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General => Cosmetic and bodywork matters => Topic started by: zdebx on 01 December 2009, 19:02

Title: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: zdebx on 01 December 2009, 19:02

I'm a bit confused about, which wheels I should put on my 1.8 8v.

Got 2 sets:

One is 15" BBS classic with 205/55/15 tyres and the other set is 17" Lenso RS5 with 205/40/17 tyres.

Now the whole problem is not about, which wheels look better, but more imporantly for me is how they will affect the performance and mechanical sides of the car.

My friend is telling me that, because the engine is only 1.8, it can't pull 17" properly, also they damage the power steering, suspension, and in the long-term the engine as well...(can't cope with big wheels).

I wanted to know, whether all this stuff is true, or my friend doesn't know anything about cars, lol

Some pics for you:

Lenso RS5

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4151026002_9414cdaf1f.jpg)

BBS

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4124388411_08921cb390.jpg)

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: Wayne on 01 December 2009, 21:19

I would run the 15"s

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: zdebx on 01 December 2009, 21:39

Quote from: Wayne on 01 December 2009, 21:19

I would run the 15"s

I had 17"'s for few weeks, and put on 15"'s today to see the difference.

Is there anything bad about 17's?

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: jv on 02 December 2009, 08:28

your friend talks utter rubbish :grin:

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: Len on 02 December 2009, 09:15

Your friend does not know anything about cars!

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: zdebx on 02 December 2009, 18:11

So I should be fine with 17"?

The thing is, I was driving on the motorway the other day, and felt like 17"s are pulling worse, than 15"s...

What about the power steering and suspension? Do I need to worry about that?

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: Andy-H on 02 December 2009, 18:32

Those Lenso's woulld look really good on my 'rado  :smiley:

Fancy some Brock 16's needing a refurb  :smiley: :evil:

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: zdebx on 03 December 2009, 08:00

Quote from: Andy-H on 02 December 2009, 18:32

Those Lenso's woulld look really good on my 'rado  :smiley:

Fancy some Brock 16's needing a refurb  :smiley: :evil:

Yeah, Lenso's look really sexy, I like them too, but just worried not to mess up the car...

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: Andy-H on 03 December 2009, 08:05

I ran my Mk3 on 17's and the Corrado had 17's on when I got it. The only reaason I took them off the Corrado is because they were gash and ruined the looks of the car  :sad:

I cannot see there being a problem with them  :wink:

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: zdebx on 03 December 2009, 18:37

Ok, now I'm clear with that :)

Just need to get some new tyres, bang them on 17"s and put them back on my bad boy :laugh:

Title: Re: 17" Wheels On A 1.8 8v
Post by: th3_f15t on 08 December 2009, 00:02

I could understand the logic behind the theory... wider wheels would require more tourque from the engine to get them moving, the power steering would have to work harder to turn the wheels but as for the suspension part I'm lost.

There will be a lack of pulling power with wider wheels as they grip better and the lack of tourque means you do loose a few points of a second in acceleration. But I use 205/50/R15 wheels on the motorway and prefer the comfortable amount of grip they give.