Large alloys - what is the point?
Discussion
CommanderJameson said:
Urban Sports said:
Are big wheels useless?
Yes. My car handles and rides better on its 16 inch wheels than it would on, say 18s. And the tyres are cheaper.
But then, I do like to see a bit of sidewall, me.
My first Honda S2000 was far superior on 17s than it's original 16s, although 18s are supposed to be terrible on them.
Do you really think big wheels are useless, surely it depends on their application?
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
LukeSi said:
It isn't just big wheels which are easily curbed, the Panda only has little 15 inch alloys but the finish is that crap if you even so much as park within a 10 feet of a curb it marks them.
I've got a Panda and it's got 13" wheels. Standard fit, 155/80 tyres. I considered getting some alloys but I find the ride a bit jiggly so with 15" wheels that would have to probably be 50 or 55 profile to fit..... I can feel my back aching already.
bmw535i said:
Urban Sports said:
v8will said:
With the exception of being needed to fit over huge brakes on some cars it's all style over substance.
Ever seen an E90 on 16" wheels?
They look shyte, the ones with the bigger wheels look much better.Ever seen an E90 on 16" wheels?
tUrban Sports said:
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
The wifes honda accord was much better to drive and be in with the smaller poverty wheels we ran during the winter
thinfourth2 said:
Urban Sports said:
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
The wifes honda accord was much better to drive and be in with the smaller poverty wheels we ran during the winterUrban Sports said:
Having driven an e90 a few times on 16s mine on 18s drives much better IMO.
My first Honda S2000 was far superior on 17s than it's original 16s, although 18s are supposed to be terrible on them.
Do you really think big wheels are useless, surely it depends on their application?
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
I actually went for the 528i SE because it came with 16" wheels. It's not as if an (at the time) 7-year-old car costing about £6K was a massive "considerably richer than yow" statement.My first Honda S2000 was far superior on 17s than it's original 16s, although 18s are supposed to be terrible on them.
Do you really think big wheels are useless, surely it depends on their application?
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
I've driven an assortment of Fords and Vauxhalls (as hire cars) and the ones that handle best and ride best, especially on the motorway, are the ones on either small-ish alloys or steelies. I drove an E60 530d on 18s and while the ride was good, it wasn't as good as mine.
Aesthetically, I think that "normal"* cars on big alloys have a habit of looking like roller-skates.
Big wheels are simply fashion, IMHO; they have precious little to do with driving. That some cars with big wheels handle well is a tribute to the suspension engineers involved.
*"normal" meaning "not a Lambo or Ferrari or other superdupercar"
ianwayne said:
I've got a Panda and it's got 13" wheels. Standard fit, 155/80 tyres.
I considered getting some alloys but I find the ride a bit jiggly so with 15" wheels that would have to probably be 50 or 55 profile to fit..... I can feel my back aching already.
Mines a 100hp I considered getting some alloys but I find the ride a bit jiggly so with 15" wheels that would have to probably be 50 or 55 profile to fit..... I can feel my back aching already.
Actually I think the profile is 195/45/R15, and contrary to popular belief the 100hp is far from uncomfortable.
swiveleyedgit said:
Patrick Bateman said:
At what age do you start to become overly concerned with a harsh ride?
No pun intended.
58No pun intended.
I bought my car with 18s on it and got fed up arriving at work with my spine sticking out the top of my head so bought a set of 17s, (originals were 16s). Not a huge difference in diameter but the ride quality is like night and day with little or no discernable difference in handling/roadholding.
Big rims are ok so long as the suspension has been designed (and typically sophisticated enough, ie expensive) with them in mind. The big rims on jags prove this... Ok not the absolute best ride quality but it's still pretty good.
But take say, the current gen civic and its crummy rear suspension and short, therefore necessary stiffer front suspension and it's horrible. Even with the 16's the ride is quite harsh and road noise loud on all but the smoothest of roads. On 18's it's downright awful and then you can also get 19's on the type r which has even stiffer suspension.
I've heard that is pretty unbearable, mostly for passengers.
But take say, the current gen civic and its crummy rear suspension and short, therefore necessary stiffer front suspension and it's horrible. Even with the 16's the ride is quite harsh and road noise loud on all but the smoothest of roads. On 18's it's downright awful and then you can also get 19's on the type r which has even stiffer suspension.
I've heard that is pretty unbearable, mostly for passengers.
CommanderJameson said:
That some cars with big wheels handle well is a tribute to the suspension engineers involved.
It used to be the case, don't know if it still is, that a car's suspension was developed/optimised around a particular wheel/tyre combination which was usually from the smaller end of its available sizes (e.g. 205/55 R16).Fitting (optional) larger wheels/lower profile tyres simply increased the unsprung mass and reduced tyre sidewall depth to an extent that the spring/dampers were operating outside of their optimum to the detriment of ride/handling.
In other words a car engineered around and fitted with 18" wheels will, usually, ride/handle better that one engineered around 16" wheels that is then fitted with 18" from the otions list.
CommanderJameson said:
Urban Sports said:
Having driven an e90 a few times on 16s mine on 18s drives much better IMO.
My first Honda S2000 was far superior on 17s than it's original 16s, although 18s are supposed to be terrible on them.
Do you really think big wheels are useless, surely it depends on their application?
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
I actually went for the 528i SE because it came with 16" wheels. It's not as if an (at the time) 7-year-old car costing about £6K was a massive "considerably richer than yow" statement.My first Honda S2000 was far superior on 17s than it's original 16s, although 18s are supposed to be terrible on them.
Do you really think big wheels are useless, surely it depends on their application?
Makes me wonder how many people who have a BMW or AUDI (etc) with small wheel spec say that they prefer it but would really in truth prefer the higher spec car? I'd wager it on being the majority.
I've driven an assortment of Fords and Vauxhalls (as hire cars) and the ones that handle best and ride best, especially on the motorway, are the ones on either small-ish alloys or steelies. I drove an E60 530d on 18s and while the ride was good, it wasn't as good as mine.
Aesthetically, I think that "normal"* cars on big alloys have a habit of looking like roller-skates.
Big wheels are simply fashion, IMHO; they have precious little to do with driving. That some cars with big wheels handle well is a tribute to the suspension engineers involved.
*"normal" meaning "not a Lambo or Ferrari or other superdupercar"
To say they are useless is a tad silly IMO.
Puddenchucker said:
CommanderJameson said:
That some cars with big wheels handle well is a tribute to the suspension engineers involved.
It used to be the case, don't know if it still is, that a car's suspension was developed/optimised around a particular wheel/tyre combination which was usually from the smaller end of its available sizes (e.g. 205/55 R16).Fitting (optional) larger wheels/lower profile tyres simply increased the unsprung mass and reduced tyre sidewall depth to an extent that the spring/dampers were operating outside of their optimum to the detriment of ride/handling.
In other words a car engineered around and fitted with 18" wheels will, usually, ride/handle better that one engineered around 16" wheels that is then fitted with 18" from the otions list.
You can't expect to stick 18" wheels on an SE 3 series and expect it to be better, just like you can't put 16" wheels on an M3 and expect that to be better either.
Obviously "useless" is a hyperbolic term, used for effect, in this conversation - after all, any wheel is better than none at all.
>doesn't notice all but the deepest potholes, doesn't have problems with tramlining, pays less for wheels and tyres, doesn't need a separate set of winter wheels on his 13-y-o snotter<
>doesn't notice all but the deepest potholes, doesn't have problems with tramlining, pays less for wheels and tyres, doesn't need a separate set of winter wheels on his 13-y-o snotter<
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