better wheel size to go with 17's or 18's

silverspeed03

Boost Junky
:
2008 MS3
I'm getting new wheels here in a little bit and wanted to know what wheel size would be better to go with 17's or 18's, I would like to get into autocrossing but don't want that to be a direct influence on my decision.

I like the look of 18's but I don't know how much that would hurt performance.
 
17's or 18's won't be a night and day difference if they weigh about the same. Now drop to some 16" 13lb wheels and it'll be a world of difference. I do think 18's look sweet though.
 
you can get 18's with a much lower profile tire and they're the same size of the 17's (height wise). you can see how similar they are in my old sig here. on the msp i have 18's with 225/35/18 and on the stock mp3 rim i have 205/45/17. both cars are on tein s-tech lowering springs.
signiture2.jpg

heres a pic of the 18 so you can see clearance
new7.jpg
 
what I'm looking at is 18" wheels, 225/40/18 tires, with Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs? Would I have a problem with rubbing with the 40 series tire?
 
txrxs said:
/\ you may have a problem with the 225 width though.

I would think that if MP3Architect has a 225 that I would be ok, but you don't see a problem having 40 series sidewall, that would not be to close to the fender?
 
I had 225/40/18 and I rubbed like a mofo! I would go 225/40/ maybe on a 17, but for 18's stick with a 225/35 or a 215/35 to avoid rubbing issues.

-joe
 
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