View Full Version : WHEEL SIZE 17" vs 18"
jiriza84641
03-09-2020, 11:08 AM
All,
As of now I have on order are the 17" staggered wheels. Is there any preference to going to the 18" staggered wheels, or any substantial difference. Or is it just preference? how difficult to find the 18' tires?
been reading and reading and so much information in the forums, I feel a bit burnt out and don't even have the kit yet?
Thanks in advance.
No advantage with one over the other. I started with 17's and then bought 18's out of my preference for the look. Tires are limited for either, but available in matching sets for both.
Dave
GoDadGo
03-09-2020, 11:39 AM
I agree with Papa regarding it is just a personal preference.
I'm running 17's, but went with the tallest profiles possible to give me a look closer to that of the original 15" wheels.
https://youtu.be/CaRlqMmKIzk
245/45-17 Front
285/40-17 Rear
TMartinLVNV
03-09-2020, 11:49 AM
I went with 17" wheels because I don't want to cry as much when replacing tires. The 18" wheels do look nice though.
Furrman
03-09-2020, 11:56 AM
Taller sidewalls will give a slightly smoother ride. shorter will give better handling, but rougher.
GFX2043mtu
03-09-2020, 12:16 PM
At the end of the day it’s personal preference. Tire prices are not crazy for either. I paid $1,200 for a set of R888R’s for my 18” wheels. The 18” wheels do look a bit more aggressive then the 17” wheels imo.
NiceGuyEddie
03-09-2020, 06:19 PM
Just my opinion, but I think there is only so much one should modernize an iconic car like a Cobra. 17" wheels are big enough. The good news is nowadays you can get 17" tires with white letters and/or decals. Not long ago, you were limited to 15" wheels if you wanted white letters.
It's your car though!
jiriza84641
03-09-2020, 07:34 PM
Been reading some are having issues with the wildwood and 17's!
Been reading some are having issues with the wildwood and 17's!
The Wilwoods worked fine with my 17" FFR wheels. Perhaps other makes of wheels? There is very little clearance on the front calipers to the wheel spokes, so a different wheel design could definitely create a problem.
edwardb
03-09-2020, 08:01 PM
I've had both 17's and 18's and can't say I could tell any difference in the ride. I personally wouldn't use that as a criteria. Also don't look much different. Can you guess which is which?
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Graduation/.highres/IMG_4515_zps23gxxyb8.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/p/2573c740-1e08-4903-b8e9-68ecaf2bb2f4)
https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Completed/.highres/IMG_2994_zps50da104f.jpg (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/p/c86b8ed9-2d9d-4ba2-ab8c-ab588e45e4d5)
Top picture is my 20th Anniversary Roadster with 18's running BF Goodrich Rival S tires. Bottom picture is my Mk4 #7750 with 17's and Nitto 555 tires, now with a new owner. Both have the same Wilwoods in the front and no clearance issues. Rear Wilwoods are different (single piston vs. four piston) but also no clearance issues. I would say 18's are slightly more expensive. But varies a lot by brand. Wheel sizes are definitely on the rise. 17's are reasonably supported by the industry now. But could go the way of 15's in the future with fewer options. Likely not soon though.
GTBradley
03-10-2020, 09:18 AM
If I had the chance to do it again, I would spend a little more time on investigating 15” wheels.
What I did was the 17” and I liked the NT555 G2 for its balance of performance and tread life.
size:
255/40 17 $128 ea Weight: (tire and wheel) = 48 lbs
315/35 17 $203 ea Weight: (tire and wheel) = 55 lbs
(this info is about a year old)
All,
As of now I have on order are the 17" staggered wheels. Is there any preference to going to the 18" staggered wheels, or any substantial difference. Or is it just preference? how difficult to find the 18' tires?
been reading and reading and so much information in the forums, I feel a bit burnt out and don't even have the kit yet?
Thanks in advance.
FWIW, I am also finalizing my order this week and have been debating between the 17s and 18s. I ended up going with 17's only because they were less expensive and the tires are also less expensive. I would rather use this savings towards some Gas-n pipes :D I am planning on ordering the NT555 G2s they seem to get good reviews with good mileage rating.
And as edwardb posted up on his photo comparison I cant tell much difference between the two. I think they both look great.
Is your kit also being completed March 28?
jiriza84641
03-10-2020, 11:16 AM
FWIW, I am also finalizing my order this week and have been debating between the 17s and 18s. I ended up going with 17's only because they were less expensive and the tires are also less expensive. I would rather use this savings towards some Gas-n pipes :D I am planning on ordering the NT555 G2s they seem to get good reviews with good mileage rating.
And as edwardb posted up on his photo comparison I cant tell much difference between the two. I think they both look great.
Is your kit also being completed March 28?
My kit has a completion date of April 11, As you described I have decided on the 17" wheels.