Manaray

$550 for Chrome 18's is pretty good price...a few bucks less than retail...

What width did he recommend? I would think to do 18x9 all around (+43) or a 18x9 up front and a 18x10 (+43 or +37) out back if you stagger (which I recommend)

You'll be stretching you tires a little bit but it doesn't look like the A/X-S comes in 8.5" or 9.5"....

Will: Cool...could definitely use the help! Thanks!

lex430

Hi wheel gurus:

I am looking for 18" wheels, and I am wondering what difference does the width make on tires?

From my reading of this site, I was looking for 18x8.5 all around with 245/40 tires. I am looking for balance between handling/cost/maintenance.

However, I see that some wheels do not have 8.5 available, so is it better to go 8 or 9 width for the same size tire? or does that change the tire size too??

Is there a "optimal" tire size for 18x8, or 18x9 wheel?

manaray: when you say "stretched" tires a bit, does that affect tire life? ride quality? or anything?

thanks alot,

GS4Will

lex,

for the criteria that your are looking for 245/40/18 would be ideal. go for either 18x8.5, or 18x9 all around.

the width on the wheels and tyres are like guys wearing belts. say, you are a 32" waist, your ideal belt lenth would be 34-35". if you get the 32" length, you do not have much left to work with. but if you get the 36" or higher, you would left with too much leather around your waist.

for 245/40/18, this is the range of wheel width which most tyre co recommends(check w/the tyre you like, some varies slightly):

min: 8" ideal 8.5" max allowed 9.5".

if you get the 18x8s, the wheel might look even smaller.
i have seen 18x9s on 245/40/18, it looked a bit stretched, still ok though, imo.

hey manaray,

what do you think if i suggest lex here to get 18x9s for now, and go for 245/40/18. and later on when he wants to, the rear can also take 275/40/18?

will

Manaray

Hey, this whole DH is pretty cool!

I think doing 18x9 would be better. And I would do a 255/40-18 all around...then you can move up to a 265/40 out back later on....275 could work but the sidewall would be a little bubbled...

kuruption213

anyone know where you can get a good price for Toyo T1-S 18/8/235 or 245. Also how many miles do you guys with 18s get out before they are worn out. Its hard to shell out a 1K every few months.

Manaray

Well if you're concerned about spending a ton of cash on tire, then forget Toyos....

Instead, get Kumho's...they're only $125/ea (245/40-18) and they're great tires. Plus they last a long time...

If you want to conserve tires, just don't do burnouts and stuff...if you drive the car NORMAL, then the tires should last you quite a while...I was on a set of Nittos for over a year and that was with daily canyon driving (but not all ***** out every day of course...just occasionally )

GS4Will

K,

just for reference, i can get the toyos for $950 installed.

but if the prices concern you, as manaray said, get the kumhos. the prices are cheaper than some 17s.

will

lex430

I know there has been numerous and long discussion on tires, but what is the best tire for long lasting? Without sacraficing too much for handling and noise.

kuruption213

oh really so the tires only wear out quick if you do alot of burnouts and things like that. I'm a real laid back driver and don't really do that alot , only once in a while when I have to teach someone a lesson . So how do the Kumho's ride because my main concern is keeping the quietness and smoothness of the drive. I had said Toyo's because people on the board had said they were the best as far as keeping the ride, but obviously that comes with a price.

GS4Will

lex,

bridge re730
yoko avs db
toyo t1s

Manaray

Lex430 - The Kumho's UTQG is rated at 280 for their ZR tires...Nitto are rated at 300...I had a set of Nittos on a previous car and on the non-powered wheels, the tires lasted well over 30,000K miles (I sold the car at 33K and the tires looked new)...

Kuruption213 - If you drive laid back, any high UTQG rated tire will last quite some time...the Kumhos ride great. I can't really compare the quietness/smoothness of the tires because I haven't ridden in any GS's with Kumho's yet but in other cars, I didn't notice any excessive noise or harshness (the cars rode the same with the Kumho's as they did with the factory tires as far as I could tell).

Toyo's are not the end all and be all of tires. Trust me. I've had Toyos before and they were no better than the Nittos or anything else. They did last longer than all of the Pirelli's I've ever had the misfortune to own but so did the Nittos. I honestly don't think you're going to notice a huge difference between the Kumho's and Toyos...and for a near $500 difference (you can buy two SETS of Kumhos for the price of one Toyo set), you can't go wrong...

Manaray

Here's another link for the Trance wheels...

http://www13.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/ta3...e18/trance.htm