Why are wheels getting so large?

[CaptainSlow]

One thing I have wondered recently is why wheels are getting so big. It seems that even the blandest Euro-box now comes on 18" wheels. Is it just a faze and sizes will get smaller again?

[killsta]

They look cool.

[TonyRPH]

And in many cases just plain stupid.

[Speed_Demon]

Cars getting fatter.

[FreeLitres]

Because 'they are cool' and normal wheels would look tiny on these bloated modern cars?

Imagine original Mini wheels on a BMW MINI.

[randomwalk]

It allows for bigger brakes and lower profile tyres

[Ry_B]

Many reasons, mainly looks and the fact that bigger brakes fit behind them I'd say if I had to guess.

[FreeLitres]

randomwalk said:

It allows for bigger brakes

True - need big brakes for the fat fker cars

[TonyRPH]

randomwalk said:

It allows for bigger brakes and lower profile tyres

Yeah I think this person could get some bigger brakes in.

[Waynester]

TonyRPH said:

randomwalk said:

It allows for bigger brakes and lower profile tyres

Yeah I think this person could get some bigger brakes in.

There's something about that car that I just don't like... difficult to be sure what it is...GOT IT, that vinyl roof is horrible!


The bigger the wheels also the harsher the ride as the balloon tyres of yesteryear did a fine job of helping the suspension.

[anonymous-user]

I think the brake size and weight issue would explain up to 17" wheels perhaps - let's not forget than the 330bhp, 1900KG Jaguar XJ12 of 1995 managed just fine on 16" wheels. The brake discs on the Veyron are only 15.4" so would probably fit inside 18 - 19" wheels, so I don't think a 150bhp, 1700KG Audi A6 diesel really requires 18" - 19" wheels based on it's weight or brake disc size.

I think it's a combination of low profile tyres being fashionable (due to styling and "sporty" ride the motoring journos have convinced everyone they want) along with the requirement for the wheel/tyre not to look undersized on bloated modern car designs. Some of the bigger sizes look utter ste, but that's mostly after market chav stuff.

Dave

Edited by dme123 on Saturday 16th October 20:19

Edited by dme123 on Saturday 16th October 20:20

[mybrainhurts]

killsta said:

They look cool.

Innit....

[rallycross]

I think its because the majority of people who buy new cars know nothing about cars (ie how a car drives and its dynamics) and simply due to looks they think huge wheels are great.


Idiots.

[williamp]

Yes, I suspoect its a marketing-led decision, rather then an engineeeing-led decision (except Caterham and F1 teams, who know that a small diameter wheel is better)

[otolith]

Marketing and styling.

F1 teams don't have a choice, though.

[Unleaded Only]

McLaren F1, my all time favourite super car.

1140 kg.
627 hp engine.
Top speed of 391 km/h with rev limiter disabled.

17 inch wheels front and back, and they still look big on it. Wheels doesn't have to be bigger, except if it's necessary for clearance of the brakes.

Here's a picture just for the sake of it.

Edited by James Dean on Saturday 16th October 20:45

[Matthew_Eames]

My old 306 had 15" (Cyclone GTI wheels) on which was the largest ever fitted to the car, looked great, had a good ride and cost little to change.

Now my BMW has 18" wheels (E46 sport), they look good yes, but its probably a bit excessive, although because the car has been designed around them (big brakes that would never fit under 15" wheels (infact the brakes are probably 15") and large wheel arches then you have to live with a firmer ride and more expense when changing tyres.

I wanted the sport model yes, and the 18" that go with it, but if it had had 17 or even 16" wheels (and looked in proportion) then that would have been fine if not a little better...it's fashon led really as I bet a 4 pot caliper with smaller discs can give similar levels of braking performance for road use, hence allowing for smaller discs and therefore wheels, but this is not done because big wheels look better (yes I understand that bigger discs allow for better leverage and cooling, but the same power could be achieved with better calipers, and road use does not really demand constant stopping from high speed)

I have no doubt that the E46 would ride a lot better (it's not too bad really) with more sidewall, but the 16" wheels are associated with poverty spec models and as such, dont appeal.

[DannyVTS]

I'll stick with my "15's" thanks

[Gompo]

FreeLitres said:

Because 'they are cool' and normal wheels would look tiny on these bloated modern cars?

It's this. Pure aesthetics, or indeed the lack of them.

[Munter]

DannyVTS said:

I'll stick with my "15's" thanks

Poser.

I'm sticking with my 14" wheels.

Just had them reconditioned and everything.