2012 Focus 17 vs 18 inch Wheels

[thisisbenji]

I want to know which would be better as far as handling goes. I plan on doing a little autocross and want to make sure I get some decent wheels. I'd like to step up to 18s but I'm not sure if there would be any negatives.

Edit:

If I stick with 17s, is it acceptable to switch to 225/45R17s or 235/45R17s (seems to have closer overall diameter to the stock tires) from the stock 215/50R17s? This way I could get better tire.

[Sponsor]

[bbcobra]

you'll find that the 18" tires are more expensive. but they sure do look good.

[Mucrammada]

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

I want to know which would be better as far as handling goes. I plan on doing a little autocross and want to make sure I get some decent wheels. I'd like to step up to 18s but I'm not sure if there would be any negatives.

Edit:

If I stick with 17s, is it acceptable to switch to 225/45R17s or 235/45R17s (seems to have closer overall diameter to the stock tires) from the stock 215/50R17s? This way I could get better tire.

The higher the wheel height the more performance is lost. The taller wheels are the more the torque has to work to spin the wheel, therefore decreasing torque, and displacing HP. I'd go with some wide 16 or 17's.

[RonMaiden]

Also with 18"s your turning radius will be wider and will rub at full lock.

[Elizabeth]

Thee 17"s stock height is 50 aspect ratio. Which is pretty tall for performance only use.
The 18" drops the aspect to a performance friendly 40.
The other side of the positive for the 50 aspect is damage control. A 50 aspect tire can take a LOT more punishment that a 40 aspect tire.
So if you plan on any rough course, better to stick with a tire less likely to fail due to hitting any rocks, potholes etc at speed.
If you go with the 17 and 50 aspect ratio, then find tires with stiff sidewalls, instead of the current fad of total 'soft' mush sidewalls.
The stiffer sidewalls will give the turning power of the 40's in a 50 aspect ratio.
The OEMB.F. Goodrich tires for the Contor SVT had some of the stiffest sidewalls ever, and were fabulous tires for any sporting as far as cornering went.

Though they were noisy as can be on the street.

[Joey D]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

Also with 18"s your turning radius will be wider and will rub at full lock.

18's won't rub, mine work just fine at full lock.

And 18's are the way to go, they look so much better on the car than 17's and really fill in the wheel wells nicely. Here's what my car looks like with 18" Team Dynamic Pro Race's.

[thisisbenji]

Those look really good, where did you get them if you don't mind sharing? Decisions decisions.

[Joey D]

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

Those look really good, where did you get them if you don't mind sharing? Decisions decisions.

I got them from Perfect Circle Autosports. I want to say it was about $1,000 for the set which was a pretty good deal, tires were another $900 but I bought those at Discount.

[RonMaiden]

Still have the wheel gap with 18"s since the the profile doesn't change you just have more sidewall with 17"s. I'll be dropping mine with some Eibachs next spring. I love the look of the 18"s but I do like having a little more rubber on my rims and the 17" tires are a little easier on the wallet.

[RonMaiden]

Plus if you plan on autoxing then the 17"s will be lighter unless you spned bucks on a lightweight set. I love the 18"s Joey has but at $1000 a set no thanks. For that cash outlay with tires I could've bought an exhaust and an intake along with my set.

It's the wheel gap that bothers me right now but these wheels in 18"s were so tempting but our roads suck (dirt drives show up time to time too) around here and with my wife as the primary driver I don't have to worry so much about her tagging a curb.