aLL Show or aLL Go ?! Need Help!

[CoBB_tHiS!]

I was looking into getting the 17x7.5 Rota Torques in Gunmetallic

I have seen them on a couple of cars, they look amazing with the 225/45/17 setup that i was planning on but i then saw the Flat Black with Blue Lip Tarmac 3s in 18x8 and i looked the the 225/40/18 on the tires that i want (Yokohama S.drive) and they are the same exact diameter as the 17s with a slightly lower sidewall.

If these wheels are under 20lbs... should i go with the 18s or 17s

need opinions
pictures
ideas
answers

anything! please help!

thanks alot

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[Daishi00]

There are pros/cons to both sizes. 18's will usually result in a stiffer sidewall keeping the same overall diameter, but you sacrifice some pothole protection. More mass of course as well and the biggest factor is the increased cost of tires.

Since you want to stay at the same overall width I would go with the 17's personally. If you were going to bump up to a 235/245 width tire then the 8" wheel would be worthwhile (if you couldn't get it the same width in the 17" though ).

I have 18's for the street (GC-06D's) but am seriously looking at picking up a set of the 17x8" RPF-1's though simply due to the cheaper tire costs and lighter weight as well (not a factor on the street though).

[CoBB_tHiS!]

the wheels come out to 150 dollars more but tires are only $12 more when i upgrade to 18s...

is the ride uncomforably stiff?

[Daishi00]

Ride is more a factor of the tire. That is not to say that wheel size is not important, just that I personally feel the tire is a huge part of it. I'm running Neova's which are ridiculously stiff on the sidewall and tread design so I tramline all over the place from them. They are also close to $80 more a tire over the 17" model Now, with that said I'd keep the tires I have for the performance benefits over say an all season etc...

Again, the only reason to really go to a bigger wheel is because you can only get a bigger width with it or you need to clear bigger brakes. Past that there really isn't a huge reason to go past 17" especially on Impreza's.

[MD04WRX]

I perfer a 18" wheel. I think they look better on a lowered car. But then I had no choice since my big brake kit requires them. If you don't track the car then get what you like the best, regardless of what others may say.

[CoBB_tHiS!]

bump!
need advice!

[CoBB_tHiS!]

NVM! 17x7.5 TARMAC 2s WITH SOME BEEFY 225/45/17 YOKOHAMAS =) MAYBE 245

[fazeracing]

Originally Posted by CoBB_tHiS!

NVM! 17x7.5 TARMAC 2s WITH SOME BEEFY 225/45/17 YOKOHAMAS =) MAYBE 245

I have the same rim with kumho mx 225/45 coming from stock re92 the difference is unbelievable I can now put my sways to work . and as others have said i wouldn't recommend 245 on a 7.5 rim

[yzer]

17x7.5 is one of the magic wheels for WRX road driving. If you want street looks and can drive on nice new pavement all of the time, go for the 18's.

I drove 2 sets of MXs during four years (225/45ZR17s on 17x7.5 SSR Comps). This is a durable, responsive and high grip set up that beats other cars around the turns 99% of the time. Now I've kept the same wheels and have moved up to the Kumho XS tires. It's plain now that the limiting factor on the car is not the tires, but the stock suspension and I will upgrade that shortly.

[CoBB_tHiS!]

so handling wise i will be a lot better and grippier going with the 17 setup?

i just found out that there is only a .6lbs weight difference between the 18s and the 17s that im looking at

[yzer]

If you want durablity on paved road with a stock WRX, I'd go for 17". There are 225/45 tires out there with performance that will excede anything stock WRX power and suspensions will demand. There are also some 225's that will match some improvements over stock. You could go wider than 17x7.5 if you have the suspension or power mods to match, or if you want to buy a less sticky tire and still get maximum usable grip. It depends on how you want to use the car. Go with 18" if your are driving good pavement all of time (like auto-X and show/street) or 19" if show is the goal.

WRX drivers who want to be competive on nasty pavement or gravel go for 16" and 15" wheels. In any size: light weight and sufficient strength comes at a premium.