Nezumi

So I thought I've seen something similar to this topic on the boards at some point over my time here, but I must not be searching the correct key words, so forgive me if this has been asked before.

I've got a 350 with the sports package, so slight drop in the rear but not the front, and I don't want to upgrade the suspension. If I left it with the marginal drop it has, what wheels would look best on the car, 18s or 19s?

Quick common sense would say that 19s would make the fender gap smaller since the diameter of the wheel is larger, but I'm not so sure if that's really the case. Does it make a difference if the have the sport suspension vs. the normal one in this case?

Thanks

Pnuge88

iTrader: (1)

do you have a wheel in mind? depending on the design of a wheel. 19s could look better or 18's could look better.

Nezumi

I've been thinking about the Forgestar F14s in gunmetal (my car is TP):



Here is a pic of the car, although I realize the shadows make the tire blend into the wheel well:

IS-SV

19's with correct tire sizing and no change in drop will make fender gap look bigger. The reason is the shorter black tires sidewall versus the fender gap, so the appearance will be larger gap (since the ratio of sidewall to gap will change).

Nezumi

That's the explanation I was looking for. Thanks!

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

IS-V is correct. Unless you get a 19" tire with a larger sidewall. I'm not sure what the largest sidewall you can get in a 19" tire is. Browse tirerack.com site to see what's available.

IS-SV

Yes, this is common knowledge in the car customization world (larger diameter wheel with correct tire sizing will make fender gap look bigger, due to shorter tire sidewall).

Going to a taller sidewall is not a good option. Larger rolling diameter tires will have a tendency to rub, alter gearing (making gearing taller for slower acceleration if on rear wheels), alter speedo and odomoter accuracy.

Nezumi

So a quick followup question to this, in regards to the sidewall. Does that mean that a narrower wheel will also make the sidewall look larger (like a 18x8 vs. 18x8.5), or is there a tire size that makes the sidewall look the same height either way? I noticed a lot of people run a staggered setup (like 18x8.5 front, 18x9 or 18x9.5 rear) and does that mean that the tires are going to look different between the front and the rear?

IS-SV

Minor differences in wheel width (such as the case of 8.0 vs. 8.5") will have little or no impact on sidewall appearance.

Typical staggered wheels (such as what I run, 19x8.5 front/19x9.5 rear with 235/275 tires) combined with staggered tire sizes makes a big difference on appearance, mainly the rear tires look much wider. So you will see a lot of difference between the fronts and backs.

Nezumi

Great knowledge, looks like I'll have some info to munch on. Thanks again