I am presently on standard 17inch rims on an Evo 9. These RIMS are a but rashed up and I've got some good Advan Neova's on them and use them as track and weekend road work. Presently I'm looking at getting a new set of RIMs probably RPF-1's but really not sure whether to go for 18 inch or stick with the 17 inch. So below are my pro and cons for 17 inch or 18 inch

Stay with 17 inch:
Pros: the tires are heaps cheaper, seems 235/45 tires are the sweet spot for any good brand tires. As soon as you go bigger or even wider you get slugged another 100 bucks per hoop, really I just want to slam this thing around a track and have fun on the weekend.

Cons: 17 inch don't look as good as 18 inch, BUT if I was going to go with 18s then I really need to lower and probably roll the rims, yeh I've read all the stickies and if you really want that stanced 18 inch look you need to go low and roll but all this modding for the sake of a look isnt worth it to me if you know what I mean.

Go with 18 inch:
Pro:
Ok better handling. more rubber on the ground as I assume you need to go wider to get that look and the lowering keep the centre of grav low so I guess better handling. I've seen Evo X rims on a 9 and the skinny 18 inch rims don't really look that crash hot if you know what I mean, you need to go low and wide otherwise not at all.
Con:
One of my mates said to me, if your an old guy you need to stick with standard look, if you slam a car its really a young guys look and you don't want people laughing at you, lol really but I understand where he is coming from.
And of course the higher price of the 18 inch tyres to think about, plus the cost of lowering and probably coil overs too, could come to thousands of dollars.
Another thing is if I keep the standard 17 inch rims with Advans for track and go with 18 inch for the road, I can't really interchange without adjustments all the time.

ok so what do you guys think? should I stay with another set of RPF 17 inch or go with 18s?

 

What about potholes? Isn't a rim more likely to get damaged when it is a higher diameter with less rubber "cushion"?

 

good call, thats another Pro to stay with 17inch, more robust on back roads

 

For me the only driving factor in going to 18" wheels was the flexibility in wide tire sizes. In 17" you're pretty much limited to 235-255, and 275/40/17 (I know Hoosier makes a 275/35/17, but I'm assuming we're sticking to street tires here...). It honestly depends on what you're doing with the car. If you're just looking for looks, sure go to an 18 wheel if you want. If you're tracking the car occasionally, 17" is probably your better bet, as 255/40/17 is generally the preferred size. If you're into serious competition, then a wide 18" is the best choice, as you'll be able to run 275/35/18, 285/30/18, and wider. Obviously the latter comes along with the required body work to make it all fit.

 

Ran both 17 & 18 but at this point all 17

18's do look better but 17's look good only if you go aggressive w/the wheel width, offset & tire width (265 & above)

Just bought 4 new Federal 595's 265/40/17 for $98.00 per each (they are as wide as a 275)

 

17's are easier to keep light, and 255/40x17 is such popular size that deals on excellent tires are likely. For street wider than 255/40x17 is unlikely to help/make car faster, you'll be far more limited by fear/concern/risk-calculation and pure talent shortcomings.

18's can look better....and have wider choices on track...once crossing 275 width.
But are big decision: to step up to 285 from 275 is a big undertaking: on my Evo I ran 275/40x17 on 17x9 +35 (and 17x9.5 +38) with moderate pull/roll. Easy Peasy.

Now to optimally support 275/285/295 I stepped up to 18x10.5 +38, which requires R/TErnie arms, more pull, rolls, potential paint damage, and spacers up front.
So the total investment is substantial, for the +10 or so mm of thread. Not to mention increased unsprung mass.
For strictly track car its worth it, but street car absolutely not (worth, economically and functionally unjustifiable, unless its show cool that one is pursuing regardless).

 

where did you find 265 595's? I have only seen 255's

 

Bought them from a vendor Ive never used prior, but were at my door in 2 days. As you may know they run 1 size wide

http://simpletire.com/catalog?select...m=17&zip=91745

 

The only advantage I've found to an 18" wheel is being able to run wider tires and a bit more inboard clearance from the rear, lower control arm (and I mean just a bit).
There is a guy I know that sets event records and FTDs on a 255 tire (he kicks my butt at Buttonwillow), so I know that I, personally, don't need anything wider and stay with a 255/17. The price point sure is nice, too. LOL
I don't care if my car looks better on 18s, so that works in my favor. I think Evos look sick with a set of aggressive 17s.

 

Ahhh I see, I thought you were talking about the 595rsr that makes sense now.

 

Little harder compound (240) but definitely a summer tire & its called 595 EVO

 

I'd say a 285/30/18 is much easier to fit on an Evo than 275/40/17. Obviously it depends on the wheel specs, but the 285 is significantly shorter.

Weight is a good point. You're going to shell out a whole lot more $$$ to keep a wide 18 light. My 18s are light for their size at 21lb, but they sure aren't cheap (18x12 +20 Volk ZE40).

 

Holy crap. What are you running on that wheel, 315s?

 

For some crazy *** reason, RPF1s look better in 17" on the CT9A.

Too bad the rake is backwards:

 

But only in the wider sizes. A 17x8 looks crappy, IMO, while the 9.5 looks great.