18+9 Wheels

[socalvn]

Any body running 18+9 +35 on 255/45/R18 thinking about moving down from my 20s for more confort and I'm lowered
THANKS

 

[Ohiocruiser]

You might have a problem in front with that size.

 

[Thomby]

Why not 19s?

 

[socalvn]

Why not 19s?

Not enough tire selection

 

[Volfy]

18" front fitment with wider than 8.5" width is quite possible, as long as you make sure to get a wheel that is optimized for front wheel fitment, with flatter spoke profile and greater brake caliper clearance. Different mfrs call their profiles with different names. Examples:

Enkei calls theirs "F" face vs. "R" face. Differentiation is self-evident.

Konig calls theirs "A" profile vs. "B" profile. Similar to Enkei above.

Other mfrs generally have similarly profiled designs, but these two mfrs are what I am familiar with.

Finding an 18x9 "F" face or "A" profile is more difficult, but not impossible. If that is really what you want, I'm sure you'll find some that might work.


Now then... what do you gain with an 18x9 vs. 18x8.5? Realistically, if you limit the tires to no wider than 255, that extra 0.5" don't really buy your tires that much better lateral support. IMO, the only reason for wider than 255 is RWD power handling. So... if you want tire rotation capability with a square setup and mount 265+ wide tires all around, then... yeah, 18x9s might be of interest to you. IMO, it is a pointless exercise with a 2.0T Stinger. We run square 255/40R18 A/S tires on 18x8.5 for street use on our G70 6MT Sport, and it is a sweet setup that balances steering effort, power handling, and ride comfort. Switching to 18x9 (with or w/o wider tires) would just add weight with no appreciable real-world gains.

Now, for a 2.5T souped up for some serious heat... okay, maybe. Nothing wrong with experimenting. If I ever go nuts with HP mods on my 2.5T (BTW, not really my thing), I would keep the 18x8.5 up front, and switch to 18x9.5 for running phatter tires out back. RWD power handling is the whole reason for going staggered.

BTW, 255/45R18 seems rather tall IMO. That's just me. Up to you to decide on your own ride.

 

[Thomby]

Not enough tire selection

Fair enough. In that case, assuming your goal is a square set (wheels+tires), and that the brakes fit under the 18s...

18x9 fronts add 1/2" (12.7mm) inside and out, then +35 offset shifts 1mm inward. I'm not sure if there's 14mm room to spare on the inside, but you're only 12mm further out on the outside. A 20mm spacer brings stock wheels flush, so running a 5-10mm spacer should work.

18x9 rears adds 1/4" (6.4mm) inside and out, then +35 offset shifts 11.5mm outward, or 18mm further out than stock. A 20mm spacer brings stock wheels flush so should be good.

 

[socalvn]

18" front fitment with wider than 8.5" width is quite possible, as long as you make sure to get a wheel that is optimized for front wheel fitment, with flatter spoke profile and greater brake caliper clearance. Different mfrs call their profiles with different names. Examples:

Enkei calls theirs "F" face vs. "R" face. Differentiation is self-evident.

Konig calls theirs "A" profile vs. "B" profile. Similar to Enkei above.

Other mfrs generally have similarly profiled designs, but these two mfrs are what I am familiar with.

Finding an 18x9 "F" face or "A" profile is more difficult, but not impossible. If that is really what you want, I'm sure you'll find some that might work.


Now then... what do you gain with an 18x9 vs. 18x8.5? Realistically, if you limit the tires to no wider than 255, that extra 0.5" don't really buy your tires that much better lateral support. IMO, the only reason for wider than 255 is RWD power handling. So... if you want tire rotation capability with a square setup and mount 265+ wide tires all around, then... yeah, 18x9s might be of interest to you. IMO, it is a pointless exercise with a 2.0T Stinger. We run square 255/40R18 A/S tires on 18x8.5 for street use on our G70 6MT Sport, and it is a sweet setup that balances steering effort, power handling, and ride comfort. Switching to 18x9 (with or w/o wider tires) would just add weight with no appreciable real-world gains.

Now, for a 2.5T souped up for some serious heat... okay, maybe. Nothing wrong with experimenting. If I ever go nuts with HP mods on my 2.5T (BTW, not really my thing), I would keep the 18x8.5 up front, and switch to 18x9.5 for running phatter tires out back. RWD power handling is the whole reason for going staggered.

BTW, 255/45R18 seems rather tall IMO. That's just me. Up to you to decide on your own ride.

Thanks you summed it up here. Looking at 18+8.5 now

A/S tires on 18x8.5 for street use on our G70 6MT Sport, and it is a sweet setup that balances steering effort, power handling, and ride comfort.

 

[socalvn]

Update purchased Konig Oversteer 18+8.5 35 offset
With 255/40/r18 tires.
Thanks Volfy appreciate the input, been burning my eyes researching this , my 20s look cool but just not practical for a daily driver

 

[socalvn]

Fair enough. In that case, assuming your goal is a square set (wheels+tires), and that the brakes fit under the 18s...

18x9 fronts add 1/2" (12.7mm) inside and out, then +35 offset shifts 1mm inward. I'm not sure if there's 14mm room to spare on the inside, but you're only 12mm further out on the outside. A 20mm spacer brings stock wheels flush, so running a 5-10mm spacer should work.

18x9 rears adds 1/4" (6.4mm) inside and out, then +35 offset shifts 11.5mm outward, or 18mm further out than stock. A 20mm spacer brings stock wheels flush so should be good.

Thanks for posting

 

[Volfy]

Update purchased Konig Oversteer 18+8.5 35 offset
With 255/40/r18 tires.
Thanks Volfy appreciate the input, been burning my eyes researching this , my 20s look cool but just not practical for a daily driver

Beau-i-ful wheel. I've always prefer low-count thin spokes. Keep it light weight and promote cross air flow for cooling the brakes. Which color did you go with?

 

[socalvn]

Beau-i-ful wheel. I've always prefer low-count thin spokes. Keep it light weight and promote cross air flow for cooling the brakes. Which color did you go with?

Opel, gloss black shoes dirt to much

 

[Volfy]

Opel, gloss black shoes dirt to much

Excellent choice. I'm not a fan of black wheels either, especially on light color cars.