thanks to an unintended suggestion from Kaz, I've switched from the BBS CH to the RC. I do like the CH better asthetically but the same size RC is said to be not only stronger but 7 ponds lighter according to BBS (18x8.5 RC = 18lbs and 18x8.5 CH = 25lbs).
I'm still teetering between 17" and 18" wheels. for the mostly street driving that I do, I'm not sure how much of an advantage going to a 35 series 18" really is over a 40 series 17". and even if I start tracking the car, I doubt the difference would be that great (probably not enough for my own skill to take advantage of anyway). with the Dinan stage-II and the Koni shocks, the ride quality is already at my limit so going to an 18" wheel will only make it wors, pushing it beyond my threshold of desired ride comfort.
after having polled a number of people, the first advantage to come out of anyone's mouth regarding going to 18" rims is "...astethetics..."
I had originally planned on getting the S-03's bad have settled on the Pilot Sports because of ride comfort / road noise advantages over the S-03. tirerack aslo said that the michlin will last a tad longer which is contrary to what I remember reading on the boards. here in norcal, the wet traction advantage of the S-03 isn't really an advantage. I don't even worry about snow traction 'cause we have a 'lil subie for that.
by the way, in case you didn't catch the tidbid in my other thread, the CH is indeed going to be available in an 18" BMW fitment in early may.
so anyway, it's looking like I'll be going with 4 17" RCs fitted with 235-40/17 pilot sports all the way around. this will be a slightly shorter tire in the rear so there may be a slight gearing advantage by getting these (versus a slightly taller ratio from 18" 35 series). steering will be quicker because the tire is a lot shorter than the OEM 225/45-17.
interestingly, the total wheel and tire weight is exactly the same between 35 series 18" and the 40 series 17". both weigh in at a total of 40.5lbs per tire/wheel.
does anyone know what the stock wheels/tires weigh?
I'm still teetering between 17" and 18" wheels. for the mostly street driving that I do, I'm not sure how much of an advantage going to a 35 series 18" really is over a 40 series 17". and even if I start tracking the car, I doubt the difference would be that great (probably not enough for my own skill to take advantage of anyway). with the Dinan stage-II and the Koni shocks, the ride quality is already at my limit so going to an 18" wheel will only make it wors, pushing it beyond my threshold of desired ride comfort.
after having polled a number of people, the first advantage to come out of anyone's mouth regarding going to 18" rims is "...astethetics..."
I had originally planned on getting the S-03's bad have settled on the Pilot Sports because of ride comfort / road noise advantages over the S-03. tirerack aslo said that the michlin will last a tad longer which is contrary to what I remember reading on the boards. here in norcal, the wet traction advantage of the S-03 isn't really an advantage. I don't even worry about snow traction 'cause we have a 'lil subie for that.
by the way, in case you didn't catch the tidbid in my other thread, the CH is indeed going to be available in an 18" BMW fitment in early may.
so anyway, it's looking like I'll be going with 4 17" RCs fitted with 235-40/17 pilot sports all the way around. this will be a slightly shorter tire in the rear so there may be a slight gearing advantage by getting these (versus a slightly taller ratio from 18" 35 series). steering will be quicker because the tire is a lot shorter than the OEM 225/45-17.
interestingly, the total wheel and tire weight is exactly the same between 35 series 18" and the 40 series 17". both weigh in at a total of 40.5lbs per tire/wheel.
does anyone know what the stock wheels/tires weigh?
).
