8 replies to this topic

[Peggen]

Hi My tires on the original wheels are after a couple of track days gone. Although they worked surprisingly fine on track for being the standard road wheels and tires, the sessions were obvious indications for an update in both tires and wheel dimensions. Ultimately I like the idea of same wheel dimensions front and back to "rotate" the wheels since front and rear doesn't wear equal, and this would allow me changing the whole set at once next time. 17x8 all around seams to be a good compromise for a 2.2 NA due to: standardized and common wheel size = economic = afford changing often = better performance - Will 17x8 fit in the front without modifications? Then I see a lot of recommendations for having 16x7 at the front and 17x9 in the back. - What kind and size of difference does this do in steering performance, what are the pros and cons? - Is 9" wide really meaningfully for a 2.2 NA or would the increased weight take out more performance than increased grip. Looking at the MAK XLR wheels which seams to be a low weight and low cost option. Prioritizing track performance and economy in front of a supple road ride.

[Samwise]

I may be wrong but I think you're highly likely to get alot of rubbing on the front wheels if you go for 8" width.

I also wanted 17's all round, mainly for the looks but it has also kept us out of any ABS problems. In the end we went for 17x7.5 (et20) fronts and 17x8 (et35) rears with 205/17/40 and 235/17/45 tyres, great combo so far!

[Scuffers]

17 inch fronts are too tall really, 

 

Assides that, 8 inch wide is way too much.. (as is 9 inch rears).

 

Realistically, 7j16 and 8j17 (or maybe 8.5j17) are ideal.

 

Same with tyres, 200 wide is more than enough for the front.

[T VXT]

Make sure you look into the import tax on the MAK XLR wheels, unless you know a UK dealer.

 

They do make these in the correct size, ie 16 front and 17 rear

 

 

Edited by T VXT, 29 April 2014 - 10:45 AM.

[slindborg]

Make sure you look into the import tax on the MAK XLR wheels, unless you know a UK dealer.

 

They do make these in the correct size, ie 16 front and 17 rear

 

 

 

 

OP's Location = Sweden

[2-20]

You can install 8x17 wheels at the front but you will need to modify the wheel well with extension

 

If you have similar wheel front and rear you will have a wrong offset somewhere (unless you use shims to reach the right offset).

But because you will use different tyres you won't be able to rotate them .

[Peggen]

Words of wisdoms indeed! Maybe I should get over the ambition of being able to rotate tires, there are other ways of being economical. Sounds like the 16x7 and 17x8 combinations is the one most straight forward for a sure fit and good performance. ... unless I'm going the extra mile with spacers, modifying arches etc for what I assume is questionable gains....

[Paulus H]

OK, it is late I'll try to expain clearly. Each tyre wears according to the suspension gyomety and loadings. On virtually every car the tront and rear tyres wear differently. If you sway tyres front to rear the contact patch will not be the same resulting in reduced grip. Usually tyres will wear quickly so that the contact patch soon be the same as before swapping. Depending on the type of use you could wear away the tyres so that the wear pattern was the same as before within 500km. Obviously this will reduce the life span of the tyres dramaically. Swapping tyres front to rear is great if you are looking to reduce the grip available and if you wish to wear out your tyres quickly. When I first started driving car manufactures recommended swapping tyres round for the benifit of the tyre manufactures. However due to safety concerns and the impact to the environment this is not the case anymore. I would say you would be better to have a 16/17 sert up obviously not swapping them front to rear and with the money you save by not wearing your tyres out as quickly have a holiday abroud. Best regards, Paul

[slindborg]

Also swapping isn't as easy anymore with directional tyres, staggered sizing and most most most importantly.... Wearing one pair of tyres out at a time gets you into a dealer/mechanic/tyre fitter more often for them to try and sell you stuff needlessly or to try and sell 4 tyres on 'offer' when you only need 2 etc.