Hi

I know that Luego recomend 17" wheels with those massive 9" wide fellas at the back and seriously low profile rubber (205/45, 235/40), but what are people's experiences of running these rims / tyres? I spoke to compomotive for a quote and the bloke I spoke to thought I was completely mad to put wheels this big on a seven (albeit a big one). He actually tried to sell me smaller wheels than I wanted!

From what I've read, I would have thought 16s with an 8" wide rear and something like 205/50 and 225/50 would be a happier compromise for handling and a degree of comfort.

On Luego's website the customers' builds section shows a jag engined race car with 225/40s on 16s. Surely if an experienced racer is using these there is something to be said for the smaller wheel / taller tyre route?

The car will be doing track days, but it will also be going on driving holidays to the alps etc.

Your experiences of 16s or 17s much appreciated!

Also any suppliers of correct offset wheels - so far aware of Image, Compomotive and Team Dynamics

Cheers

Dave

PS In the avatar it's on the 15" lads that I bought it with - just too small I think

I have 17" wheels on my super 6 and the suspension is hard as there is no give in the side walls and no weight inc car, but i have not been in anybody elses car so do not know what others are like

these are mine

http://www.topgear.co.uk/acatalog/BK171_Silver_with_205_40_17_tyres.php

I have compomotive 17 inch, but was thinking of a second set of 16 inch (cheaper) wheels for track days...

""From what I've read, I would have thought 16s with an 8" wide rear and something like 205/50 and 225/50 would be a happier compromise for handling and a degree of comfort. ""

prob true but I fell in love with these 17"


[Edited on 2/3/06 by Paul (Notts)]
Rescued attachment feb06 005.jpg

Sorry Paul but if I get 17s it will be those CXRs! Probably in black though. Irritatingly compomotive don't do them in 16", they only do the MOs, and then it has to be the "curved spoke" one on the back and the "flat spoke" one on the front. I can't decide whether this would look good or not!

Hi,

I have mounted 16" wheel and I'm happy with it. I have gone for 16" because the tyres are cheaper than the 17" ones. Plus you can get higher side walls what gives a bit more comfort.
The tyre that will be used is also an factor for comfort. Super sport tyres have very stiff walls not so comfortable.

I had the same concerns as you, and was concerned the ride would be too hard. With 45 series tyres, there is a good chance that the wheel will be damaged if a pothole or similar is driven over.
I have gone for 16" wheels with 50series tyres.
I got them from E-bay of a Mondeo st24, with almost new tyres for £160.
I like the look of the wheel and their quality, finish and availability make for a good option.
The tyres also have rim protection so i hope that will help.
Living in the north of Scotland the roads are fun and quiet but the surface is not like a race track.
As for tyres, I have 205s on the front and will get 225s for the rear, the offset is wrong for the back so i may get 18mm hubcentric spacers for the rear that will bring them pretty close to the recomended offset.
The gearing with a type nine and 3.62 LSD should be Ok
139mph max at 6000 and 39mph in first and 58mph in second.

My car in not finished yet, so its all wishfull thinking but I think its a good compromise.

Did you ever see the pics of ChrisW's fitted (temporarily) with his Peugeot 19" wheels? Looked fantastic!

As for the handling, there was a discussion a while back and it was concluded (by people who know a lot more than me!) that smaller wheels with larger side walls gave a better and more predictable ride.

Also, from the days when I used to be interested in modding Tin Tops and the like I know that 16" tyres are often very expensive compared with 17" or 15" as they are a lot rarer.

To conclude, I'm going for 15"s!

Cheers,
James

I have 17s for mine bcause they look cool. Might handle like a bag of shite but it will look good doing it.

Not sure that 16" are rare these days or cheaper than 17"

Most new VW's seem to have 16" as standard. Not sure about other makes though. My Bora has upgraded 17" but the standards were 16".

My lad bought two 16" continentals 205's for his GTi yesterday off the shelf for £78 each which I thought was pretty good. My 17" 225's are normally near the £100 mark and have to be ordered in.

I'd probably go with 15"'s though following advice in the earlier thread about forgiving handling.

Ive ridden in the Luego demonstrator (with Luego's Matt, Driving)
its a smooth ride, MUCH better than I had ever thought. They are on 205/40/17 and 235/40/17 40 rears (with about a 5mm spacer on the rears).

I have gone 17" rims.
7x17 Et38 fronts, with 205/40 tyres (Std Sierra off the shelf rim size / offset)

On the rear, I have gone 8 x 17 with Et22 offset. and 235/40 tyres
The ET 22 isnt enough (minimum Rimstock will make), and I have fitted 15mm hubcentric spacers and longer 2.5" studs. Which makes it look MUCH better.

With hindsight I would keep the same fronts, and have 9" rears (and 235/40 tyres), with adjusted offsets to put the outer edge of the rim in the right place so I dont have to use spacers.

I used Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's
Rim costs were quoted at £80 for two fronts and £100 for two rears. Thats £360 for 4 rims. then tyres, delivery, and fittings on top. Direct from Rimstock.


In the end I got the lot, thats 4 rims, Kumho tyres, some smart valves, ballanced, and delivered for £587.50 ALL IN Price!!, which I thought was a bargain... couldnt get my plastic out of my wallet quick enough. This was from Halfords.
I can only think they forgot to add on their mark up, as the chap was on the phone to the supplier and I heard him get the costs from them.
Even with a big mark up... they would not be as expensive as Image or Comptomotive wheels which come in at over a grand a set.
Just my 2d worth... So shop around. The TD Pro race 1.2s are nice rims as well.. Have a look at my website.. rims are on the car (and my Avatar!!).

PS... also look at ALL the tyres sizes and profiles eg 40 /45 etc and especially the Prices. BEFORE buying... some sizes are very cheap in comparison.. ie loads more sold.. and other sizes are rarer and thus more expensive.

[Edited on 2/3/2006 by wilkingj]

2 much beer and a angle grinder...
..... always think it over first......

18" front and rear.... hard ride.. but as "emsfactory" say's "Might handle like a bag of shite but it will look good doing it"



Description

[Edited on 2/3/06 by G3OFF]

Got to admit G3OFF, your car is SEXY!!!

But I think I might plump for 17" Team Dynamics.

Cheers chaps.