New Rims or Lower?

[Friction]

I have a pretty much stock standard 92 VP Exec. The only things that were done to her before I bought her were new alloy rims (15" with 215x65 on them) and new wooden steering wheel. I want to eventually have 18" rims and have it lowered, but what would be the best thing to have done first? In mind it would be best to add rims first because if I do it now while the 15's are on and then go out later and get 18's, the new rims won't fit.
Also, what size tyres do you think look best on 18's? I am thinking 235x45.

[Abrowne70]

i reckon get the 18's then lower it.

Thats what i'd do anyway.

[Morton]

Lower it first, then hopefully by the time you can afford 18s, you won't want them any more

[Friction]

Lower it first, then hopefully by the time you can afford 18s, you won't want them any more

You reckon it would look good lowered on 15's?

[Morton]

Ohh yeah Lowered on 15s is sexy if you get fat tyres.




It can even look good lowered on hubcaps.




18s = expensive tyres
18s = sidewall blowouts
18s = a LOT of money, which you could spend making it go faster
18s = ironically, the car will go slower

etc

[Abrowne70]

Morton does have a good point, i didnt take into consideration the money issue, you are gonna spend a lot more maintaining a car running 18" rims than on stock 15"s

[padrickz88]

Lower it first, then hopefully by the time you can afford 18s, you won't want them any more

finally! someone who agree's with me that 15's are the win

lower that bastard! will look 100 times better, worst thing is seeing a car with 18's but still 4wd but if you lower it, it will handle better and look fantastic

[Morton]

Not to mention, you'll be able to get all the tyres you'll ever need from wreckers for next to nothing

[Friction]

So what size tyres would look the best do you think? Should I stick with 215 or perhaps go a little wider to 235? Do you think 40 or 45 wall height is the way to go or stay with normal profile of 65?

[Reaper]

Ohh yeah Lowered on 15s is sexy if you get fat tyres.
18s = expensive tyres
18s = sidewall blowouts
18s = a LOT of money, which you could spend making it go faster
18s = ironically, the car will go slower

etc

Expensive tyres = check
sidewall blowouts = ??? how do you figure that one?
Lot of money = compared to 17's and smaller - yep (haven't we covered this one?)
Car will go slower = once again - why???

To the original poster, I'd recommend 17's for the VP. They sit and ride beautifully and are a ton cheaper to boot.

Reaper

[Reaper]

So what size tyres would look the best do you think? Should I stick with 215 or perhaps go a little wider to 235? Do you think 40 or 45 wall height is the way to go or stay with normal profile of 65?

Whichever profile stays the nearest to the original rolling dia of the tyres that were stock.

Reaper

[Friction]

Whichever profile stays the nearest to the original rolling dia of the tyres that were stock.

Reaper

I'm not 100% sure what you mean there. Do you mean that if I have 215x65 now I should stick with 65 profile? If so, why can't I go with lower profiles?

[Reaper]

I'm not 100% sure what you mean there. Do you mean that if I have 215x65 now I should stick with 65 profile? If so, why can't I go with lower profiles?

Tire Size Calculator - tire & wheel plus sizing

use the above calculator to help you out - plug in your existing tyre size and it will spit out all sorts of alternatives that will keep the rolling dia with limits.

Reaper

[Morton]

Expensive tyres = check
sidewall blowouts = ??? how do you figure that one?
Lot of money = compared to 17's and smaller - yep (haven't we covered this one?)
Car will go slower = once again - why???

To the original poster, I'd recommend 17's for the VP. They sit and ride beautifully and are a ton cheaper to boot.

Reaper

sidewall blowouts = they have more fragile sidewalls, which break more easily if you're crap at parking against kerbs (also, cheap 18" low profile tyres, which is all most P Platers can afford, will be more prone to premature sidewall failure. On my first car, I had 18" mags, and had one sidewall blowout over a speed hump, and another blowout around a corner at high speed. On CHEAP tyres.)

car will go slower = big mags are heavier. Heavy mags = more rotating mass When people will pay $600 for a flywheel that's 2kg lighter, you can bet mags that are 2kg heavier EACH have a BIG impact. Ask greenfoam

I agree with your recommendation of 17" mags. Good sized sidewall for flex and stability, cheaper tyres, looks better

Or, even better, stay with 15s

[coolvxss]

lower it 1st, then buy rims. Cars look crap with stock height with big rims. but still look good lowered with stockies. and if money is a prob, just get 17s. they are so cheap these days and still look good on a vn.

[Morton]

17s are the biggest you want Perfect for running slightly bigger brakes, too.