Tires may be more expensive too depending if you get a different tire

The way I see it, its a few large pros and a lot of small cons. You decide which is more important.

And while were at it, I'm not sure about TSW wheels as a whole, but the TSW revos (Gen 1 TRD rims) are not so tough - there have been many cases of them getting bent.

[theprodigy79]

The only real benefit of a wider wheel, other than cosmetic purposes, would be the ability to mount a wider tire without it rolling into itself as much at the edges... Just make sure you get the proper off-set for the wheel you select in order to ensure it fits properly. An 8" wide rim is a simple fit.

The only benefit of a wider tire, other than cosmetic purposes, would be [generally] better dry surface traction...

Disadvantages of wider wheels would be [generally] more weight, and certain narrower tires will flatten more, some possibly arching inward at the center of the tread (although this is more common with larger width wheels and not necessarily 8" wide).

Disadvantages of wider tires... once again weight... but more importantly you will actually LOSE wet/snow/dirt/mud traction due to the inability of the tire to "pump" water/slush out of the tread as quickly, along with having a larger surface area to hydro-plane on.

Wheel diameter is far more important than width for performance and handeling... For these cars, the width is next to irrelevant due to clearance issues beyond a certain point (and the differences in tire width up to that point are miniscule).

For the sizes you're looking at, you would be fine any way you go so long as you check the off-set of the wheels (there should be posts in the Tutorials section about off-sets related to wheel size and how they would fit on our cars; that's not really my area of knowledge). Other members would be able to offer up that info as well.

Hope I've helped a bit.

-James

[Sp33d]

those are some nice wheels.

[woa_its_j3ff]

my friend has them on his accord. they look great but are 18s.
here are a few pics:

[Mole]

you can't tell crap with those angle shots.... the only decent one was the last.

[woa_its_j3ff]

you can't tell crap with those angle shots.... the only decent one was the last.

they're just pics. dont get your panties in a bunch.

[Mole]

its just a forum, don't get all sphincter hurt because I critique them differently that you.

[PXLpainter]

Hey Mole - I find that if I hold my laptop in my lap and let it slide off my left leg then I can almost see them too!

[woa_its_j3ff]

Hey Mole - I find that if I hold my laptop in my lap and let it slid off my left leg then I can almost see them too!

:rofl:

[facevedo17]

those Tsw on the accord look sweet

[SleeperSolara]

And while were at it, I'm not sure about TSW wheels as a whole, but the TSW revos (Gen 1 TRD rims) are not so tough - there have been many cases of them getting bent.

I can a-test to that.

[2ksev6]

Thanks everyone. I've gone with the 17x8's and they'll be installed later today. They have a 40 offset which should be perfect. I have some Hankook tires going on. They're only H rated, but I need something that'll last, and these have a 370 treadwear rating. 225/50 17.

I need to get a battery charger for my camera, when I do I'll post some pics. Thanks for all the help.

One quick thing: Will these require longer studs? I think that's just with spacers, but I want to be sure.

Oh and about the TSW's bending, I looked into that when I was originally looking for Revos and there was a post on another forum that said that bending was an issue TSW fixed after complaints. They now meet German TUV ratings. I haven't been able to find in print what TUV ratings are, but in context it's about durability, and it sounds like the issues been addressed.

[2ksev6]

The wheels are on and they look great! IMO even better on the Accord above. They look so clean on my dirty car that I can't wait to wash it, but it's raining now and I've got a 3 hour drive ahead of me.

I ended up walking out with the wheels and tires for $900. I sold them my old wheels for $41, and I think he may have accidentally not charged me $100. I asked if he was sure, he said yes, I wasn't going to argue. However I think they may have forgotten the hubcentric rings, am I cool or will the wheels fall off? I'd really like to wait on those until I get back to Austin (in Dallas/Fort Worth area now).

I need to roll the fenders before I leave town... research on that begins now.