14 replies to this topic

[rsdub]

the set up of 16 front and 17 rear seems all well and good but when it comes to the tyres its recommended to use a 195 50 and a 225 45 17?.now ...to me i would of thought a set of 17s all round with a 195 45 on the front would give the same stance and height plus a stiffer side wall.i personally dont like the smaller wheel at the front ,makes the car look slightly unbalanced if thats the word to use.was this set up thought of many years ago before the likes of affordable coilovers and the likes or is it because it works so well for all occasions i.e road and track

[Seb.F]

There's more tyre choice on the 16s? It's not about stance.

[rsdub]

ok... wrong choice of word.what i really meant was a 17 with a 45 profile is near as damn it the same as a 16 on a 50 profile.also adjustable dampening coilovers could mimick the 16s softness or stiffiness of the sidewall?

[Mangham54]

There's more tyre choice on the 16s? It's not about stance.

Also I suspect it was the combination of that and the fact that the Elise ran a simillar setup.

Though having heard some intreresting discussions at Snetterton the other weak the 16/17 setup seems to be last weeks news.

[Lps]

the one thing that stuck in my mind was a quote of Pennys from the other group buy for the Compos:

I have been pondering whether to write this or not... so here goes (all in my opinion / experience of course):

I've owned the VX 4 years now.
I went to the 16/17 combo at the beginning of year 2 of ownership and can honestly say its taken the best part of a further 2 years to get the handling to be anything as good as it was with the standard factory format of 17/17, suspension & geo.

The standard suspension, tyres (yes bridgies) and wheel size are pretty damn good. But you don't realise how good until you start fiddling and changing it all

Although saying that, I have now finally achieved hedonism.

Tyres - R888's = perfection
Brakes - Carbone Lorraine C5+ = perfect, absolutely no ABS issues
Suspension - GAZ = looks good lowered, firm ride almost severe on unsmooth roads
Geo - Plans Motorsport = fast road set-up

If I knew then what I know now I would have stayed with the standard 17/17.

[rsdub]

just to be safe think im going to buy 2 sets one being the 17/17s if possible

[Seb.F]

Though having heard some intreresting discussions at Snetterton the other weak the 16/17 setup seems to be last weeks news.

For a standard car it's fine. People like Jimmy may find the 17/17 work fine for them, personally the 16/17 has been proved to me in personal experience having driven the same 3 cars on both standard AND TD's, every single time simply switching to the TD's with Kumhos increased the steering feel for me. The 17's had just felt 'numb'. I for one, mainly went with the TDs for the fact that the Kumhos, again in personal experience are much better than the potenzas and almost a third the price = many more miles of fun for me

[rsdub]

Though having heard some intreresting discussions at Snetterton the other weak the 16/17 setup seems to be last weeks news.

For a standard car it's fine. People like Jimmy may find the 17/17 work fine for them, personally the 16/17 has been proved to me in personal experience having driven the same 3 cars on both standard AND TD's, every single time simply switching to the TD's with Kumhos increased the steering feel for me. The 17's had just felt 'numb'. I for one, mainly went with the TDs for the fact that the Kumhos, again in personal experience are much better than the potenzas and almost a third the price = many more miles of fun for me

this is what i need to hear....i have no experience of the cars handling as of yet so all info is good.which kumhos please

[WrightStuff]

Though having heard some intreresting discussions at Snetterton the other weak the 16/17 setup seems to be last weeks news.

For a standard car it's fine. People like Jimmy may find the 17/17 work fine for them, personally the 16/17 has been proved to me in personal experience having driven the same 3 cars on both standard AND TD's, every single time simply switching to the TD's with Kumhos increased the steering feel for me. The 17's had just felt 'numb'. I for one, mainly went with the TDs for the fact that the Kumhos, again in personal experience are much better than the potenzas and almost a third the price = many more miles of fun for me

this is what i need to hear....i have no experience of the cars handling as of yet so all info is good.which kumhos please

Ah but Jimmys 17/17 setup is a long way from standard! Standard is 175/55 and 225/45 isn't it ? I think he runs something like 205/50 and 245/40 on ATS rims? He rates it anyway over the usual td 16/17 setup anyway.

[jakbvx]

i would also like to know which khumos? i'm in on this group buy so i want to start shopping for the tyres!

Edited by jakbvx, 14 October 2011 - 09:35 PM.

[jules_s]

IME Standard wheels on OEM geo and Bridgies and not understanding how to drive it = understeery Standard wheels on OEM geo and bridgies and understanding how to drive it = ok/good Standard wheels on agressive geo and bridgies = very chuckable, tyre wear woeful, driving style less important to prevent understeer 16/17 wheels on agressive geo and Kumhos = very chuckable, tyre wear woeful...more pointy perhaps 16/17 wheels on less agressive geo and Kumhos = very chuckable, tyre wear acceptable....same pointyness as above, there are sooo many variables to take in Im not sure you can ever say changing to a 16/17 setup will make a massive difference in itself Setting the tyre pressure right will probably make more of a change than anything else As Seb said, tyre choice/price is a big part of the decision....the wheels pay for themselves pretty quickly

[JG]

what jules says. I'm a bit weary of the 17/17 combination when i know how good the 16/17 is. But its good that people are trying different things.

[JohnTurbo]

My astra fronts give me the same for a hundred quid or so. Think the 888s that are on them made more of a difference.

[Korkey]

Hello there. Just my 2 cents worth here. And for sure only MY opinion. But think long and hard before spending your cash. 17" all round. But wider at the front......... different wheel to standard. Motec Nitro. Front 17" x 7.5" @ 7.5 Kg £129 inc VAT Rear 17" x 9.0" @ 8.9 Kg £139 inc VAT R1R tyres. Should be good for at least 6000 miles maybe more. Are fine in the winter unless it is a real bad one. Then you will not be driving anyway. (I have driven these through our winters for 3 years on my Speed Six TVR Tuscan.) Standard shocks and springs........ but standard units modified to include rising and faling abutments. Bilstein do this for £15/shock +p&p................lower the car by 25mm front & rear, no more . Do take wishbone parallel attitude seriously..............corner weight the car with driver in it. Fast Lotus geo set up. I have driven a stage 4 car with 290 Bhp and ALL the trick bits including the 16" front rim..............Hmmm, might be faster in the hands of one Seb Vettel..........but not me! I found NO benefit whatsoever from the 16" rim size. It is so easy to spend a small fortune because of the "tide" of movement, and be sod all faster in reality. Let us remember who designed these cars. Bit smarter than the bloke down the road I feel. Korkey.

Edited by Korkey, 15 October 2011 - 07:36 AM.

[ChrisS1]

The 16/17 setup is/was cheaper than aftermarket 17/17 when I bought mine.