Difference between 17s & 18s

[supersaw]

Just got back from the stealer's after dropping off our mcs shod with 17 inch crown spokes,as a loaner they gave me a mcs with jcw 109s on.Wow what a difference it was like driving with no suspension at all,i drove exactly the same root back home, still gob smacked. i understand the ride has to be shall we say firm but with the 18s on your compromising the usability of the car surly????

[nylo]

It's entirely a matter of choice, and what you want the car to do.

I've got JCW R105 18s on my S with Works suspension, and yes it is firm, but that doesn't stop me enjoying it. I travel one lane back roads to and from work every day, and yes, it mightn't glide over every ripple in the surface like a ONE on 15s, but I love the look of them, and would be hard pushed to go smaller again...

[Baraka]

Quote: Originally Posted by supersaw (original)

Just got back from the stealer's after dropping off our mcs shod with 17 inch crown spokes,as a loaner they gave me a mcs with jcw 109s on.Wow what a difference it was like driving with no suspension at all,i drove exactly the same root back home, still gob smacked. i understand the ride has to be shall we say firm but with the 18s on your compromising the usability of the car surly????

Perhaps the suspension was also different?!

[supersaw]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baraka (original)

Perhaps the suspension was also different?!

Could well be ill make enquiry when it goes back

[UnderRadar]

17's are the way to go in my opinion. Lighter, cheaper, better ride quality, and you aren't compromising handling. In fact most autocross guys use 16's or 17's anyway. Really, you just get 18's for the looks.

[Richard Crofts]

I ran Dares X4s 18" and the handling was aweful ... but I was lulled over time...then when I went to my TD 17" I was gobsmacked at how bad the Dares had been :shock:

Looks 18s...handling 16s. Good inbetween... 17s

[humph]

I've always had 17s on my MINIs until I bought my 18" Rotas, since then I haven't really noticed deterioration in the handling. In fact I believe that the Rotas are much easier to live with than the ultra heavy S spokes I had, no wrestling with tramlining etc. Think the big problem with 18s (and some 17s) is weight, if they are heavy then the handling will suck. My 18" Rota are only about 8kg each.