[zerocover]

I'm debating between 17" or 18" wheels. I would like to know of how many swedespeeders went with the 18" wheels and a 40 series profile to find that they have cracked/bent their wheels.

I live in NJ so the roads are especially bad, and would like to hear from people about what the worst case scenario is.

I was thinking of running 18" wheels with 45 series sidewall but that might make the wheels too large to run on a lowered car (soon eibachs)

 

[MarvynDT]

Re: Bent 18" wheels (zerocover)

I previously had 18" Team Dynamic Motosports on my Civic Si about 8-9 years ago. I managed to bend all 4 wheels using the GSP and 280 daily. I cannot remember if I had 35 or 40 series tires, but either way expect to eventually bend/crack a wheel in NJ.

FYI - If there are no visible construction signs, you may have success claiming with the GSP's insurance for the cost of repair. I did this when I bent 2 of the 4. A few months later I bent the other 2.

 

[PureDrive07]

Re: Bent 18" wheels (MarvynDT)

No issues bending/cracking 16/17/18 wheels in NJ...I did bend two 15" winter wheels on my S40 in North Jersey. The key to running bigger wheels with low profile is PSI atleast 40 and have a good weight rating on the wheel. I'm running 235/40/18 Continental ConitExtremeContacts 91W with 40 PSI and have had no problems driving in PA/NJ/NY/NYC on my R.

 

[Moofluffen]

Re: Bent 18" wheels (PureDrive07)

I've never bent an 18" driving on Vancouver roads or elsewhere. I have destroyed some 15s though.

Drive carefully and you should be ok. There's definitely some wheels out there that are softer and more prone to breaking/bending

Edit: Anyone seen this?

 

[vivek9856]

Re: Bent 18" wheels (Moofluffen)

I have 18x8 rims on my S80 with 245 40 18, and I have curb rashed 3 of the rims really badly, but haven't bent any rims yet.

Actually, I ran over a 2x4 at 70 MPH and didn't bend the rim - I just got an insanely large sidewall bubble. Speaking of which - I have gotten two or three sidewall bubbles with these low profile tires. So while you might not bend your rims, you might run into problems with bubbles.

 

[zerocover]

Re: Bent 18" wheels (vivek9856)

Lets just say I had some bad experiences on my mazda that I had on 205/40/17's

Ist set of wheels cracked one on 280 in the middle of the summer, it was raining and the pot hole, in the left lane, filled up with rain. So I didnt see it.

I had to replace the whole set becuase they were discontinued.
Those were replaced by these.

Same size, hit a pot hole and cracked the lip, I got them used so it didnt cost that much but still wtf. It was cheaper to replace the whole set then replace the one wheel so they were replaced by these, when I gave my brother the car.

With these one rim was bent so my bro paid to get it straitened. ($50) not bad. Then another was bent so now the car rides on 16's!

FYI, I have never had a bubble in my sidewall.

I'm thinking no more light weight wheels. Maybe 18" pegs or something else that would be volvo strong.

 

[Kallvin22]

Re: Bent 18" wheels (zerocover)

I've been running 225/40/18s for about a week and a half now mostly in city roads seattle.

I try to drive like a ninja to avoid all potholes! I'm very afraid of bending my wheels, but so far the ride hasn't been all too bad. Much better handling but without lowering, you certainly sit higher

 

[zerocover]

225/40/18s are near stock size. Were you really more off the ground?

 

[Kallvin22]

Re: (zerocover)

Quote, originally posted by zerocover »

225/40/18s are near stock size. Were you really more off the ground?

Not by much, but you certainly can tell. I easily grew accustomed to it though.