Downsizing from 18" wheels to 17" for summer set up and ride comfort.

[grabgears6]

So, thinking aloud here, possibly looking at a wheel/tire set up for summer use and better ride quality.
Test mule: 2024 WRX limited on factory 18`s with DSW06`s.

Most of the roads here are CRAP, and debris spread all over. I`m aware that the differences in this minor tire height change is minimal, but experiences have proven a softer ride, while sacrificing a bit of cornering or mid turn performance. I do not run the car hard. A bit of spirited driving, but nothing like I used to back in the go fast days.

going from 18" x 8.5 +55 to 17 x 8 +55 wheel. (TBD on offset)
going from 245/40/18 97Y to 235 (245)/45/17 97W. I serious doubt Ill drive anywhere near the rating of W @ 168 mph

Pro`s: some decent choices and availability in a 17" out there, and a summer tire.
overall ride comfort, seams in the roads, pot holes, you get the idea.

Con`s, a bit more tire flex in cornering, BUT my passenger has her own Brake pedal and Jesus bar, lol.
I don`t get to let the car eat these days, and I`m really in no hurry. But country driving is absolutely beautiful, mostly older roads that need repair, Highway`s can be repaved, but most are always under construction, tore up, and plenty of crap in the road...

So just looking for some conversation, honest opinion or experience. TIA
I have complied some good data in the meantime.

 

[meep]

I think you will love it.

I had a ‘14 Lexus GS, a RWD sedan with a seriously fine Toyota engine - the Lexus variant of the 3.5 is a hot little motor. The thing came with 18” wheels and rode like poo. It was also a little sluggish on turn-in - I had to work the car more than I thought I should to get it to dance. It also looked funny with that much wheel.

So I downsized to a 17”, which barely cleared the brake calipers. It was wonderful. I think I first ran a set of all-season potenzas on it, and later the Michelin CC2. The smaller wheel absolutely improved the ride, but it also surprisingly helped the handling. It was easier to set up for turns and rotation. IMO the car benefited by every meaningful metric, not to mention the lighter rotating assembly.

That said, I did buy good wheels and tires. I went with Enkei, maybe the TSR-6? It’s a strong and lightweight wheel. Bridgestone Potenzas and Michelin CC2s are also upper-end tires.

I gave away the 18” oem wheels. After feeling the difference, I had no interest in ever putting them back on.

 

[Nessism1]

For comfort, go 235/50-17. The total diameter is 1/2" larger, which means the car will be lifted 1/4".

 

[SatinSilver]

Enkei PX-10 is a sharp looking wheel on Tirerack.

Maybe @edyvw has some tire size suggestions.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I'd do it! Yeah, I like real sidewalls too

If you're getting a pre-mounted tire/wheel package from Tire Rack, the Radius W116 wheels seem to be a good choice, made in Italy at a fair price

 

[daniel327]

I took off the OEM 17x7 wheels and 215/55R17 tires and fitted 16x7 wheels and 205/65R16 tires. The slightly sacrificed some handling. However, it shed about 10 pounds per wheel/tire combo and made the ride comfort significantly better. The new tires are also about 5/16" larger diameter than the OEM tires. So appearance and speedo accuracy are about the same.

 

[FZ1]

I took off the OEM 17x7 wheels and 215/55R17 tires and fitted 16x7 wheels and 205/65R16 tires. The slightly sacrificed some handling. However, it shed about 10 pounds per wheel/tire combo and made the ride comfort significantly better. The new tires are also about 5/16" larger diameter than the OEM tires. So appearance and speedo accuracy are about the same.

This^^^^^^. A greater aspect ratio contributes to more comfort.

 

[grabgears6]

Holy Sheep Dip Batman!!! what a huge PITA to choose wheels!!! I would like something a bit different, classy perhaps. not the same old same old that the blue haired vapers have... ugh

 

[JohnnyG]

Holy Sheep Dip Batman!!! what a huge PITA to choose wheels!!! I would like something a bit different, classy perhaps. not the same old same old that the blue haired vapers have... ugh

What's a blue haired vapor?

Oh wait, yes, my neighbor! He seems to think Polypropylene Glycol is harmless in your lungs!

 

[grabgears6]

welp, maybe? Magnetite Grey WRX, these wheels are Hypercarbon, cool color. and I have not used a Goodyear tire in decades... but decent reviews for dry and wet... even though I avoid severe wet days...

 

[grabgears6]

 

[FZ1]

Holy Sheep Dip Batman!!! what a huge PITA to choose wheels!!! I would like something a bit different, classy perhaps. not the same old same old that the blue haired vapers have... ugh

Can you keep your wheels and just, slightly, up the aspect ratio?

 

[grabgears6]

Can you keep your wheels and just, slightly, up the aspect ratio?

6spd turbo, non programable speedo, Id rather step down to the base model size wheel with a wide ratio, this also very closely matches the OEM tire profile. Plus finding something different that every WRX has is tough.

 

[grabgears6]

 

[FZ1]

6spd turbo, non programable speedo, Id rather step down to the base model size wheel with a wide ratio, this also very closely matches the OEM tire profile. Plus finding something different that every WRX has is tough Unknown, if the new wheels will be "true".

Looks good. Hope the new wheels are "True"

 

[grabgears6]

Looks good. Hope the new wheels are "True"

so far I have had good luck with Konig

 

[grabgears6]

Looks good. Hope the new wheels are "True"

but the OEM wheel is +55 offset, where as, this new wheel is +40, Ive had +45 offset which was fine. Most Subi people say to go with +38...
whats avail is this +40, is the only offset in that 17" wheel I could find... My eyes bleeding from looking a pics and stats.
a bit of positive scrub radius going from the 55 to 40, the wheel tire combo will be a bit more flush.

 

[meep]

Pay attention to construction. You don’t want the basic gravity cast construction. Oem wheels are usually pressure cast. Enkie uses a mechanical method to strengthen the metal.

 

[grabgears6]

Pay attention to construction. You don’t want the basic gravity cast construction. Oem wheels are usually pressure cast. Enkie uses a mechanical method to strengthen the metal.

these konigs are flow formed, strong wheel for the price point. Ive had their Hypergram in carbon metallic before, awesome wheel.

 

[TiGeo]

I run 17x9s with 245/40s as my track setup. My street setups are both 18x8.5s with 235/40s. I love the 17" Apexes.