benefits of bigger rims?

[spud814]

So what are the benefits of putting bigger rims like 16 or 17 inch rims on our cars or any car in general besides the car looking a lot better? Will handling improve? Is there any other benefits?[/code]

[Ryan Stewart]

You can fit bigger brakes. Wider rims give you more room for rubber but the taller (16"17") move the weight farther out and are usually heavier hurting preformance.

Also the sidewall is part of the suspension, removing the sidewall makes it rougher and heavy wheels bounce more.

They do save some sprung weight by making your wallet lighter.

[natorious]

generally your car will perform better with smaller wheels especially acceleration and cornering... the taller side walls allow the tire to have some give meaning when they get to the limit of adhesion they dont just let go like a lo profile tire does... its more gradual...

big wheels are for show unless there are huge brakes behind them (or in rare cases need the bigger contact patch)

wider isnt always better either.... too wide will screw up the suspension geometry and especially on front wheel drive cars like an acura integra or most vws (most notable the corrado) can increase the cars tendency to whip the tail around (snap oversteer) when you dont want it to

and then you have to factor in that big wheels are heavier and the mass is farther away from the center of the wheel... meaning its harder for the car to spin them and they can put alot of stress on brakes (suvs with 24s and higher have sheared brake calipers off from the insane leverage a wheel that big has) wide wheels can cause alot of wind resistance as well

[Brew]

Benefits?
Good looks, quicker steering response, clearance for bigger brakes. Thats about it.

[skat 325is]

I think they also change ratios of the car, and affect top end speed ?

Someone care to correct me ?

[nando]

no. Tire diameter affects that, not wheel diameter (unless you're trying to put 20's on an E30)

[krisco]

Bigger wheels have less inertia at higher speeds.

[rwh11385]

I personally like my larger wheels. They may be heavier than a Sumo, but I still like them.

Driving on a wide wheel is very nice and helps to gain more traction. Oh course, it's not like stock is really lacking (6.5" wide basket weave.......)

I prefer the shorter sidewall. I have some stiff as hell GC springs, but riding on basketweaves 195/65 feels too soft.

I am painfully scared I will bend a wheel over railroad tracks tho. I simply avoid them when on my Borbets. Now on my basketweaves, I have more options of routes because I don't get the teeth chattering jolt.

But all in all, its preference. I may have to get some 205/60 or 205/55 tires to throw on my basketweaves for autocrossing. 44lbs per corner is probably just too heavy. Tire/wheel combos are 35lb for baskets, and 9lb heavier for Borbets with 205/50 ES100.

I enjoy my handling with larger wheels more than on baskets. Of course, it is not a fair comparison as the baskets sport SNOW TIRES. Oh well, I get crazy grip with my wheels and tires. I thank my awesome ES100's and the wide wheel.