any one with 18's ?

[Killer 8]

every since i bought my car been wanting 18's but before i take that leap i want to know how they ride like:
Ride quality: Harsh-
Feel: bearable-every bump in the road
turn radius: normal- scrapes when turned full in out
Rubbing: no rubbing- rubs when hiting bumps and lowered
and if there was anything you needed to do to make them fit like roll the fenders, trim the spring retainers on the strut (i have coilovers so the extra can get trimmed if needed.) just hings that would be nice to know about or that you wished you knew about before you got them.
I plan on 215/35 18 but wouldn't mind plus sizing to 215/40 18 but i don't think they would fit.

[daedalus]

i am running 215/35/18's and my car rides SOOOO much better than the stock 17's. I was scared it was gonna be hella hard ride, but i much prefer it this way!

[Haze20]

Yeah I have the same setup a daedalus and wouldn't trade it unless I could get 18x8's.

[tekkie]

same here, and while I agree its smoother than 17s thats ended quickly when you hit bumps

but remember I live in MI where roads are brutal, apart from that I love them, and I have no plans of getting rid of it

just be carefull of the offset, I have 42's and its like 1mm or less from rubbing on the rears :)

[BRIAN MP5T]

I like the 18 Because they seem to be the mental trigger. 17 is big but for some reason, you see an 18 and it's just "SILLY NICE"

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Brian%20MP5T/M3%203.jpg

[CrazyCaker]

I'm on 18s as well, 215/35s and love it. 45 offset though, so I had to roll the rear fenders slightly.

[BRIAN MP5T]

Yup, Rolled Fenders is almost a must but can be done faster than you can drink a 6pack

[Mr.Win]

They key with it is getting the right size and offset... We should prolly copy rishies fittment guide over here.

[Rush]

Runnin' a set of 18" x 7.5" .. on 35 series tires .. on Tein S-Tech springs.

I will admit, bumps hit a lot harder than they used to. However, the fact that I'm on the Tein springs now instead of the stock MSP springs has a lot to do with that. But I wouldn't trade back to the stock 17" setup for anything.

I've never had any problems with the turn radius, or rubbing -- and my fenders aren't rolled, and I have a set of two 12" subs in a sealed box in the trunk.

What size tire you can run on a set of 18's depends on what offset you have, how wide your wheels are, and what kinda tire you want to get (to a degree). For example, I have two different types of tires on my car -- I have a pair of 215/35/18 Kumho ECSTA MX on the front, and a pair of 215/35/18 BFGoodrich g-Force KDW-2's on the rear. The BFGoodrich's are a bit 'wider' than the Kumho's -- mostly because they come with a lip guard to protect the edge of the rims. But it's a factor you have to consider.

What kind of 18's are you looking to get? :D

[Mr.Win]

Good point as well Kuhmo are more of a sqaure tire compared to a say a prada spec2 which may fit better if your offset is cutting it close.

[Killer 8]

What kind of 18's are you looking to get? :D

once money comes back to me i want some DRAG 3 or BSA 291's

[BRIAN MP5T]

http://www.motorspeed.com/sitepix/products/mids/mid_bsa291.jpg

[RyanJayG]

Gotta love 18's... I'm actually thinking about changing mine... they are starting to show thier age...

that or have them completely refinished. I'll have to give it some serious thought

[Mr.Win]

Talk to ken... im pretty sure he can get those wheels, at the price they used to go for its cheaper then refinishing.

[RyanJayG]

thats what I was thinking... but I haven't even begun to search for re-finishing shops, or their prospective costs.

I'm just not sure if I wanna get replacement wheels, or a completly new look. Something tells me that if I changed them a lot of people would be mad at me... lol... I've gotten a rediculous number of comments on my car with these wheels. even hearing "perfect wheels for the MP3" used on more than one occasion.

I'm kinda torn

[tekkie]

Ryan keep your rims man I love those :D

[Killer 8]

http://www.motorspeed.com/sitepix/products/mids/mid_bsa291.jpg
those but just straight silver, them look chrome and that more weight than i want to put on in the name of bling.

[Haze20]

not all rims that look chrome weigh alot

[RyanJayG]

I can actually think of the Centerline wheels that are rotary forged wheels, mostly provided in full polish, chome looking that are some of the lightest wheels on the market

[BRIAN MP5T]

The chrome plate probably does not weigh that much more..

[terbow]

I had 18's and i hit 1 small pothole and bent them within 10 mins of owning them. never again, but they look schweet

[tekkie]

had a similar thing, first day, hit a pothole and put a huge crack in my window :(

[Killer 8]

thats on of the reasons why i want the drag 3 more because it has more spokes that (if i'm not wrong) help reinforce the outer rim and prevent easy bending due to structural support though i does add to weight. As for chrome its just every time i look at it i think about lead weights, just one of those theory's i have when i see it.

[Killer 8]

I'm about to look it up but what is the ideal off set for 18's

[Mr.Win]

Qaulity rims will stop them from bending not the spoke design.

[terbow]

yea mine were rs limited (ADR), i couldnt afford quality at the time (i was 17)

[Scooter]

as others have said, you won't really notice much difference in ride quality. Everyone thinks that going with 35 series tires makes a world of difference and you'll feel every little pebble on the road. But I was running 19s last summer with 35 series tires and it honestly didn't feel much different than it did when I was on 17s with 40 series. Granted, you do have to look out for potholes,...but you have to look out for potholes with 17s too.

Remember that some of the people that have posted so far drive sedans, and some drive hatch's. The sedan can get away with a lower offset.

I PM'd a bunch of people on the "other" board before buying some 18s because I wanted to get their experiences. Here's a summary. Tire selection is key. From what I've found, Falken tires have a much rounder sidewall and help for clearance with lower offset rims.

Anyway, hopefully the following helps

DeanSweet - Protege5
1) What offset? +45
2) What's the width of the rim? G-Racing Kirins hyper black 18x7.5"
3) What brand / model / size of tire? Ventus Sport K104's 215/35-18, I had Toyo Proxes FZ4 but they made a god awful tread noise.
4) Did you roll your fenders? Yep.
5) Any rubbing (even with a full load in the car)? Yeah, they rub still, Wheel Source guys are stumped, supposed to drop it by and see if they can figure that one out for me. It's about 2mm too wide in the back. Rubs in back passenger only. Fronts I have zero issues.
6) How much is your car lowered? Eibachs Pro Kit, 1.5 front, 1.75 back.


shane02pro5 - Protege5
MSR Made by American Eagle MSR-103 18x7.5 50mm offset. Wheels came with 45mm so I milled off another 5mm .196 for more clearance in my machine shop. I didn't want to roll my fenders, I know that weakens them. Tires Toyo Proxes 4's 215/35/18's. I have about .200 clearance to my Nex Coilovers and .200 clearance to the fender.

They don't rub even with two people in the back, but sometimes when I take really tight turns and the body leans I have a little bit of black rubber dust from barely touching the sidewall on my fender. Rear sway bar is on my list down the road, that sure cure it. Lowered 3" rear and 2 1/2" front


Rdshark1 - Protege5
I only put the 18s on for shows. They are Teckademics Stigmatas 18 X 7.5, no clue of the offset, but they work. Tires are el cheapo Federal SS-595s in 215/35 size. We did not roll the fenders, but the tires will rub slightly if there are people sitting in the back (almost never happens though). Car is pretty much all the way down on Skunk2s, but we did not measure the drop. The 35-series tires needed to run 18s afford no protection against these crappy Oklahoma roads. One pothole or lip on a highway bridge and there goes your 18" wheel investment. My 18s on the left side of the car are both bent I recommend AGAINST running on 18s for daily driving. The ride sucks!


Wes - Protege5
1) +48 offset
2) They are 7.5 inches wide
3) 5Zigen FN01R-C 18x7.5 in Bronze
4) I did not roll the fenders, there is no need with a 48 offset. Also, I have 3mm spaces on the front wheels.
5) No rubbing
6) According to Tein, my car is lowered about 1.8 inches front and back.
+7) Also, I run a 215/40R18 tire on the car because I wanted a bit more rubber between me and the road... truth is I have rubbed a few times, like when I hit a huge dip in the road going really fast... or take a sharp corner and heavy on the brakes. I think this may be due to still being on the stock struts, I think they have had it..


yeloprofan - Protege5
1) What offset? 40mm I believe
2) What's the width of the rim? 7.5"
3) What brand / model / size of tire? Kumho Excta 215/35/18
4) Did you roll your fenders? Oh yes
5) Any rubbing (even with a full load in the car)? None when slammed on the air bags, I dont rub on the fender just on the inner fender well, but this would not be an issue if you are running a traditional suspension
6) How much is your car lowered? Summer-Air bags so 6 to 8", Winter- Tein S-Techs which are at 1.5 I believe.


protege503 - Protege5
Hey its a FWD offset
its 18 x 7 Motegi FF6
I don't remember what tires they are but you need to run a 215/35/18
No rubbing at all you need to roll the rear front lips of the wheel well just a little bit , ITs lowerd with 1.4 B&G springs


CoasterBoy - Protege5
1) What offset?
5-114 Bolt Patern 42 offset

2) What's the width of the rim?
ZINIK Z5 IKEDA 7.5

3) What brand / model / size of tire?
215/35-18 Kumho ECSTA Supra 712

4) Did you roll your fenders?
No but had to cut a little of the plastic wheel well liner out. Not very much though.

5) Any rubbing (even with a full load in the car)?
Only when I turn the wheels hard all the way with a MAJOR FULL LOAD. 5 people no rubbing.

6) How much is your car lowered?
3" Front 2.9" Rear



Mad Hatter - Protege5
I'm pretty sure the offset is a +48. There was no need to roll the fenders with the pro-kit, which only lowers the car 1-1/2". No rubbing, ever, even with a ton of extra weight in the car. My stock wheels with the falkens rub the fender liner, and the underside of the struts.



eepr5 - Protege5
G-Racing Seki 18x7.5
+47 offset

Proxes FZ4, I'm thinking ~205/30/18, not sure
Lowered on Tein S-techs (1.8F, 1.5R ?)
Initially rubbed only on Passenger Rear with weight (person or stuff) in back seat/hatch, or heavy cornering.
No noticable rubbing after I rolled the fender.


jc2904 - Protege5
18"inch
48 offset
adr sukodo rims
lowered 2 inches
slight rubbing isues, have not rolled fenders
the rubbing is not the rims but the curb protector on the tires themselfs. Just going to wait and see if it rubs down

[Killer 8]

thanks for the info this will help when my rims get upgraded

[BRIAN MP5T]

The switch from 16 to 18 was not that big of a deal. The suspension itself is more the reason for the Ride Quality.

Oddly, anyone who has ever ridden in my car usually tells me that the ride is almost unbareable...

I then let them drive the car around some traffic circles and corners and they say "Nevermind DAUG, I get it... "

:)

[Killer 8]

that makes sense, i guess at times i don't look at it from all the angles like i should. I thought so much about the wheels i forgot there is to ride qaulity because there is more to the suspension system that takes the hits.

[BRIAN MP5T]

Yeah, Don't get hung up on Harshness.. It's totally not important after the first time you can take a corner at 10 MPH faster than before..

:)

[slug420]

i have 18x7.5s with a 42 offset. Had to shave the fenders a little and I run coilovers so there isnt much movement in the rear suspension anyway.

[MazPro]

I have 205-40-17 and when I got my last tires, I was rubbing when I turned really hard when they where new. I got the ADR M-sports with a 48 offset.

anyone think I can run 215-35s on them with no issues?


sorry for the Thread jack.

[Haze20]

I run 215/35/18 with a +48 offset with no problem.

[Killer 8]

I run 215/35/18 with a +48 offset with no problem.

gotta let you know youe car looks pretty good with the rims

[Haze20]

Thanks man. The look of chrome without the weight.

[tekkie]

yeah those rims looks great on your car

[terbow]

yea i agree. i cant wait to put mine on now.

[Haze20]

Thanks for the compliments. What rims did you get Terbow?

[terbow]

http://www.revwheels.com/gfx/content/r2d_m6HB.gif 17"

[Haze20]

Didn't +1 it?

[terbow]

hellz no. i bent my 18" rims in 5 mins once lol

[Haze20]

Did you go looking for the biggest pothole you could find?

[terbow]

i didnt even notice i hit one

[Bigwoofer]

I am going with new 18x7.4 with a +42 offset. Same as my current rims. No real rubbing issues except under heavy loads (2 adults in the back). Fenders are rolled and slight camber adjustment in the rear!