Stef2584J

Someone please tell me why some people use wider rims on back when upgrading to larger wheels?

joshoowa

iTrader: (1)

better traction
looks better

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Put "A LOT" in between look and better.

Jonny

Seize

Usually the goal when upgrading to larger wheels is for performance, handling and looks. When you go with the wider wheel in the rear, you're most likely going to go with a wider tire. A wider tire means more surface contact with the ground where as a narrower tire has less. The more surface contact you have with the ground, the better your traction and handling capabilities become. Since the the GS is a rear wheel drive car, it only makes sense you go with a staggered wheel set-up that has wider wheels in the rear.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Yes!! For GS wheels, only Stagger all the way!!
I love the look and the traction they provided!!

tonysofly

my next wheels will definitely be staggered.....it just doesn't feel right when it's not staggered, well after lookin at everybody else's wheels on CL. drove my friend's gs with staggered wheels, feels differently on the handling, no doubt about that

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Looks leaner and meaner with a staggered set up. Most performance cars like BMW M, Porshe, Corvette, have staggered fitments. Performance oriented folks love that set up. Go for it Unless you want to be a part of the dish network lol. j/k

4thone

I will be staggering next.

csq860

I agree with the staggered look, but another thing is actually having different size tires, say 18's front and 19's rear, or 19's and 20's. I know this is a popular setup on some sports cars but has anyone tried it on a GS, and if so what was it like?

LexFather

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stef2584J

Someone please tell me why some people use wider rims on back when upgrading to larger wheels?

Well it begins with car companies. If you look at high performance cars and exotics with a RWD setup, they go staggered (and in some AWD applications with a RWD bias), they have staggered sizes, i.e wider rear tires, to allow all that power the engine is making, to more effectively hit the road. If the tires were thinner, you get more wheelspin and less power to the ground.

If you notice real drag cars, they run wide slicks in the back, not only is it wider, with a slick, with no grooves, ALL that power can go to the tire. Grooves in street tires are for rain, and with less rubber, that is less power to the road.


You will notice the Pontica Grand prix GXP is the first FWD car to offer staggered up front. The front tires are wider than the rears, as it is a FWD car. Thing is with a FWD car, is gives the car MORE torque steer. It also looks ghey as hell.

If you notice FWD drag cars, the slicks and wider wheels are up front

Staggered on FWD cars is also ghey as hell, as you CLEARLY are in for looks and not the technical, purposeful function of the car.

I hope this helps you and those in this thread. Now time to bar-b-que!!

GStateOM

Question

How do you maintain staggered wheels? Since it can't be rotationed and switched, does that mean trend life is shorter?

mikal

you cant rotate them You would have to bring it to the tire shop to have them flip the tires.

GS300Rich

That is the only way to get extra life out of the tires. I flip them at about 8k miles before the tread gets too worn down.

JeffTsai

iTrader: (1)

You only have to get the tire removed and remounted if it is a directional tire. If its not, then you can just pull off the wheels and swap sides. However, perfomance tires are almost always directional. I'm sure all of you know this anyway

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well, actually there are more and more assymetric high performance tires out there now