Credit crunch modifications

[Wheelsofsteel]

205/45/17 is too small!

Will

Do you really reckon they're too small......? I've had them on for a frew weeks now and they have omproved the traction no end, if not too much. Every now and then, it feels like I'm going over tramlines in the road even though they've been tracked and balanced. Any reason for this, mate!

 

[popuptoaster]

big wheels and really low profile tyres nacker the handling on most cars, they work ok on race cars with stiff suspension, lightweight wheels and smooth tracks to drive on, but fitting them to a road car costs you grip and acceleration and brings up problems like tramlining and speeds up sdamper wear as they are usually a fair bit heavier than the standard rims, if you like the looks thats fine, dont be told by some salesman they'll improve your car though, i had 17"s on my coupe, took em off again cos they ruined it, it grips and corners better on the standard rims and is quieter and more comfy. Big rims are fashionable and can look great, but they compromise the car in most cases.

 

[Dieselman]

What he said. ^

As well as the tyre sidewall causing tramlining due to less flex, often the offset is different so the steering tends to tug more and with the wheels being heavier unsprung mass goes up so alters the operation of the suspension.
iirc wheels have 1.5 times their effect of mass on performance compared to vehicle mass increase.

When was the last time you saw an F1 car on big rims with low profile tyres.?

 

[Wheelsofsteel]

big wheels and really low profile tyres nacker the handling on most cars, they work ok on race cars with stiff suspension, lightweight wheels and smooth tracks to drive on, but fitting them to a road car costs you grip and acceleration and brings up problems like tramlining and speeds up sdamper wear as they are usually a fair bit heavier than the standard rims, if you like the looks thats fine, dont be told by some salesman they'll improve your car though, i had 17"s on my coupe, took em off again cos they ruined it, it grips and corners better on the standard rims and is quieter and more comfy. Big rims are fashionable and can look great, but they compromise the car in most cases.

Nice one, Yoda! Sounds like you know your stuff. It all makes sense now, Getting lower rims I thought would improve the handling ( it did on my Saab 9-3 coupe when I upgraded the rims to 17". I'll heed your advice with the impending knowledge that my suspension might need replacing or fortifying at some point! Cheers