Fitting stepped alloys?

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Fitting stepped alloys?; Opinions please.
Topic Started: Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:15 pm (92 Views)
Johnboy Mac	Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:15 pm Post #1
Member Posts: 1,608 Group: Members Member #2,771 Joined: June 12, 2008	Hi Guys, I have two sets of alloys the original 15x7 forged and a set of 16x8 (R129's, EVO's). The 16x8's are currently on the car but the tyres are now on the legal limit (great wear from the Fulda's, 20k mls). I'm not convinced they have done anything to benefit steering feel even when the tyres were new. So I was either going to fit the 15's as the tyres are excellent or just fit them to the front and buy new tyres for 16's on rear only. Any comments welcome as I'm not sure what advantages or disadvantages there would be with 15&16's fitted. . Thanks in advance. John.



alogaparaloga	Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:29 pm Post #2
crazy mind Posts: 602 Group: Members Member #2,419 Joined: March 14, 2008	My opinion is that if the fronts have some more life? Use them at the rear to wear them and a bit and then go for a full change to another tyre make. Riding will be a bit strange with mixed 15 and 16 inch wheels. maybe it's worth selling the front ones on ebay and get some of your money back.



NEIL	Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:39 pm Post #3
Fewer Posts than Kenny Posts: 16,131 Group: Members Member #63 Joined: November 18, 2005	alogaparaloga Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:29 pm Riding will be a bit strange with mixed 15 and 16 inch wheels. +1, especially with the weight difference. A 15" forged wheel with 205/55/15 rubber may weigh a fair bit less than the 16" cast unit with bigger tyres. I can see it looking a bit pikey, tbh. Fine for track days, a bit nasty for daily use. Stick the 15s back on and drive it for a bit to see how you feel?



Johnboy Mac	Wed Nov 4, 2009 9:49 am Post #4
Member Posts: 1,608 Group: Members Member #2,771 Joined: June 12, 2008	Thanks for the replys guys. I'm no too concerned regarding looks tbh, just wondering if there would be any benefits to having 15&16's. I suppose not???. What I might do is try it out with 15's on the front and the best of the 16's on the rear and go from there. But I can see me ending up with 15's alround. Edited by Johnboy Mac, Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:49 am.



daveronimo	Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:27 am Post #5
Member Posts: 161 Group: Members Member #1,671 Joined: September 6, 2007	My suspicion is that you would get more understeer due to the imbalance of rubber between front and rear. Certainly not what I enjoy in the wet...



Johnboy Mac	Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:55 am Post #6
Member Posts: 1,608 Group: Members Member #2,771 Joined: June 12, 2008	daveronimo Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:27 am My suspicion is that you would get more understeer due to the imbalance of rubber between front and rear. Certainly not what I enjoy in the wet... But in the dry?



chrismatheou	Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:57 am Post #7
Enthusiast Posts: 1,457 Group: Members Member #789 Joined: January 4, 2007	NEIL Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:39 pm alogaparaloga Tue Nov 3, 2009 3:29 pm Riding will be a bit strange with mixed 15 and 16 inch wheels. +1, especially with the weight difference. A 15" forged wheel with 205/55/15 rubber may weigh a fair bit less than the 16" cast unit with bigger tyres. I can see it looking a bit pikey, tbh. Fine for track days, a bit nasty for daily use. Stick the 15s back on and drive it for a bit to see how you feel? I can see the Tolimans on the front and Titanium Evo II's on the rear looking rather track!



daveronimo	Wed Nov 4, 2009 4:15 pm Post #8
Member Posts: 161 Group: Members Member #1,671 Joined: September 6, 2007	Johnboy Mac Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:55 am daveronimo Wed Nov 4, 2009 10:27 am My suspicion is that you would get more understeer due to the imbalance of rubber between front and rear. Certainly not what I enjoy in the wet... But in the dry? More understeer than you get normally, which is a fair bit in my opinion. This isn't fact, just my immediate thoughts about the physical grip differences in putting more rubber on the rear.



Johnboy Mac	Wed Nov 4, 2009 4:27 pm Post #9
Member Posts: 1,608 Group: Members Member #2,771 Joined: June 12, 2008	Yeah thinking the same. Thanks daveronimo.



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