17's or 18's?

[We Are Ninja]

I'm in the market for new wheels for the MSP; I can't take the stockers anymore. I've read every article I could find regarding 17 vs 18-inch wheels. From what I've gotten, 17's are ultimately faster, but 18's provide better steering feel (and looks) at the expense of a harsher ride.

Can anyone who has made the jump to 18's provide any comoments/precautions/feedback/opinions/suggestions? Any changes in feel, handling, acceleration, rubbing, etc.?

 

[Rush]

I have a set of 18" wheels on my MSP, with 35 series tires.

First off, I think a LOT of the decision depends on what (if any) suspension modifications you have. If you're going to be leaving the stock suspension, I personally feel that making the chance to 18" wheels will be fine. Yes, you will have a harsher ride -- but not too horribly so.

However. I also have Tokico Illumina struts and Ground Control coilovers. If I could redo my decision to get 18" wheels .. I would've stuck with 17". My ride is HARD. It's to the point now where I kinda want to rip my hair out when I have to drive in the city -- because the roads are so bad, which makes my ride almost unbearable.

That's another factor -- how the roads are where you're going to be driving your MSP. If they're in good shape, not many potholes and ridges, then 18" should be fine. But if you're in a city, or in an area where the roads aren't taken care of -- it's only a matter of time till you bend or somehow damage a wheel. Two of my wheels have to be repaired over the winter due to being bent on potholes and bad paving.

So, basically, this is what it boils down to:

Get 18" wheels if -- you leave the stock suspension, and have good roads.

Get 17" wheels if -- you have upgraded suspension (or plan to), and have bad roads.

 

[Brian MP5T]

I sacrificed a bit of performance (Acceleration) for the look of 18"

If you are racing, then 17" lightweight is what you should get... $$$$$


If you don't really Auto-X or Drag... Then 18" look HAWT

 

[hellcat]

If you want to go fast I say get 17's! If you are in it for looks, get 18's.

 

[ChopstickHero]

18" weight more, but definitely look a better.

if you're going for a little more performance, lightweight 17" wheel is the way to go. i am looking for wheels myself.... the stock 17" MSP wheels are just way too heavy at 22 lbs. remember to look at tire weights too.

 

[We Are Ninja]

Great advice. Thanks all. I don't "race" per se, but I do enjoy spirited driving. The roads in Dallas are a'ight, but I am planning on full coilovers in the future. 17's sound more practical at this point, but 18's look so good....

 

[Blake]

id say something but it seems like everyone has gotten everything covered.

I have 18's and it did get a little rougher. But the way the look more than made up for it.

 

[We Are Ninja]

^Any and all opinions/advice is appreciated.

Ps: I'm pretty sure I met you at a DFWMazdas meet...

 

[Blake]

yea im the "big white guy" with the "little girlfriend"

 

[We Are Ninja]

^LOL. I though so.

I'm thinking possibly 17's with low-profile tires. That way I'd keep the performance of lightweight 17's, but still get some of the looks (and harsher ride, I assume) of 18's. Plus they'd be cheaper too.

 

[Blake]

35 series is the way to go

 

[DeuceMalicai]

18's all the way homie(thumb)

 

[We Are Ninja]

Another question. I've found a set of wheels I'd give my first born for, but they come in to applicable sizes. 17x7 and 18x8. Naturally, the 17's are cheaper and would retain the acceleration and ride quality, but I'd hate to get them and regret not getting 18's. Will 18x8 fit the MSP? I've read 7.5 is as wide as one should go, but I've also read of a mythological P5 riding on 19's with no problems...

EDIT: Never mind. Did some research, and 18x8 probably won't work without some substantial work.

 

[CantCMe]

The 18x8 will fit with 215/35/18 tires...i've seen a few msp's with the rx8 rims (which are also 18x8) and they look great!!!

 

[Mark94]

I can't agree with CantCMe because there are a lot of variables. The big thing with the 18" x 8" wheels is the offset, do you know the offset of these wheels? While some 18" x 8" wheels might fit others won't due to the offset.

I believe that the RX-8 wheels require some extensive rolling of the fenders and maybe even trimming them a little bit (that's just not worth it in my opinion).

I've got 18" X 7.5" wheels with a +45 offset and that is the lowest offset you really want to run on these cars. I have no rubbing issues and I am lowered on TEIN SS coilovers. My car is not a daily driver so I don't mind the stiffer ride but believe it or not, I find the ride comparable to stock as I have them set pretty soft (setting 5 all around). It is a pain owning 18's with 215/35 tires because you are constantly dodging potholes and every uneven surface in the road but it does look great.

Mark

 

[sandspeed]

I would stick with 17"s but go with a wider wheel. I have 17"x7.5 and love the way the feel.

 

[CantCMe]

A buddy of mine has rx8 rims with 215/35/18s on a MSP (50mm offset) and the fenders don't rub and he didn't have to roll the fenders. I can't remember what kind of suspension setup he has but it looks like his ride is dropped about 1.5 inches. My ES has Tokico Blues and the rims have a 48mm offset (18x7.5) with the same size tires on them and I didn't have to roll the fenders either. My car is a daily driver with 158k on it and yeah it's hell dodging all these potholes where I live.

 

[We Are Ninja]

I can't agree with CantCMe because there are a lot of variables. The big thing with the 18" x 8" wheels is the offset, do you know the offset of these wheels? While some 18" x 8" wheels might fit others won't due to the offset....Mark

Those 18's look AWESOME...

This is what I've got so far:

17's:
Pros: Easier fitment, lighter weight, better acceleratino, better handlling(?), cheaper, better ride quality
Cons: Not quite as sexy as 18's

18's:
Pros: SexAy looks
Cons: Possible fitment issues, heavier, more expensive, taking a hit in acceleration, harsher ride, having to weave around potholes and road irregularities...

 

[blkspdfreak]

19's anyone?

 

[We Are Ninja]

^No. I won't throw some D's on this b17ch...