RWD Car wheel sizes

[craig180]

Ok, hopefully a simple question that someone can answer for me (Sayer, Ryan/DannyGTI???)

If you have a rear wheel drive car, is there any advantage in having different sized wheels on the front as opposed to the rear. For example, I've seen many TVR and Lotus with bigger diameter wheels on the rear (17's rear, 16's front)

If so is there a general rule of thumb that you should stick to?

[dannygti]

not really, the lotus's do it so it improves handling and unsprung mass. i doubt youd notice any difference without lots of testing.

[craig180]

So if, hypethetically I had an RX8 with 17x8 inch Rotas on the back and 16x7 inchers on the front would there be any benefit in having that set up over and above 17x8's all round?

[pjm300]

more surface area on the back to get the power down

less surface area on the front so steering isnt impeded

and rotas have a habit of snapping

[Mystic]

They tyre sizes change too so the front & rear circumference often ends up the same dispite the different alloy sizes.

Just about any RWD car has different front & rear setups though dont they? Even my dads Z has a wider profile rear tyre.

Dont know of any rule of thumb for it but i guess its just a toss up between grip, weight etc?

[Ben]

I thought the RX8's had alloys wheels on the rear as standard?

[craig180]

I thought the RX8's had alloys wheels on the rear as standard?

They have 18s as standard but I want some lightweight 17s and/or 16s

[Ryan]

Pretty much as stated, larger wheel with wider tyre for traction at the rear, but not having massively wide front wheels which tramline massively.

[Mystic]

When did you get an RX8 you wankel? I must have missed the thread on that one! You not gonna get stung by stupidly high tax next year?

[pjm300]

how are you finding the fuel economy craig? :D

[craig180]

Whoa there. I've not picked it up yet.

Tax shouldn't be too bad. It's a 2004 which is the lower tax band. Post April 2006 is £400+ whereas mine is just over 200

[Ashleyp]

Rx180?

[craig180]

Rx180?

Rx231 bro

[Ashleyp]

sweeeeeet

[Ryan]

Rx231 bro

is that on lads rollers again :D

[craig180]

is that on lads rollers again :D

Standard ;)

[Mystic]

I thought they fell into that bracket when the first year you had to pay £950 or something & then you drop down the next year to the standard tax band? Unless thats just the post 06 ones too.

I was quite upset thinking in 2011 no one would own them anymore because of the extortionate tax!

[JBVTR]

I know with mine the rear tires are about an inch wider than the fronts as standard on 17' alloys all round but cant see how you would benifit from larger alloys on the back unless you needed huge traction

[Drago]

Mix matching wheel sizes will play havoc with the DSC
Keep that in mind