G55amg

This is going to be a DD, street driving, and rare track time.
I'm getting BBS wheels, but I'm debating between 17' vs 18'.
What do you guys think.?
Thank you
JV

Andy Roe

I think 17" are a great compromise between 16", 17" and 18", but it also depends on what suspension you have. Having said that BBS wheels look a lot better on 18" and many people drive with 18"s on the street and love them!

G55amg

I'm going with KW V3 and RS sway bars

MTR

I remember reading somewhere that the steering rack needs a brace to run 18s so you might want to look into that if you decide to go that route. I run 17s on the street and track and have been happy with them; enough side wall for a nice ride and you can save a few bucks compared to an 18 too. Contential DW is a great street tire and will do well in the Florida rain and Nitto NT-01 for the track is the best bang for the buck tire that grips until the cords.

911Jetta

Frank (Black Betty) wrote a very informative article on this:
http://www.world964owners.com/#!AFTE...f29542aa2a5bb4

G55amg

This is not easy!

Matt Andrews

I still don't get the steering brace for wheel size issue. To me it would be a matter of lateral grip requiring the brace - and that has nothing to do with wheel size. well...maybe the shorter sidewall could create high peak lateral load changes?

Anyway.

I am going through the same issues. I wanted to run as wide a wheel as possible - 8.5" and 10s. But tire sizes are limited in 17". So if you want wide wheels, I think you need 18s. if you don't like the low profile look and don't mine thinner tires, get 17s. For the street, 17" set ups will likely be lighter and provide less rolling resistance than 18s...

Bill Verburg

It all comes down to intended use and road conditions
17 will be better for poor roads and provide a bit more of a comfortable ride
18 will provide the best ultimate grip on smooth roads

to maximize grip w/ either you want to use the widest wheel for which a tire is spec'd

typical 17 fitments
225/45 to 2245/40 & 255/40 to 275/35 on 7-8 front and 8-9.5 rear
typical 18 fitments
225/40 to 245/35 & 265/35 to 285/30 on 8 to 8.5 front and 9 to 10 rear

you want to use the shortest OD on the widest wheel, shoot for <~25" OD

mf_rsr

Timely post as its a similar debate I'm having too.

I currently run 8x10x18s with MPSS and considered a 17 setup because as already stated above, it offers a great ride...

So I bought a set of 996 10 spokes. However, when I stacked the two sets together the difference in contact patch was alarming. They didnt go on!

Again as mentioned above, tyre choice is the limiting factor if you're optimising for width. For 8 fronts and 9.5/10 rears in 17 you only have PS2s and toyo 888 to choose from - are there any more? Please list them out!

In 18 there are lots of 225/265+ options and likely to be so for many years to come.

Fyi, in my 7 years of running 18s I have never used a steering rack brace. No issues whatsoever.

G55amg

How much of a better ride is 17 vs 18 ?

Ken D

For a DD, no question for me - 17". But I'm in the Northeast where bad roads are an art form.

JB 911

A subjective question for sure, I have two sets of wheels, 17's and 18's have been back and forth between them quite a bit. The difference in comfort is very real on poor roads, not so noticeable on smooth roads.

John Rygg

18s all the way

G55amg

How many of you DD your cars and have 18 wheels?

G55amg

I have pretty good roads, I'm starting to favor the 18"