Big wheels are bad!!

[alphalanos]

I just read an article in Motor Trend about large diameter wheels. Basically what they said was that anything different then the stock rims can ruin your cars suspension, steering, and handling. This makes me want to just keep my steelies and put some nice yokohamas on them, even if they are just 185/60/14.

[Grant@Tirerack]

That's sort of like saying butter and bacon kills people. There are extremes in everything. In general, a plus one or two size (done correctly) will improve handling and performace. It's when these shops start putting 20" sizes on cars that were designed for a 15" wheel and tire that you start running into mechanical issues.

[Dsilver]

Just kidding Grant, I agree, nothing wrong with putting larger wheels and tires on your car, just don't go to the extreme.

[goinbig]

First of all, going up a size won't really improve performance. It is harder for the vehicle to rotate a larger tire/wheel, and it is harder for it to stop. With most of the larger wheels, people put on lower profile tires (shorter sidewall) so it is not actually that much larger in diameter all together, which is what matters. Also, there is no way it can hurt the suspension. THe only thing it could really even damage is the axles and differentials.

[Dsilver]

I think you are right on that one.

[Boss San]

Let the fools with their Esclades put 24" wheels on. It's not like they handle to begin with. And what's wrong with adding a hundred pounds to the unsprung weight. They're still gonna kill us if they hit us.
If your talking about putting large wheels on sport based cars, yes, that is dumb. Race cars use only what they need to get the largest contact patch for optimum handling, usually not being more than 18" (19" in some cases). You have to compromise the contact patch with the weight and sidewall cover.

[Dsilver]

Boss San is the right on, and I love the Hulk Homer.

[Boss San]

HOMER SMASH!!

HOMER DRINK!!!

Bwwaahhhhhh!!

[Dsilver]

Haha, good stuff.