Hi guys.. i have just bought an impreza wrx sl in urban grey and am going to change the wheels but i am undecided on wheel size..I have decided on the wrc1s in anthracite but am very concerned that by going for 18`s i will sacrifice ride comfort and make the car tramline.. I am living in ireland and the roads are pure **** so i am very unsure if i should stick with 17`s or go with the more eye pleasing 18`s..? I would really appreciate any opinions on this as i would hate to ruin the cars every day useability...

 

I ran 19's on mine and didn't notice too much of a difference when I changed. However when I went back to the 17's for a while it did feel much nicer again.

Why not keep the 17's and lower the car a bit, it might give you the same effect you're looking for? It will also make it cheaper on tyres.

 

Cuz 18's look lovely!

 

Thanks for your help guys it just might be the way to go.. I have heard some stories that the WRC1`s in 18`s when fitted to the P1 WR were criticised for being to heavy and led to a sizeable deterioration in ride quality.. The reason i bought the wrx sl was for everyday driving on brutal irish roads and like i said i would hate to ruin the cars ride quality by choosing 18`s over 17`s.. because these roads have to be seen to be believed..

 

Wouldn't you be better off with a tractor

 

yeah i am still waiting for fuji heavy industries to make one in urban grey..

 

if it is any help. I used to have 17's on my classic. Moved up to rota's in 18 and had toyo 225/35/18 on them and oh boy

The handling and ride was all shot to hell.
Ok, I may exggerate but tbh, the handling was not so good, car stepped out a few times on corners I have taken countless times before with no problem.

ride was harsher due to the rubber bands !!

posted on this a week back or so and after a lot of discussion have moved back to 17's with 215/45/17....

 

Thanks for that swisstony i think you just might have made my mind up for me..

 

I was going to go to 18's on my newage, but decided to stick to 17's now

 

Later cars work very well with 18" wheels on and with the right tyres the ride actually improves compared to the std 17" wheels and tyres.

'Classics' don't work well on 18" wheels and tyres unless the suspension is set up to work with it and even then the ride is quite firm. On std suspension I would go as far as saying that the car can be downright dangerous in some circumstances. I once saw the aftermath of a serious accident that happened on a very straight road when the car spun off after getting out of phase over some bumps. It was fitted with std supension and 18" wheels and had recently had some new suspension parts fitted so the geometry could have been set anywhere....


Mike

 

good post mike...

Very valid points there on the way 18's are on classics as opposed to new age.
Whilst the 18's look great and fill the arch's, they do nothing for the ride, handling and overall stability of the car.
My scoob MY00 had standard suspension and whilst the 18' wheels did not rub, the way the car stepped out was quite off putting. It did it on various corners when going in fast and on mini roundabouts. The result, I drove the car more cautiously and didnt have as much confidence in it.

Spent the last 2 weeks trying to get the definitive answer on here and on other boards, regarding best tyre for my 18's and all the same answers came back (thx corrodoboy ), the tyre I had one was the best match for the size of wheel.

So, yes they may go on for show, but definately not for the go