Winter Wheels??

[darrenh]

I was just wondering, as I know a lot of people swap their wheels over the winter.

If you keep the nice ones on, so long as you keep on top of the cleaning, what's the risk?

I'll soon be buying some 17's and depending on this decision - selling my std wheels, for money towards suspension. My theory is that if it's lowered the 16's will be useless anyhoo?!

OR I keep the standards and don't lower it just yet. Surely having the bigger wider wheels would provide more contact with the road over the period where the weather will get (even) worse?

Just after peoples thoughts really?

 

[Big_Lad]

I was having this very discussion last night.

I've decided to keep my standards for winter. It did worry me that i'd not be able to get over speed bumps with my car lowered and on 16's, but my mate said that 17's with a 40 profile tyre is not going to be too different from 16's with a 45 profile.

I can see his point, can anyone else verify this?

 

[AndyHazza]

Rolling radius will only be slightly different, i wouldnt be too worried about it. If your after using winter wheels then standards are definately the way to go in my book.

 

[darrenh]

But what is the winter going to do that our crap summer hasn't already? if the wheels are good quality, they're hardly gonna rot are they?

So long as the crap is kept from 'baking on' - i.e washed at least once a week surely that's not that bad?

I'm just trying to justify getting rid of my standards really, so I can lower it - but if the winter will really chuff them up then I'll have to rethink!?

 

[PhilW]

I just keep my wheels clean and i'm afraid of kerbs. lol.

Had my superlegs on for two years now and they still look perfect.

 

[Big_Lad]

I know someone that will have your standards if you decide to sell them.

 

[darrenh]

I didn't kerb my last ones, and I haven't kerbed my standard ones... I'm gonna be positively crapping it when I get my news ones!!

 

[darrenh]

I know someone that will have your standards if you decide to sell them.

there's a few people in the Wanted section...

You don't want them do ya?

(I'm still not sure about selling btw)

 

[PhilW]

Selling mine was the best thing i've done. Someone paid 275 quid plus postage for mine on ebay. Pretty much paid for my downpipe. lol.

 

[Adam R]

i would sell mine, but dont know what wheels i would get instead. plus i kinda do like the look of the cupra wheels.... just ashame the previous owner curbed the two fronts

 

[GlanzaV]

I can see his point, can anyone else verify this?

My bro's tyre sizer comes in handy for this question:

195/45 R16 Total diameter = 58.19 cm
205/40 R17 Total diameter = 59.58 cm

195/45 R16 Rolling Radius = 182.81 cm cm
205/40 R17 Rolling Radius = 187.18 cm


Have a wee play yourself to see what the difference in profile/size makes...

My Brother's Flash Tyre Sizer

 

[JIMYU]

thats quite usefull but i'm not sure about the speedo adjustments.

I have 205/40/17 and my indicated speed is always more than my actual speed (using GPS). Ie my speedo says 52 mph when i'm only really doing 50, and 75 is only 70.

I hit 142 on the GPS on a airstrip but forgot to look at the speedo lol

But back to the question in hand, I never understand the need for winter wheels either. As long and you remove the grime weekly its no probs

 

[nogutsnoglory]

If you had expensive bbs that you just wanted to use for show or the summer it would be worthwhile, but generally im not sure its worth the hassle if you clean them regularly anyway.

 

[darrenh]

that's my thinking... they're bloody metal not polystyrene

might as well flog the standards then!