17/18 or 18/19s?

[Drift]

Since almost all the pics that you guys post look good on a screen and since I can't just drive down the neighborhood around here and see a bunch of wheels options in person, can't you guys help me pick a reasonable set of wheels?

I'm not asking about offsets and such (great thread already on that) but rather what's your experience with plus sizes.

I'd probably be happy with 17/18 and on first thought wouldn't jump at larger but I've seen some great fits for 19.

And just to shake it up, why have different sizes front-to-rear?

 

[danny49]

Definetely 17 18s Lose to much performance with anything bigger.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

goes better with the body line.

17/18 is the best combo in terms of price point, performance and looks.

18/19 looks really good IMO, but it's more spendy on tires and the short sidewall takes a little toll on performance.

17/17 is arguably better than 17/18 in every aspect but the looks. (you could make it look nicer with a very low suspension. example: Taitec super taiku race car.)
18/18 looks better but still have the line issue. However, 215/35/18 being the right size from rubbing, the thin sidewall provide lots and lots of understeering.

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

You NEED both sets (one for show and the other for go).

If you track, then 17/18 is as big as I would go without compromising performance.

 

[CarCrazed4Life]

If you live in an area where roads are rough, I say 17/18
If you want looks, I say 18/19
If you want a cheaper tire selection, I say 17/18
If you want performance, I say 17/18

Now I'm also a hypocrite I like the large tire look. I know its more resistance making it slow, but I notice a handling difference for the better. I've had lightweight 17x8s/18x9.5 wearing 245/35/17 fronts and 295/30/18 rears

I also gone as wide as 315/25/19 rears. The NSX sat on a VIPER look is really sweet from the rear.

 

[Jetpilot3]

I live in a place where the roads are butter smooth and I prefer the larger wheel look on lowered cars so opted for 18/19 combo.

 

[NSX GT]

:smile:

 

[goldNSX]

If you track your car or like having a fast car: 17/17
If just for the looks: anything you like

 

[spase]

18/19

 

[PhiAlpha44]

Definetely 17 18s Lose to much performance with anything bigger.

define too much? I have 18/19... I'm just curious by HOW MUCH I'm detracting from the performance of my car.

 

[DocL]

Personally the 17/18 is more ideal, but I do like the looks of the 18/19. Another thing to consider is the cost and availability of tires. My DD has 19" all around and even cheapo tires were costly.

 

[Stephen@NCAutoUSA]

Since almost all the pics that you guys post look good on a screen and since I can't just drive down the neighborhood around here and see a bunch of wheels options in person, can't you guys help me pick a reasonable set of wheels?

I'm not asking about offsets and such (great thread already on that) but rather what's your experience with plus sizes.

I'd probably be happy with 17/18 and on first thought wouldn't jump at larger but I've seen some great fits for 19.

And just to shake it up, why have different sizes front-to-rear?

I have 17/18 combo of volk gt-n's that came with my car. If I did it personally I'd choose a 16/17 lightweight wheel combo because my wheels are just so damn heavy it seems.

Stephen

 

[nsxtasy]

why have different sizes front-to-rear?

The NSX was designed for tires with a larger outer diameter in the rear than in the front. This was to provide adequate room in the footwells of the interior compartment, with legs extended straight ahead. This ratio of larger outer diameter rear to front must be maintained for the traction control system to operate properly. You can get same-diameter wheels, front vs rear - in fact, this is what they did from the factory for '02-05 - but you'll still need larger diameter tires in the rear. Most people get larger diameter rear wheels because it makes the wheels and tires look balanced; using the same diameter wheels with larger rear tires means a greater disparity in the height of the sidewalls, which tends to make the wheels and tires look less balanced (with more tire showing in the rear than in the front).

 

[Drift]

The NSX was designed for tires with a larger outer diameter in the rear than in the front. This was to provide adequate room in the footwells of the interior compartment, with legs extended straight ahead. This ratio of larger outer diameter rear to front must be maintained for the traction control system to operate properly. You can get same-diameter wheels, front vs rear - in fact, this is what they did from the factory for '02-05 - but you'll still need larger diameter tires in the rear. Most people get larger diameter rear wheels because it makes the wheels and tires look balanced; using the same diameter wheels with larger rear tires means a greater disparity in the height of the sidewalls, which tends to make the wheels and tires look less balanced (with more tire showing in the rear than in the front).

I understand. I've been waiting for someone to comment on the same size wheels frt to rr. Makes sense that the taller sidewall in the rr of same sized wheels would look un-balanced.
Thanks.

I may get to see another X with 18/19s on it in a couple of weeks.

 

[nsxtasy]

Tire availability is a big consideration too. There are lots and lots of maximum-performance tires available for 17"/18" wheels in NSX sizes of 215/40-17 and 265/35-18. There are very few top choices for 18"/19" wheels in 215/35-18 and 275/30-19.

 

[pierceman]

i have 18/19 volks (selling now le28's in black/diamond) due to this reason. I could not find the tires I wanted so.... got ce28's in 17/18 today... just picked them up, will be mounted with yokohama's by wed....

The 18/19 looks GREAT, but performance suffers a little and I just wanted a chage up. :wink:

18/19 were 225 f and 275 r lowered 1.5" and rubbs light while charging, new setup is 235F 265R (due to yoko's either 265 or 285, my offest in the rear is aggressive, so I went on the safe side in the rear and dangerous in the front... if it rubbs to bad I will go back to 225... and they are sticky as hell anyway.
Matt

 

[Big_D]

i have 18/19 volks (selling now le28's in black/diamond) due to this reason. I could not find the tires I wanted so.... got ce28's in 17/18 today... just picked them up, will be mounted with yokohama's by wed....

The 18/19 looks GREAT, but performance suffers a little and I just wanted a chage up. :wink:

18/19 were 225 f and 275 r lowered 1.5" and rubbs light while charging, new setup is 235F 265R (due to yoko's either 265 or 285, my offest in the rear is aggressive, so I went on the safe side in the rear and dangerous in the front... if it rubbs to bad I will go back to 225... and they are sticky as hell anyway.
Matt

I think it is gonna rub... Why not 215? I run 215/40R17.

 

[Carl Ramsey]

? tire pressures you're running on the 17/18 (215/40-17, 265/35-18)

 

[Big_D]

I run 32psi in the front and 40psi in the rear. I always go by the placard inside the driver door.

 

[xory72]

I just put on an 18x8 and 19x9.5 combo about a month ago. No rubbing at all and my car is lowered 1.5" as well.

I chose the General Exclaim UHP tires as they had the size I needed at an affordable price. I am not tracking the car or racing it and was told that I will go through some rear tires. The General Exclaim UHP's rears were only $150.00 a peice from Tire Rack and had a good wear rating.

I am running 215/35/18 on the front and 275/30/19 on the rear. I have been told that if I went 225 on the front I will get some minor rubbing.

I've attached a pitcure so you see the "set up". Sorry the front wheel was turnned a little to the left in the picture. Hope this helps!

 

[Drift]

Looks nice!
Thanks for posting.

I'm still leaning toward 17/18 if I buy new.

 

[nsxtasy]

I run 32psi in the front and 40psi in the rear. I always go by the placard inside the driver door.

The placard says 33 psi front, not 32. :smile:

 

[Big_D]

The placard says 33 psi front, not 32. :smile:

Oops, old age is setting in, I was going by memory. I guess I'll have to check the pressure in my front tires again.