Winter Wheels - 17 inch vs. 18 inch
07-22-2005, 12:08 AM
#16
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Plus or minus 5mm is not going to make a difference. It's 5/25.4 of 1 inch.... or .2"... The different tire sizes between a 7" and 8" rim make a bigger difference....
And by the way, a 50mm offset sticks out more than a 55mm offset, so adding a 5mm spacer to a 50mm is thinking in the wrong direction (it would make it a 45mm offset).
And by the way, a 50mm offset sticks out more than a 55mm offset, so adding a 5mm spacer to a 50mm is thinking in the wrong direction (it would make it a 45mm offset).
07-22-2005, 12:24 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by PorschePRH
And by the way, a 50mm offset sticks out more than a 55mm offset, so adding a 5mm spacer to a 50mm is thinking in the wrong direction (it would make it a 45mm offset).
In the same chart, it also states that 17mm spacers can be used on the rear along with a 9x17 55mm offset wheel (but you can't use snow chains!) suggesting that any offset between 38mm and 55mm is acceptable for the rears. That seems like an awfully wide range to me.
David
07-22-2005, 12:42 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by m5guru
Unfortunately, stock front offset is supposed to be 50mm.
At least that is the most commonly quoted number I see and the number that is mentioned in my manual.
But as I said, there are some other sources of information that make it sound like 55mm offsets are acceptable as well for the fronts.
Did anyone buy their car from the factory with 17" wheels and get 7 inch wide rims with 55mm offsets from the get go?
My impression is that a lot of these 55mm offset front wheels are coming off of Boxters.
David
At least that is the most commonly quoted number I see and the number that is mentioned in my manual.
But as I said, there are some other sources of information that make it sound like 55mm offsets are acceptable as well for the fronts.
Did anyone buy their car from the factory with 17" wheels and get 7 inch wide rims with 55mm offsets from the get go?
My impression is that a lot of these 55mm offset front wheels are coming off of Boxters.
David
07-22-2005, 10:36 AM
#19
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Back to the 17 Vs 18s for winter topic... I'm sort of leaning myself towards 17s as they are cheaper, will grip better in snow being narrower and with a slighty larger profile will allow you to go tru a touchless carwash to remove the salt....am I missing anything ? Any reasons to go for the 18s beside better look ?
07-23-2005, 05:53 PM
#20
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I live in Michigan where the snow is plentiful. I've had 18's for the past two winters and they're great. I struggled with the 17" vs. 18" dilema for a while. I decided on 18's because if there was ever a problem the wheels and tires could be changed out in an emergency. You'll have tons of fun driving in the winter whichever way you go. Happy driving!
