Why go from 17” wheels to 18”?

[cantdrv55]

Hi all. Just wondering what the benefits are from 17 to 18 inch wheels for an S other than looks. I found a set of Porsche 18s wheels for $600. No tires, just wheels. Is there a performance benefit and is it worth the extra cost of wheels and bigger set of tires? The tires on my 17s need to be replaced anyway so nows the best time to w the change. Thanks.

[Anker]

The drawbacks are a harsher ride and more expensive tires.

[Ciao]

18" will compensate some from lowering the P car to status quo

[azlvr]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Hi all. Just wondering what the benefits are from 17 to 18 inch wheels for an S other than looks. I found a set of Porsche 18s wheels for $600. No tires, just wheels. Is there a performance benefit and is it worth the extra cost of wheels and bigger set of tires? The tires on my 17s need to be replaced anyway so nows the best time to w the change. Thanks.

Better looks.

[kk2002s]

Doesn't the S need the 18s because of the larger front brake caliper or do 17s have enough clearance?

I have 18s but I would think that 17s would handle better and tires would be a bit cheaper

[Jgkram]

Looks mostly. The 18's fill the wheel well more than the 17's. I have a set of 18's I run normally and 17's I use for autocross. I can't tell a huge difference in the ride quality but I'm sure there is a little bit as the 17's put more space between you and the road.

[RedTele58]

Originally Posted by kk2002s

Doesn't the S need the 18s because of the larger front brake caliper or do 17s have enough clearance?

I have 18s but I would think that 17s would handle better and tires would be a bit cheaper

S models are fine (and were standard wheel) with 17's. It's 16's that don't clear the calipers.

[Blackcloud]

But with 18’s you can get Bridgestone RE-71’s on! Not on 17’s.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by Blackcloud

But with 18’s you can get Bridgestone RE-71’s on! Not on 17’s.

Serious question. Is that a good thing? I thought most prefer Michelins.

[kk2002s]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Serious question. Is that a good thing? I thought most prefer Michelins.

No Most Dentists prefer Colgate over Crest

Oh know, I feel a tire thread starting

[Blackcloud]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Serious question. Is that a good thing? I thought most prefer Michelins.

Most doing autocross prefer the RE-71’s. Not looking to start a tire debate.

[Blackcloud]

Originally Posted by kk2002s

No Most Dentists prefer Colgate over Crest

Oh know, I feel a tire thread starting

A lot of autocrossers prefer the RE-71’S. Not looking to start a tire debate.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Blackcloud

But with 18’s you can get Bridgestone RE-71’s on! Not on 17’s.

what you talking bout Willis??

Re-71's and lot of other trackable tires come in correct 17" sizes. I and many others have been running RE-71's in 255/40-17 and 225/45-17 for years

17's fit a S no problem
17's are lower cost

[coolbreeze551]

I had to upgrade to 18's when I did the bigger brake upgrade and aesthetics was a bonus.

[lskolnick]

Originally Posted by RedTele58

S models are fine (and were standard wheel) with 17's. It's 16's that don't clear the calipers.

16's with the correct offset would have no problem clearing the S calipers. The problem is nobody makes them.

[cantdrv55]

My favorite tire place, Costco, doesn’t carry the RE-71s for the front! Too bad as Bridgestone are on sale.

[DoninDel]

Originally Posted by Anker

The drawbacks are a harsher ride and more expensive tires.

And, usually, the typical compound used in 18" tires wears faster than the typical 17" tire compound, as 18s usually have a higher performance rating.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by DoninDel

And, usually, the typical compound used in 18" tires wears faster than the typical 17" tire compound, as 18s usually have a higher performance rating.

Really???

Performance rating has nothing to do with tire diameter.
I would think the compound in a given tire model would be the same regardless of size.

[NewArt]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

My favorite tire place, Costco, doesn’t carry the RE-71s for the front! Too bad as Bridgestone are on sale.

I run 235/40/18s on the front from Costco. They weren’t listed on their site but I could order them at the store. I won’t let them mount them though.

[Boxstard]

Originally Posted by Anker

The drawbacks are a harsher ride and more expensive tires.

And weight... Stock to stock 17" is lighter with tire mounted.