What's the difference between running 17s or 18s? Any pros? Cons? Recommendations? Suggestions? Modifications?

I hear if you run 18s you have better handling/gas mileage. Dunno if that's true.

Btw, this is out of sheer trying to understand the difference between running the two.

 

I wouldn't say 18s have better handling. Tire prices for 18s are a lot more than 17s. I personally prefer 17s over 18.

 

Besides prices, is there any other reasons why?

 

IMO unless you are tracking the car most of the differences (other than $$) will be negligible. Get whatever you like.

 

It's really preference. An 18" wheel + 35 series tire is going to be negligibly taller than a 17" w/ a 40 series tire (for example a Dunlop Star Spec 255/35/18 and a 255/40/17 are both 25" tall). I personally like 17s better because they weight less (a little) and tires are less expensive (same example as above: $249 vs $172 respectfully). Due to our limited offset allotments, 17s also have a wider variety of wheels to choose from Due to the shorter sidewalls on 18"s (35 series), they do provide a stiffer sidewall that can improve handling.

 

RC youve come to save the day again. Thank you!

 

some wheels just look better in 18s and others in 17s. pick your wheel first

 

Sillyboxer makes a good point. Set a budget first, pick wheels you like second, check the sizes third...if they don't/won't fit, move onto the next wheel.

 

The overall size in weight is almost identical:

Wheels: Wheel 1 Wheel 2
Wheel size 17x9 ET 63 18x9 ET 63
BackSpace 190 mm (7.5'') 190 mm (7.5'')
Typical Weight ~ 27 lbs / 12 kg ~ 30 lbs / 13 kg
Tires: Tire 1 Tire 2
Tire size 255/40-17 255/35-18
Section width 255 mm (10'') 255 mm (10'')
Sidewall 102 mm (4'') 89 mm (3.5'')
Tire diameter 636 mm (25'') 635 mm (25'')
1 mm (0.2%) shorter.
Rim sizes 17x7.5 to 17x9.5 18x7.5 to 18x9.5
Circumference 1997 mm (78.6'') 1994 mm (78.5'')
Revs per mile 805.9 807.1
Speedometer Assuming that this is OEM tire and speedometer readings are correct >>> When speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 59.9mph (96.4km/h): 0.2% slower.
Typical Weight ~ 24 lbs / 11 kg ~ 23 lbs / 10 kg
Wheel+Tire Weight ~ 51 lbs / 23 kg ~ 53 lbs / 23 kg

 

You get more options to run wider rubber in an 18, wile also maintaining or changing the effective gear ratio you want. 17's are limited in this manner. 17's are lighter and less expensive. 18's are more versatile. Pick your poison.