AnArtist1 Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 20 inch or 18 inch Wheels, whats the difference (apart from the size!!!!)? I think 20s look better, but is there a performance benefit as well? So many questions........(as usual) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werejackal Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 As a general rule, the idea of bigger wheels is to reduce the effects of tyres distorting under cornering. This means that you can usually carry more speed through corners. The side effect though is that the ride becomes a lot firmer, and can even become jumpy if the wheels are too big. For instance, the TVR T350 comes with 16" wheels as standard, and it performs best with these wheels. However, a lot of people opt for 18" wheels, and the handling actually suffers as a result of too little give in the tyres. There's a LOT of good information here: http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/ I'd be interested to know what tyres the 18" and 20" wheels run on. Were cars supplied from the factory with 20" wheels calibrated to a different rolling radius than ones supplied with 18" wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigyb Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 The S8's could be ordered with 18" or 20" as standard, the later S8's were 20" wheels as standard on the special editions. Mine are 255x35 ZR20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 245/35 on my 18" Sport, the ride is firm(ish) but deemed acceptable. Incidentally I drove and XK8 with 20" rims at the weekend and the ride was surprising good, no crashing through pot-holes - very pleasantly surprised how good it coped with such little rubber. Wouldn't fancy it at speed through the twisties mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 I had 18's on mine, running 245/45's the ride was pretty good. I then changed to 20's running 245/35's as this was deemed to be the correct tyre fitting. The ride was a little firmer, but great through the twisties Now my 20's are running 245/40's as this is apparently the OEM tyre size for our mota's. Still playing with the tyre pressures (might be going 40 front 36 back) to get the same feel as I had before. Ride is much smoother than with the 245/35's but still lovely around those lovely twisty roads over our way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnArtist1 Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Thats what I'm after, good on the twisty bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a4tdi130 Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Why don't you get 19", best of both worlds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 After seeing BumpRT's car, go for the 20s. Trust me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnArtist1 Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 I was pleasantly suprised with the ride of an S8 with 20s, but I didn't get a chance to go mental on twisty fast roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 I'll be honest with you, I recently took an S8 out for a test drive (around some twisty bits ) and found that it handled no better than mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8Mark Posted July 17, 2005 Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 Agree go for the 20",they look the business and do improve the handling(a little)... Mark.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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