ive been debating on rim sizes. i cant choose between 19'' or 18''. i want 19s because they fill the gaps perfect. but i still want to drift and cruise around without worrying about dinging my rims or hitting potholes. the 19s that i have, match the body kit that i plan to get. what do you guys suggest?

 

19's in the rear, 18's in the front

 

It's simple -- if you are regularly driving on public roads and want to minimize the risk of damaging the wheels, then you don't run 19s. 18s look plenty big on an FD and can still make a "dramatic statement" if that's what you're looking for.

You should see how puny the stock brakes look in 19" wheels anyway.....

 

What about 18's with a slightly larger tire? or just go with what HAI said.

 

if u get a taller tire your car will start looking like a 4x4 or rub on your fender liner or body work.

It is your car...I personally think 19 look like wagon wheels but oh well. I know jimlab will be putting 19's on his V8 project.

And if you think about your statement about fillin the gaps I hope you mean by width not height. the reason is that you should try to stick to as close as stock diameter as possible. If that is the case than you don't really fill the gaps with a larger wheel as the combo of the tire and wheel is still the same diameter. However, you can "fill" the car out with wider wheels.

If you already got the 19's then just put them on.

 

FDs arn't designed(1) to run with two different rim heights ie 19s in rear and 18s in front.




1. This information according to rishie

 

Why is that? People run different height tires all the time on FD's...

 

I have seen an rx7 with 20" on the rear and 19" on the front. Will anything happen if their are different sizing?

 

Tire sizing is almost more important.

My front tires are too damn tall and they rub like a biatch.

245/40/18 in the front
285/30/18 in the rear

*sigh*

I agree that anything bigger than 18" is unncessary, is TOO bling-bling-ish, and I wouldn't suggest any bigger especially for daily-driving/cruising.

I like my 18's.



Now would a cute guy like me pose in front of a car he DIDN'T approve of?

*cough* dies *cough*

LOL :P

 

alright. but i dont like staggered fittement, cuz if you get a flat or jacked up rim, youre screwed! i already got the 19s, and want a showyish aspect also. im planning on getting the wide fenders in the future, so rubbing should not be an issue...right? and if you can fit 20s...shouldnt i be able to put some thicker rubber on the 19s?

 

ummmm NO. As you increase your wheel size, you progressively get a lower profile tire to keep it close to stock diameter.

That is..the diameter of a stock wheel and tire.

Maybe you should plug some numbers into this calculator to help you visualize it.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

our stock tires are 225/50/16

 

so in Yoshi's case his 24/50/18 are 25.7 inches in diameter. Almost a full inch "taller" than stock which is 24.9 inch in diameter. A "wide" body kit won't help you much with height. It is only good for fitting a wider wheel not a taller one (in general).