Rookie wheel question

[Damo H]

 

[Carbonara]

SRGTD has given above a very comprehensive account above of all the factors to think about when looking at an alternative set of wheels.
BUT I am still in limbo with a choice of winter wheels for my forthcoming Carbon Edition.
It comes with 19s but I really want to go to 18s (painted not diamond cut...winter use!)
Now Carbonara has already kindly pointed out that Team Dynamics pro race 18X8,et 40/45 will fit,the issue being the INSIDE clearance to go over the larger Brembo brakes.
Fine,but everyone likes a bargain and it's possible to buy a set of Wolfrace pro lite,same size and offset for a lot cheaper,only about £400 a set.
Both of these types of wheels are a similar design and are a semi light weight wheel,so you might assume that the inside clearance would be much the same,but I've tried two national alloy wheel companies so far...and they haven't a clue.
So the other important dimension,in some cases, is inside clearance diameter,which nobody states!!!

It's also about the internal profile of the wheel too, and specifically where the narrowest point is - and also where the weights can be positioned.

I got the internal measures for mine from Rimstock verbally, but have since thrown the scrap of paper once I knew my wheels fitted. PM me for contact details and another way to reduce pricing. I've only bought my 3 sets of ProRaces direct. They also told me that the matte black finish was harder wearing than the gloss black.

 

[Damo H]

It's also about the internal profile of the wheel too, and specifically where the narrowest point is - and also where the weights can be positioned.

I got the internal measures for mine from Rimstock verbally, but have since thrown the scrap of paper once I knew my wheels fitted. PM me for contact details and another way to reduce pricing. I've only bought my 3 sets of ProRaces direct. They also told me that the matte black finish was harder wearing than the gloss black.

3 sets?

 

[Carbonara]

3 sets?

Yeah, 4 sets now I come to think of it, but still got 3 of them. Fabia has 2 sets, but I've used the others on several cars. Made it awkward fitting the Cupra into the garage. Doing my own winter/summer swaps is like moving house! :-D

 

[Oldbutswift]

View attachment 2325

Yes,you can get them without the centre cap!

 

[Oldbutswift]

It's also about the internal profile of the wheel too, and specifically where the narrowest point is - and also where the weights can be positioned.

I got the internal measures for mine from Rimstock verbally, but have since thrown the scrap of paper once I knew my wheels fitted. PM me for contact details and another way to reduce pricing. I've only bought my 3 sets of ProRaces direct. They also told me that the matte black finish was harder wearing than the gloss black.

You have PM,thanks,

 

[Damo H]

Yes,you can get them without the centre cap!

Looks better that way.

If I was going aftermarket I’ve always loved the OZ Superturismo wheels since my first MINI.

The LM version looks just as good on the ST...

 

[KXL]

Out of curiosity, why are you not going 225/40 R18s (as the standard FR with 18s have ) and instead going 235/40 R18s? Or are the BBS you are eyeing only can accomodate 235s? Tyres tend to be cheaper @ 225/40s, plus, I'm not sure on a FR you will need the extra width of 235s

 

[Oldbutswift]

Out of curiosity, why are you not going 225/40 R18s (as the standard FR with 18s have ) and instead going 235/40 R18s? Or are the BBS you are eyeing only can accomodate 235s? Tyres tend to be cheaper @ 225/40s, plus, I'm not sure on a FR you will need the extra width of 235s

Sorry,my comments about winter tyres for Cupras are mixed into this thread.

225/40 will be fine for FRs.

The Cupra has 235 tyres standard so I would tend to stay with this width.

 

[Carbonara]

Sorry,my comments about winter tyres for Cupras are mixed into this thread.

225/40 will be fine for FRs.

The Cupra has 235 tyres standard so I would tend to stay with this width.

I had wondered this too when I found out the 225 was the default 18" size. I just did the calculation for mine based on the 235s fitted when delivered. Some advantage to narrower tyres in winter for aquaplaning and snow, but 235/40 is the nearest down conversion from 19" PP Cupras. To be honest, with 8" wide wheels, I wouldn't want to go much narrower anyway.

 

[Damo H]

I had wondered this too when I found out the 225 was the default 18" size. I just did the calculation for mine based on the 235s fitted when delivered. Some advantage to narrower tyres in winter for aquaplaning and snow, but 235/40 is the nearest down conversion from 19" PP Cupras. To be honest, with 8" wide wheels, I wouldn't want to go much narrower anyway.

I've always had the understanding that the narrower the tyre the better for winter. However when I read a tyre article a while back, one of the big tyre manufacturers (Continental I think) has said that in their testing, the bigger contact patch is still better

 

[Carbonara]

I've always had the understanding that the narrower the tyre the better for winter. However when I read a tyre article a while back, one of the big tyre manufacturers (Continental I think) has said that in their testing, the bigger contact patch is still better

If you think about it, it's just too much water that spoils things in winter, breaking the bond between rubber and tarmac where otherwise more = better. Obviously wider tyres and steering is a trade-off. I remember no power steering on my 205 GTI, and low speed parking effort.

 

[HumanSteamroller]

Out of curiosity, why are you not going 225/40 R18s (as the standard FR with 18s have ) and instead going 235/40 R18s? Or are the BBS you are eyeing only can accomodate 235s? Tyres tend to be cheaper @ 225/40s, plus, I'm not sure on a FR you will need the extra width of 235s

No, I think you'd get the 225s on the BBS SR wheels, but I figure that having a bit of extra rubber on an eight inch wide rim might aid kerb climbing ability, stop scuffing the wheels quite as quickly when the wife is driving etc.