whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars?

1216 Views 27 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Farfrhomdun, Dec 1, 2001

H2oVento

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2001

I am a fan of the small and wide wheels.. like the purple golf.. like 15x9's up front ant 15x10.5 in back.. mark's car looks so sweet.. but is there any performance pros or cons to running wide wheels like that on a FWD car???????? I used to run 16x11's on the rear and 15x8 up front on my 69 Road runner, but that was for traction.. Becasue if there is any performance gains I might look into this.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

Dubster

· #2 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (H2oVento)

quote:[HR][/HR]Becasue if there is any performance gains I might look into this.[HR][/HR]

This depends. If you get an ABT widebody and run 9 inch wide wheels, I would say that there is going to be some performance advantage in terms of traction but the extra rolling resistence will actually slow you down to some extent. And putting wide wheels on the back of a FWD car will induce more understeer. If you do the "euro" thing, then I would be willing to suggest that there is little to no performance gain. In order to fit 9+ inch wide wheels on a MKIII, they are stretching the tires. This compromises the tire's sidewall and completely ruins the point of putting wide wheels on a car in the first place. In order for wide wheels to have any impact on handling/traction, the contact patch really should touch the road. But if you just want the look of wide wheels, go for it. Look at something sized in 16x7.5 or so for optimal performance and make sure that they are light.

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LostBoyScout

· #3 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (H2oVento)

No performance gain.. other than track width (stability)
sure looks cool though

Mad-Dog-Tannen

· #4 · Nov 30, 2001

3

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (Dubster)

i beg to differ..... i have had 9's on all corners of my gti with 225's stretched pretty hard. and no loss in performance. extra weight from tires is the only thing that will hurt you.
on one of the VölkSchnell GTG's through NH i exited a 180 degree corner going downhill at 80 mph, and not a tire squeel to be heard. Pete or Jason can vouch for me... they were behind me

and i posted this in the other thread too...

quote:[HR][/HR]my gti handled like an animal with 16x9's all around with 225/40's on it.... but the only downfall is the wheel is more suceptable(sp) to being damaged...

[HR][/HR]

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by VolkSchnell-GTI, 4:00 PM 11-30-2001]

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H2oVento

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (Dubster)

Thanks I am already running 16x7 on all 4's.. I want to ditch them and goto 15's and get a better drop on the car. was thinking of doing 15x8's in the back and 15x7 up front.. would that give it just the right touch of euro flare.. can't see going to 9's for no performance gains like that....

big bentley

· #6 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (LostBoyScout)

quote:[HR][/HR]No performance gain.. other than track width (stability)
sure looks cool though[HR][/HR]

Ditto!!

Mad-Dog-Tannen

· #7 · Nov 30, 2001

2

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (big bentley)

9's are very difficult to drive though....
they make the car very darty. but steering response is top notch
there's nothing like the feeling of lateral G-force when whipping out to pass your buddies GLX on rt. 95 at 110mph

my car handled exactly the same at 130mph as it did at 35mph.... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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H2oVento

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (VolkSchnell-GTI)

ok now lets see some pics.. of that oh so euro look.. the more the better.. rather see texer cars, and tell me what sizes your running so i can get a good idea.. and problems etc... As my 16's have been trashed over the past 3 years and am looking for something new..

Lobstrosity

· #9 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (H2oVento)

Yes, wide rims are good. I have some for you, too! click my sig!

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Ghetto-8v

· #10 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (Lobstrosity)

Yes Luke did not rub...how I don't know but no rubbing....
Jeremy.....Those rims are nuts..I remember the first time you posted them. Those would be sooo dope if you could find rubber... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Mad-Dog-Tannen

· #11 · Nov 30, 2001

9

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (Lobstrosity)

i'll give you pics....

just tell em when to stop...

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CALVR6

· #12 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (H2oVento)

http://www.tstonramp.com/~packrat/midpgfiles/lowrider.mid

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H2oVento

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (Lobstrosity)

quote:[HR][/HR]Yes, wide rims are good. I have some for you, too! click my sig!

[HR][/HR]

Holly poop.. you going to put those on your ride.. i have got to see that

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bento

· #14 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (H2oVento)

quote:[HR][/HR]Thanks I am already running 16x7 on all 4's.. I want to ditch them and goto 15's and get a better drop on the car. was thinking of doing 15x8's in the back and 15x7 up front.. would that give it just the right touch of euro flare.. can't see going to 9's for no performance gains like that.... [HR][/HR]

Well, if you want performance, then the lowering the car more isn't going to do it. There is a threshold between looks and performance. If you're going for simply looks then go for it, stretch some 195s on 15x9s and be done with it.

LostBoyScout

· #15 · Nov 30, 2001

2

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (H2oVento)

My favorite 'sane' wheel widths would be 8" front 9" rear - it's not super agressive, and with the right offsets (35mm front 25mm rear) it will not stick out, just be flush

And run 205 front and 215 rear tires and with a fender roll you'd be hard pressed to rub even
point of reference, this is 99VR"s car with 17x8 and 17x9.. pretty nice fit, eh?

[Modified by LostBoyScout, 9:51 AM 11-30-2001]

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LostBoyScout

· #16 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (GTI VRsick)

quote:[HR][/HR]IF you are going strictly for performance, 16X8 with a 215/45 is probably the best you will find...[HR][/HR]

correction, 215/40 on 16x8

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Mad-Dog-Tannen

· #17 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (LostBoyScout)

good call J

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LostBoyScout

· #18 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (VolkSchnell-GTI)

i ran 15x7s on my jetta with 195/50-15 toyo proxes T1-s, and I can honestly say it was probably the best performing wheel and tire setup you could possibly put on a mk3. You don't need anything wider

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TWSTD

· #19 · Nov 30, 2001

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (VolkSchnell-GTI)

Oh yes... I was going 70 and he was pulling away from me http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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Mad-Dog-Tannen

· #20 · Nov 30, 2001

2

Re: whats with the really wide wheels on FWD cars? (TWSTDVW)

quote:[HR][/HR]Oh yes... I was going 70 and he was pulling away from me http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif [HR][/HR]

that was scary.... i didn't think it would stick the way it did either.
i kept waiting for it to slip out from under me but, just like glue!

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