Rim Questions

[CruzinAltitude]

Im considering getting a set of 17" silver Motegi MR7s. My question is, if i replace the stock rims with the Motegi's but I dont drop the car will the wheel gap look bigger or smaller. Ive had people tell me conflicting things, logically to me the wheel gap would be less in appearance.

 

[CruzinAltitude]

come on, someone must know the answer, or have some idea on this.

 

[Melkor]

Im considering getting a set of 17" silver Motegi MR7s. My question is, if i replace the stock rims with the Motegi's but I dont drop the car will the wheel gap look bigger or smaller. Ive had people tell me conflicting things, logically to me the wheel gap would be less in appearance.

I'm getting ready for bed, so if i'm wrong, feel free to correct my sleepy reply. Also please ignore my lovely spelling.

In order for your spedo to report the correct speed and milage, your tire circumferance needs to be the exact same as it is now. So if you move up from a 16 to a 17" rim, you will need to get a lower profile tire for the rim to keep the same measurements. This normally results in less tirewall flex, adding a bit to handling, but it will create a more harsh ride. And will more then likely add more weight also, due to the larger rim size, unless you get light-weight racing rims.

In order to "properly" remove the wheel-gap, you will need to lower the car.

Hopefully I made sense and didn't mess up too bad.

 

[DeanSweet]

Yes, your wheel will appear to have gotten wider.
It has something to do with your vision/mind perceiving the aspect of the tire. The smaller the tire sidewall the bigger the wheel well gap will seem even though(if you used the correct tire aspect ratio - same circumference). I know it makes no sense.

http://home.earthlink.net/~dntsweet/images/Pr5-10s.JPG
http://home.earthlink.net/~dntsweet/images/18s-3s.JPG

 

[CruzinAltitude]

Thanks, it makes sense that they need to be the same size, and if they are then there wouldnt be any wheel rub. I dont mind the gap too much, I dont want to lower the ride quality any further. As it is my wife wants to kill me.

 

[MP5driva03]

hahahaha, this is really ironic. I just bought Motegi MR7 gunmetals to put on my red 2002 P5, and they look good. However, they are only 16x7, not 17. The 17 just weigh too damn much. The 17 weigh in at 24 lbs per wheel, whereas the 16's only weigh 20 lbs. There will not be wheel rub, they will work fine. THE 17'S WEIGH SO MUCH THAT THEY WILL JUST DESTROY YOUR HANDLING. Also, the 17's will make it difficult to lower without having rub. Stock, however, everything should work out. Congratulations though on selecting an awesome looking wheel!

 

[Greg S]

If you move up to a 17" rim you will have a harsher ride due to less sidewall to flex on the tire and while the wheel to fender gap will measure the same it will look larger due to optical tricks. To make it look right you will want to lower the car 3/4"-1", which again will make the car ride harsher. Overall the car will handle better but you will feel road bumps and tracking more than you do know. In the interest of family harmony if you want to change the rims then you may want to stay with the stock 16" rim size so that you don't hae to lower the car or get a harsher ride and still get a better look.