mazman

I am thinking of a 17' tire/wheel upgrade.
If I do it I will pick a low weight wheel/tire combo.
What are your comments? I am interested in ride quality/handling comments.
Did your upgrade have any negative effects?, if so elaborate please.

Thanks for your help!
Kevin

s2kpdx01

If you are going to go low weight and bigger make sure you don't cheap out and get a forged wheel. A low weight cast 17 is a recipe for trouble.

I really like the ones I picked up from a fellow S2ki member. They are the ASA FR1's. They are not made anymore. They are a 17inch forged wheel 17X8 in the front and 17X9 in the rear. I have some slightly used S03 rubber on them and they are real nice. The ride is harsher especially over expansion joints and rail road tracks. This is the big reason you need to go forged. With less tire I hit the wheels hard somtimes. A forged wheel will help make sure you don't bend or break the wheel.

gaebril

Blah, on my last car I damaged 2 aftermarket wheels on 2 seperate occasions. After that I decided I'll never buy larger wheels for my car than stock ever again. The roads are too rough here.

s2kpdx01

That is a good point!

You need to look around at your local roads and make a decision about what risks you are willing to take. Even the strongest 17-18 inch wheel can't take everything. Having a lot more sidewall makes takes a lot of force away from the wheel.

djkojione

Forged is not a recipe for rims to never bend. I have had both cast and forged,and both will bend after awhile, esp. if you hit them hard enough. I know someone with 19" HRE's, and he bent 3 of them in a matter of months in the streets of LA. I also know people who have had cast, and never cracked a single wheel.

s2kpdx01

[QUOTE]Originally posted by djkojione
Forged is not a recipe for rims to never bend.

Dave Dunbar

I would try and find a semi-light weight wheel that appeals to you in looks and strength...you can negate the heavier wheel with a light weight tire. Equally important...I would select a wheel that has as close to stock offset as possible (+/-10mm variance). Poor offset will cause pre-mature wear on the suspension components and negative effect on handling.
As much as I love the BS S-02's, they are a heavy tire. I am a big fan of the Toyo T1-S. They are lightweight, provide very reasonable grip, wear well and are the best tire I have ever driven in the rain. The drawback is somewhat of a soft sidewall (but once you go below a 50 series profile...the sidewall is reinforced). But the pluses outshine the negitives. I have done several runs at Deals Gap on this tire and it was very predictable.
Good luck in your search.

JL9000

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2kpdx01

s2kpdx01

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JL9000

JL9000

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2kpdx01