16inch to 18inch

Just out of pure curiosity, is there any advantage of bigger wheels besides aesthetics?
I'm referring to those with similar width so that grip levers stay relatively the same.
Besides those sidewalls being able to (theoretically) withstand bigger lateral forces in Need For Speed, is there anything else?

There are so many 4pot diesels with optional 18" and 19" out of the factory (from 3 series BMW's to Astra and Insignia) that it really makes me wonder if people have any common sense left.
I mean you're getting a dag-dag-dag to save £500 every 20k miles (rough out of the blue estimate) yet on every 20k miles you spend £1000 for decent 19" rubber versus £300 for decent 16" rubber.
So it looks better but you sounds like crap and has a very harsh ride. This makes perfect sense...
 
Cristian said:
Just out of pure curiosity, is there any advantage of bigger wheels besides aesthetics?
I'm referring to those with similar width so that grip levers stay relatively the same.
Besides those sidewalls being able to (theoretically) withstand bigger lateral forces in Need For Speed, is there anything else?

There are so many 4pot diesels with optional 18" and 19" out of the factory (from 3 series BMW's to Astra and Insignia) that it really makes me wonder if people have any common sense left.
I mean you're getting a dag-dag-dag to save £500 every 20k miles (rough out of the blue estimate) yet on every 20k miles you spend £1000 for decent 19" rubber versus £300 for decent 16" rubber.
So it looks better but you sounds like crap and has a very harsh ride. This makes perfect sense...
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Depending on the profile and usage you may have slightly better fuel efficiency if the rolling circumference is slightly longer due to a lower rpm at motorway speeds. But slower acceleration as a result.
 
miniyazz said:
Depending on the profile and usage you may have slightly better fuel efficiency if the rolling circumference is slightly longer due to a lower rpm at motorway speeds. But slower acceleration as a result.
Click to expand...

Not really. Especially as the speedo might change aswell, which effects 'real' economy calcs.

The larger frontal area, rolling resistance and mass that needs overcoming when accelerating will make it worse on fuel.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
Not really. Especially as the speedo might change aswell, which effects 'real' economy calcs.

The larger frontal area, rolling resistance and mass that needs overcoming when accelerating will make it worse on fuel.
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Exactly - depending on usage :p

Assuming the speedo is calibrated, though - and again that there actually is a change in tyre circumference - there will be lower rolling resistance since there will be less engine braking (lower rpm) and lower drivetrain resistance as the driveshaft et al will be spinning more slowly for a given road speed.

As you say though, for town driving fuel efficiency probably would be worsened.
 
Having just looked at the pic of your car I think retrofit fog lights will do a fair bit more for improving the look than 18s. Might even be possible with the cost difference between 17s and 18s...?
 
Stringy said:
Having just looked at the pic of your car I think retrofit fog lights will do a fair bit more for improving the look than 18s. Might even be possible with the cost difference between 17s and 18s...?
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Not my car. I got lazy and couldn't be bothered to take a picture.
 
If I were you, I wouldn't bother personally. I went up from 18" to 19" so that my brakes would fit on my car, the difference in tyre price is stupid, so I imagine it'll be a similar story going from 16" to 18", I'd go back to 18"s if I had the money to buy a set that I like, that fit over my brakes, would save on my tyre bill.
 
Cristian said:
Just out of pure curiosity, is there any advantage of bigger wheels besides aesthetics?
I'm referring to those with similar width so that grip levers stay relatively the same.
Besides those sidewalls being able to (theoretically) withstand bigger lateral forces in Need For Speed, is there anything else?

There are so many 4pot diesels with optional 18" and 19" out of the factory (from 3 series BMW's to Astra and Insignia) that it really makes me wonder if people have any common sense left.
I mean you're getting a dag-dag-dag to save £500 every 20k miles (rough out of the blue estimate) yet on every 20k miles you spend £1000 for decent 19" rubber versus £300 for decent 16" rubber.
So it looks better but you sounds like crap and has a very harsh ride. This makes perfect sense...
Click to expand...

My thinking exactly. Sod shelling out a big wedge every year for some ridiculous exotic tyre size on your daily knock about that you want to be cheap and comfortable

Seems like all the idiots want nasty diesels and want them to look like the hot model. I wonder if people have any shame any more?
 
I went from 18" to 16", reverse of the op, and have never looked back. Tyres are just so much cheaper, as long as the alloys are not silly looking then I wouldn't worry about the tyre profile being larger. Not worth it for a daily.
 
Matt82 said:
Seems like all the idiots want nasty diesels and want them to look like the hot model.
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I agree with this but on the other hand the UK car tax system is such that the hot model will cost £££££s in company car tax, so if you can get half way there with it at least looking sporty, then that's the most that people are prepared to stomach.

I stress that I dislike the trend, but playing devil's advocate there are so many people that do it that I can't help but think it's not that outrageous.
 
Robbie G said:
^ They look comedy big imo.
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It's odd really that the newer model looks slightly out of place with such large wheels, when the Mk4 seemed to suit them quite well.

Most cars tend to need bigger wheels these days to not look like they've got go kart wheels.
 
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