JimmyT

I am likely getting a 2nd set of wheels to mount tires for DE/Autocross, and if my tire options will ikely always be 235-40-18 (stock) or 245-35-18 (option) in front would you recommend 8" (stock) or 8.5" front wheels? Question is will that half inch really make a difference? In back, I have the same question, with tire sizes of 265-40-18 (stock) or 275-35-18 (option), I could get 9" (stock) or go up to 10". I'm torn because wider means heavier, and stock tire sizes work fine with the 8F/9R stock wheels, but are those wheels too narrow to go any wider on the tire? Is saving the weight with the narrower wheels more improtant than the contact patch benefit of the slightly wider wheels?

Thanks

Bill Verburg

8.5" would support the tire better than 8" and will be better for performance

same in back, 10" will support the tire better than a 9"

a general rule use the widest wheel in the spec range for a tire for best performance and the narrowest for best comfort.

weight is always an issue and you do want the lightest possible wheel, but the difference in weight between 2 of the same design wheel w/ .5" difference in width will be negligible

JimmyT

Yeah, in front the difference is about 1 lb, and in back it's over 1.5 lbs. The wider wheels would (better) facililitate the use of some wider but lighter tire options, though, so net/net it seems to be a wash. I'm just not convinced that the wider tires are the smart way to go, vs just staying with stock. I suppose I could always go back to the stock tire sizes on the larger wheel sizes, if I wanted to down the road.