Howdy folks,

Looking to get my first set of aftermarket wheels for my ride. I'm liking the prodrive pff7's and the rota torques. Are there any concerns I should know about going with an 18x8 wheel? Will the added weight make my car feel slower?

If I order the wheels from the internet, do I just run down to the local Les Schwab to have the tires mounted and have the wheels balanced etc?

What else do I need to know?

p.s. these are going to be my summer/fall/spring wheels. Recommendations for a nice tire that does well in dry and wet conditions would rule. I don't autox or drag so they don't need to be anything super special.

18x8 will make the ride a little less "comfortable" from the lower sidewall on your tires. Also, you'll have to avoid potholes as you'll have a greater chance of bending a wheel, again because of the lower sidewall.


As for mounting them...use the search on Tirerack's website to find an install shop around you. You'll have to worry less about some noob screwing your stuff up that way.

discount tire direct is selling the discontinued potenza s03's for a cheap $120/each for 235/40/18. that is what i bought for my rota 18x8's. its a few threads down. they might be sold out.

Howdy folks,

Looking to get my first set of aftermarket wheels for my ride. I'm liking the prodrive pff7's and the rota torques. Are there any concerns I should know about going with an 18x8 wheel? Will the added weight make my car feel slower?

Yes, the added weight will make your car slower and feel slower. How much slower is up in the air - it depends on the weight of the rim and tire combination. You'll have improved handling from the wider tires, going from 16in WRX rims to 18in rims.

18's are going to be heavier than 17's, unless you pay through the nose for rims like volks, ssr comp's, etc.

Tires are going to be more expensive for 18's.


If I order the wheels from the internet, do I just run down to the local Les Schwab to have the tires mounted and have the wheels balanced etc?

If you order wheels from a place that sells wheels + tires, they'll probably mount and balance the tires for free - this is what the tirerack does.

If you order wheels by themselves, any local shop should be able to mount and balance the tires - just make sure its not some jabroni doing the work, or your rims WILL end up scratched when they're being mounted.


What else do I need to know?

Try the www.tirerack.com and www.edgeracing.com for good deals.

If you're not opposed to use, buy used - its going to be the cheapest option where you can get practically brand new wheels, in some cases, for a hugely discounted price. I picked up rims that were "used" but were actually brand new and the previously owner had never put them on the car - and then he sold the car - for literally less than half the price of new.



p.s. these are going to be my summer/fall/spring wheels. Recommendations for a nice tire that does well in dry and wet conditions would rule. I don't autox or drag so they don't need to be anything super special.

Kuhmo Ecsta MX are often regarded as one of the best "value performance tires made". Falken 451's are also hugely popular.

To get more expensive, Michelin Pilot Sports are expensive but regarded as some of the best performance tires out there.

Just search sites like tirerack.com and edgeracing.com to look up the specs of tires and then search the forums for opinions on tires.

I'll be winding up with Hankook z212 tires because they're one of the only tires, in the dimensions that I want, offered at the price they are. These are a good alternative to the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's, but wear far quicker. They're a 200 on the "wear scale" compared to the MX's ~380 which is excellent for a performance tire.

Basically, in the end I would say make sure the 18's are what you want. I went with 17's and a lower profile tire so they'll tuck further and because they'll be the best thing for performance. Two birds with one stone.

When going with a new rim I try to to equal the weight of the stock rims, or less. I bought Enkei RPF1's ($240/wheel) that are 17x8 (so I can put a nice fat tire on there) and weigh 15.5lbs.

Search the forums and websites, and pick your poison.

TireRack has an amazing deal on 17" Goodyear F1 GS-D3s, which are really, really good tires. 215/45/17 for $88.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+F1+GS-D3

18s look goofy and too big, IMHO.

TireRack has an amazing deal on 17" Goodyear F1 GS-D3s, which are really, really good tires. 215/45/17 for $88.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+F1+GS-D3

18s look goofy and too big, IMHO.

Thats a good price, but that tire is small in my opinion.

On a 17inch wheel, I would never get anything less than a 225. At 215, you should have stayed on 16's, in my opinion of course.

This is doubley true if you have a 7.5 or 8inch wide rim. You should have ~235+'s on then.

Yeah, but I have an L. 215 is fine.

I'll be winding up with Hankook z212 tires because they're one of the only tires, in the dimensions that I want, offered at the price they are. These are a good alternative to the Kuhmo Ecsta MX's, but wear far quicker. They're a 200 on the "wear scale" compared to the MX's ~380 which is excellent for a performance tire.
According to Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+MX&partnum=25WR6EMX&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=3) the wear rating on the Kumho Ecsta MX is 220.

According to Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+MX&partnum=25WR6EMX&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=3) the wear rating on the Kumho Ecsta MX is 220.


Eh I guess it does. I thought when I looked then up they were 380.


At any rate, they're good, inexpensive, summer tires.

Eh I guess it does. I thought when I looked then up they were 380.


At any rate, they're good, inexpensive, summer tires.
That is true. The people who have them seem to really like them. Especially for the money.

.....all ya deeeeeeewwwwwwwwwds that even THINK ta look at any 'wear rating' :lol: on a MAX or UHP tire are on crack :lol:

They are supposed ta GRIP...not last forever----ya can't have both.

If ya get past 20k yer doin good....past 30k and ya likely drive like grandma