Alloys/Tyre Upgarde 16" to 18"

IrishZeus

Evening Gents/Gentesses,

Quick question. Would there a noticeable difference in the car/performance/grip/economy if I changed from a 16" to an 18" alloy?

I realise obviously that tyres would be more expensive and the car would look physically different but is there anything else to be aware of when considering this change...?

I'm driving an IS250 with the 16's on it and I personally think they're too small for the car (looks wise). Not looking at spending a huge amount on them, will be looking 2nd hand. Maybe 200-300 give or take a few euro either side.

Thanks all.

You'll lose some comfort.

Dermoth

Don't underestimate tyre costs. 18's were costing me 400 a wheel. New car had 16s as standard and I would never go back up to 18. Also not sure if the lexis has a spare. Blew the 18s in a pothole last winter with no spare. They look great but were more trouble than they were worth for me.

thirtythirty

...but gain some grip assuming they're wider too. I changed from 16 to 17 and gained 25mm width which may not sound a lot, but you can feel the difference it makes - especially with the breaking point on wet.

Zubeneschamali

RoverJames wrote: »

You'll lose some comfort.

More likely to destroy tyres and wheels on potholes, too.

Zubeneschamali

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

More likely to destroy tyres and wheels on potholes, too.

I wouldn't agree as I have 225 45 18s on my car and have no issues.

Zubeneschamali

RoverJames wrote: »

I wouldn't agree as I have 225 45 18s on my car and have no issues.

I destroyed one 50 profile tyre, and bent a different 50 profile wheel in 9 years on 50 profile tyres. I have never lost a 60 or 65 profile tyre or wheel.

Col200sx

Dermoth wrote: »

Don't underestimate tyre costs. 18's were costing me 400 a wheel.

:eek: How much?????

Where were you buying your tyres from? Dubai?

Dermoth

Cork. Trust me I shopped around. One place wanted 475+ VAT. Wanted a decent brand. Ended up with Michelin @ 380 apiece.

MarkR

Dermoth wrote: »

Don't underestimate tyre costs. 18's were costing me 400 a wheel. New car had 16s as standard and I would never go back up to 18. Also not sure if the lexis has a spare. Blew the 18s in a pothole last winter with no spare. They look great but were more trouble than they were worth for me.

Was that for 4 tyres? The most expensive 18" tyre (assuming 215/40/18) comes in at a little over 200. Which is still in "Yikes" territory.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s19p70456/PIRELLI_TYRES_CAR_PIRELLI_PZERO_P_ZERO_NERO_-_215_40R18_89W_XL_TL_

Ardennes1944

380 a piece? that cant be right. should be 150 max. im on 225/40/18 atm and theyre fine. i know most of the roads i drive on and know where to avoid.

EPM

Ive been driving 40 and 45 profile tyres on 17 and 18 inch wheels for the last 5 years and have never had an issue with punctures. In saying that I am quite careful on poor roads and check the pressures regularly.

You will lose some comfort but I would be more concerned with budget. You're not going to get a decet set of 18s for that price unless they need some work (straightening or refurb) which itself is expensive. Tyres aren't too bad if you shop around - you can get very good quality tyres for under 150 a corner, half that if you go with ditchfinders.

Dermoth

Kinda going off topic now. 235/45/18 were the size if I remember. My point to the original poster is that you should check the cost of tyres before you decide. I didn't. And it was a mistake.

IrishZeus

Cheers guys.

Two main reasons for switching. (wanted to get some general feedback before going in it)

1.) Is the looks - think 18's are much nicer on a big car.

2.) Grip. I've moved to rear wheel drive this year (S2000 and now IS250) and finding it very different. I completely understand that tyres are not the answer and I have changed my driving style hugely to keep myself on the road. However I would like to get back to the point where I had a car that actually grips! Before this, I had a celica with 160euro Continentals on all corners so fair to say there was a huge difference.

At the moment, the lexus has ditchfinders on the back which I will be changing to bridgestones next week once I have the money. The alloys I'm looking at as a possible Xmas present from the OH. Don't care about brand etc once they look ok. IS250 isn't exactly a performance car so I don't need overly expensive ones!

My driving is pretty much all Dublin with the occasional spin to Tipp/Donegal so breaking them is not a big concern of mine. The lexus does not have a full spare (just a run-around or whatever you call them) so that is something to keep in mind, however I would happily but an 18" replacement for this...

So with the above in mind, would you see a big difference? Current profile is 205 55 16

IrishZeus

Dermoth wrote: »

Kinda going off topic now. 235/45/18 were the size if I remember. My point to the original poster is that you should check the cost of tyres before you decide. I didn't. And it was a mistake.

Thanks for that, I'm aware of the cost and happy with it

vectra

Dermoth wrote: »

Kinda going off topic now. 235/45/18 were the size if I remember. My point to the original poster is that you should check the cost of tyres before you decide. I didn't. And it was a mistake.

I can get 235/45/18 Hankook's for 145 per corner fitted and balanced/ Laser Tracked

L-M

What nice 18 inch wheel are you hoping to get for the Lexus for €300?

Ardennes1944

vectra wrote: »

I can get 235/45/18 Hankook's for 145 per corner fitted and balanced/ Laser Tracked

What about 225/40/18 ?:D

EPM

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

What about 225/40/18 ?:D

You get get decent ones from fast fit in Togher for €145 fitted;)

mickdw

400 a corner is a joke.

Vredestein sessantas were around 170 a corner for 245/40/18.
I have noticed many irish tyre shops seem to go to town on the pricing if you want branded stuff though.
The irish outlets appear to be reasonable competitive now on the bottom end stuff but if looking for nice branded stuff, camskill is far ahead still imo

vectra

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

What about 225/40/18 ?:D

I would say that same or slightly less. I can check if you want me to?

Dermoth

I feel like I need to produce a receipt!! Never bought online but probably should have. Btw have changed car now so back to 16s. Never heard of Camskill before but checked Michelin there and they're £214

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s2057p0/Car_Tyres_-_MPV_Tyres_-_People_Carrier_Tyres_-_18_inch_R18_inch_-_235_45_18_235_45_R_18


Still means I paid way over the odds but as per earlier posts, learnt from my mistakes.

bazz26

mickdw wrote: »

400 a corner is a joke.

Vredestein sessantas were around 170 a corner for 245/40/18.
I have noticed many irish tyre shops seem to go to town on the pricing if you want branded stuff though.
The irish outlets appear to be reasonable competitive now on the bottom end stuff but if looking for nice branded stuff, camskill is far ahead still imo

Slightly O/T but how do you find the Sessantas? I'm shopping around for new tyres at the moment and the Sessantas get good reviews but the comment also made on them is that they wear quickly.

I'm looking for 225/40/r18 (front) and 255/35/r18 (rear) and would like to keep all 4 the same type if possible which narrows down my choice. Have been offered Lassa tyres locally which are supposed to be a budget Bridgestone brand but online reviews are not that common and I'm not keen on fitting potential rubbish to a 180bhp rwd car.

IrishZeus

Limerick man wrote: »

What nice 18 inch wheel are you hoping to get for the Lexus for €300?

2nd hand ones! Can't afford new ones at the mo. There are quite a few sets of alloys floating around at the €300 mark (Audi/Merc ones mostly for some reason), just need to get ones that fit the car.

IrishZeus

Just trying to get this back on topic and not into a tyre pricing discussion....

2.) Grip. I've moved to rear wheel drive this year (S2000 and now IS250) and finding it very different. I completely understand that tyres are not the answer and I have changed my driving style hugely to keep myself on the road. However I would like to get back to the point where I had a car that actually grips! Before this, I had a celica with 160euro Continentals on all corners so fair to say there was a huge difference.

At the moment, the lexus has ditchfinders on the back which I will be changing to bridgestones next week once I have the money. The alloys I'm looking at as a possible Xmas present from the OH. Don't care about brand etc once they look ok. IS250 isn't exactly a performance car so I don't need overly expensive ones!

My driving is pretty much all Dublin with the occasional spin to Tipp/Donegal so breaking them is not a big concern of mine. The lexus does not have a full spare (just a run-around or whatever you call them) so that is something to keep in mind, however I would happily but an 18" replacement for this...

So with the above in mind, would you see a big difference? Current profile is 205 55 16

You'll see a difference if the current tyres are really sh1t and the new ones are decent, 20 or 30mm extra tyre width won't provide as much of an improvement.