AFAIK the only reason you change to bigger rims are just for aesthetic reasons. Bigger rims are heavier, consume more petrol for you to run them, does not aid handling (if not F1 cars would have huge rims by now). When you balance the rims with low profile tyres, you increase cabin intrusion noise and poor ride quality. You may increase thread life as there is a bigger tyre thread on the wheel-but then rims may be easily be cracked because the low profile wheels have little power to absorb bumps to the rims.

So aside from looks-any benefits of going to bigger rims?

erm, braking?

http://ezinearticles.com/?Low-Profile-Tire...-Both&id=759889

in bold is wrong...

when u go bigger rims u have to go lower profile tires... this helps in handling as it reduces tire wall flex. dont bother comparing F1 cars with road cars... F1 cars the wheels are super wide so it really doesnt affect them that much.

also, most of the time when going bigger wheels u also go with wider than stock tires... this will improve handling by adding more surface area for better traction...

and for smart people...when going bigger wheels, they tend to upgrade to lightweight wheels. and most lightweight wheels are also stronger and more resilient towards the malaysian road condition. though those big lightweight wheels + tires combined may still be heavier than stock wheels+tires combibned, at least it helps to reduce rolling mass.




but for most people... its the looks..

Not necessarily true. Lets say it does increase breaking-but you loose out on tyre and rim wear-wall too short-can shear the tyre and may destroy rims. Also, cars have ABS to apply the break lock, so it does not really make any difference.

I've read that article, and few more to summarise the findings.

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Added on February 6, 2011, 7:26 pmI thought about that too until I read in a BMW forums somewhere where someone wanted to put huge rims to improve the X5 handling-and does not work. Unless you drive on non-toll intercity roads like EWHW you will not get the benefit of the handling

I am not so sure about the resilient part. I saw this some time ago. UK roads are similar to Malaysian roads:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/1...loy_wheels.html

Alot of places I read say that bigger rims improve handing. I think Mythbusters need to work on this.

This post has been edited by mystvearn: Feb 6 2011, 07:31 PM

If u want bigger rims (2-3" larger than stock), ensure it is lighter than stock with tire combo. Weight both stock rims and tire first before deciding. If new rim and tire combo is lighter than stock, still worth getting it. But, most people go for large rims at lower cost (which means both rim and tire combo will be 20% heavier than stock).

This post has been edited by acbc: Feb 6 2011, 08:51 PM

thats coz theyre just expecting too much... the improvement in handling is minimal... most people will not feel it since they drive everyday like is a sunday.... but for spirited driving and cornering it can definitely be felt...the most significant gain for improving handling is ALWAYS the suspension setup. everything else like bars, tires, etc etc are just additional support.

resiliency...i was comparing with stock rims... most stock rims are utter crap... and those from P1 n P2 are worse since theyre from JRD...

aftermarket wheels tend to be stronger due to their build process... the metal is just simply better.


mythbusters probably cant work on this... coz they probably know jack about aggressive/spirited/track driving... should get race car drivers to do it like Best Motoring etc....

besides... look at JGTC cars... they are ALL (or almost all) running bigger wheels and low profile tires.

I always like bigger rims... At least the rim repair shop would be very happy....

the reason why those f1 use big profile rubbers is simply because their suspension is too stiff to absorb the road unevenness in order to maximize the aerodynamic grip usage. the tires will help to do the job.

if you want to compare should've compare with GT cars...

i change my michelin tyre 1 years ago.. never balancing again.. is it caused high profile tyre.. before this used bridgestone.. every 2 -3 months need balancing.. maybe because of rubber wear out already

Thanks for the feedback

im using 70series 13' need to balancing every 2-3 month.

Hi Madman. U know JGT running slicks which are like sponge right?

Anyway whatever u guys upgrade to, the wheel diameter should always remain the same. If big wheels, use thin tires. Because u want the speedo to show the factory speed and not giving the impression u are travelling at light speed.

This post has been edited by netmatrix2: Feb 7 2011, 02:39 AM

I don't plan to upgrade-save money-save fuel. Default size enough with me

slick and semi slick tyre has much stiffer sidewall...

that guy must be kidding! huge wheels alone does not improved the handling of his x5 which has had a tall center of gravity. lowered suspension and wider tire should works thou. this had been proven on relative's x6.
btw, if the upgrade is still within the same percentage( ie; 195/60/15 to 205/45/16) and no obvious increased in weight (a bigger tire is heavier but this can be compensated by choosing a reliable lightweight wheels), it will definitely increased the handling esp. on winding road.
also, lower profile tire gives a more direct and progressive steering feel(depending on the tire choice as well) with compromise in comfort(depending on the tire sidewall and pressure). do note that there might be also a slight compromise in braking capability, speedometer reading, acceleration and fc esp. when the upgrade % is done well over the rules.
tire and wheels upgrade alone does not assure a compose ride and handling thou. suspension and brake system upgrade need to be
put into consideration too.
and it's all down to the choice of tire too! comfort? performance? or extreme tire...? choose one according to the environment and driving style!
ask track and touge kaki' and they should be able to give a direct answer

No use upgrading to bigger wheels and low profile tires if the ride height is still stock.

wah 70 series?
change bigger rim la bro..

70 series for 13" is the stock size for iswara, wira, satria etc etc la...

To fit bigger brakes as well

TS,
Assuming there r 2 setups with just either high-low profile tyres (same brand n model) or bigger rim + bigger/fatter/lower profile tyre setup being d variables:

High - low profile tyres
Basically d taller d tyre wall, d more tendency it is to flex. Then there is d higher centre of gravity when u take corners, like comparing cornering of a sports car againt a bus. But higher profile tyres = more air = more cushioning = more comfort.

Bigger rim
If u've lifted light weight rims before I'm sure u wont say bigger rims = more weight. There's plenty of light weight rims (branded or Taiwan or even Korean) or just simply plain alloys tat r much lighter than standard rims. How good r they is like imagining u having 2 sets of shoes: 1 light (Japs slippers) d other heavy (safety boots). Which will need d least effort to move about? Of course there r also 'display only' rims tat r merely for looks probably due to cost reasons.

But even with a balanced light rim + low profile tyre combination, d driving improvement may not be significant enough to be felt as there r other factors tat weigh in.