Whose running 17's and above? - Whats the ride like?

[Provo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Hey guys...i'm hoping to go up to 17"s, but my father thinks otherwise... Just asking who is running 17"'s and above, and what the ride is like? Harder then stock...softer then stock? Better? Worse?
Thanks guys...
(btw...only really applies to 95 type astina's...so I can get a direct comparison, but other thoughts would be nice)
Thanks guys

(also what rim width fits onto Astina's...guy at Bob Jane said only 6.5!!! What?)[/color:post_uid0]

[sik astina]

[color=#0000FF:post_uid7]Hey Provo,

I got a 95 model and im on 215/45/R17 and 7 inch wide (dont know whats the go with Bob Jane only telling you 6.5 ??? ), before i lowered my car the ride was pretty good and I didnt notice that much of a difference from my old 14's. If you go to the 40 series tyres you will feel a lot more of the bumps on the road.

It's only after you lower the car that it makes a noticable difference, makes the ride firmer. Personally, I think if you're gonna get 17's you might as well lower the car too. I got my mags and didnt lower the car for a while....looked sooooo high compared to what it is now.

Hope this helps,

-Mick[/color:post_uid7]

[sik astina]

[color=#0000FF:post_uid4]BTW, is yours the pop up lights? Those models were made from 89-96. ???[/color:post_uid4]

[Provo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Nope...the one after that...like yours.
What do you mean the 40 series?
By firmer...do you mean better firmer or worse firmer?[/color:post_uid0]

[sik astina]

[color=#0000FF:post_uid5]hey, with the 40 series tyre there is less rubber. the higher the number the thicker the tyre is. with the firmness the ride is harder, but its not that noticable. It will be a little bumpier, but thats to be expected. :;):

are you going to lower your car? ???


-Mick[/color:post_uid5]

[Provo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Yeah, but not right away.
I was thinking maybe about 2 - 2 1/2 inches...?

Any other opinions...I need some force to convince my father...[/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]i've got 17's on my 96 hardtop (identical suspension to he hatch).

i had those on my car without it being lowered for a few months, and honestly, the ride wasnt that much different. you felt the initial impact of bumps a little more, but the increase in handling was worth it.

As Sik said, you really only notice the 17's when the car has been lowered, when it becomes firmer and a little harsher, just because your suspension has a lot less travel with 2" lower springs in it. :;):

you've got the right idea with height - 2.5 inches is perfect for everyday driving. :)

cheers
Daniel[/color:post_uid0]

[Dogo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I went from stock 16.5" to 18s ( v6 astina ) and like rupewrecht, I noticed the difference mainly on initial impact with a bump. Not uncomfortable, but still noticeable :)

Then with it lowered, The ride is firmer, and the bumps feel harder, but still not too uncomfortable. My lowering springs are progressive, and for the moment the shocks are still stock. So its not too bad, but with the new shocks, It'll be harder still.

And with the v6, the stock width was 6.5". My new wheels are 7.5. So I dont think the Bob Jane guy knows what he's talking abt !!

Dave[/color:post_uid0]

[Critter]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]I'm "biting the bullet' on 17s next week....the car is already lowered and is a bit firmer than stock (1.5" lower on Kings), no biggie tho' IMO.

The "cushion effect" is less with the lower profile tyre but the trade-off is there: less sidewall, less flex, firmer ride, points better and squirms less.

As for wheel width, how much you can have is going to be determined by the offset of the wheels you use, so saying 6.5" is meaningless without that.
More offset allows wider wheel/tyre so long as it doesn't push the whole thing in so far that it interferes with suspension etc.[/color:post_uid0]

[BigBoyLemonade]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Im running 18's and lowered 4" and its a very bouncy ride! so 17's with a 2" - 2.5" drop is perfect... nice and firm but not uncomfortable and is very safe.. PPL for get the real reason you lower the car and put lower profule tyres on.. for handling so in theory the car is safer with wider tyres and slightly lowered[/color:post_uid0]

[Critter]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Now the 17s are on with 205/40 17s, the ride is a bit choppier but it's fine. Go for it!![/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#FF7F00:post_uid0]wanna try the 19s? with 215/35 series tyres[/color:post_uid0]

[Rupewrecht]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]i would, if they fitted...[/color:post_uid0]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]is that like driving with just the rims no tyres type feeling eric?[/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#FF7F00:post_uid0]dont know,
they are still brand new.
still got the tyre stickers on a couple of tyres.
i may try to re-drill the alloys and change to wider tyres for the TT[/color:post_uid0]

[Provo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Hey guys in regards to 17x7's do they scrap the suspensions or bodywork at all when turning? Any probs with them on 95 Astina Hatchs? Ezzy...in particular the size you gave me? Thanks[/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#FF7F00:post_uid0]i have had no problems with my 18" x 7.5" momo sports with 215/35 series tyres. no rubbing front and back and thats with 4.5inch lowered.[/color:post_uid0]

[pr1mo]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]whos wheels were they again eric? :;):[/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#FF7F00:post_uid0]huh?
which what?[/color:post_uid0]

[MMM323]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]i just put 17s on my 2002 323 a week ago. i also got it lowered the same day 1.5 inches. i must not lie and say it doesnt ride worse. but i am looking forward 2 getting new shocks.[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]You have to expect that lowering and running low profile
tyres will make the ride firmer. *Using progressive springs
instead of linear will help a little but it the price you pay
for looks and better handling. *All of us have accepted it
otherwise would change back to stockers.
Its only really on the bad roads like parramatta road etc
where you really start cursing. *I always take the route
that has the best roads even though it may be longer.

Regards

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[AHH323]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Hey tony when you say you've got a really bouncy ride with the 18"s + dropped 4", when you are driving on ****ty roads, parramatta rd first came to mind for me as well mal, does your car bounce after the impact or stay firm with minimal bounce?
same question for you as well mal, if i recall your both running the stock shocks, i think ?
because i get a bit of bounce in the tx3 and it's dropped 3" running on those 17"s, i just wanted to find out how much longer i have with the shocks.[/color:post_uid0]

[BigBoyLemonade]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]oooh Parramatta Road... Yuck...
Um it hits bump or crack in the road goes up and quickly comes down... Its a harsh Bounce/Slam rather ****ty shock bouncy up and down thing

PS. I hope that just made sense[/color:post_uid0]

[BigMal]

[color=#000000:post_uid1]If the car bounces a second time after a bump then the shocks
are on their way out. *By that I mean you hit a pothole, the
car goes down hits the bumpstops (Bang) and then the car
is pushed up by both the shocks and springs. *The car will
go past its normal ride height and then come back down.
If the compression part of the shock is stuffed then the
car will dip down again a little bit past the ride height and
you get a second smaller up/down till the car rests at the
ride height for the springs. *Sorry longwinded but hope you
get the idea. *You also get more body roll in the car.
I know my shocks are had-it and this is how mine
handles/rides. *Still corners great but will be bull**** with
new koni's.

Mal[/color:post_uid1]

[AHH323]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]ah cheers mal. yeah my shocks do the same, it still fly's straight through corners but if there are any bumps it starts to feel unsafe at high speeds.[/color:post_uid0]

[CEPAT]

[color=#FF0000:post_uid0]Tony, did you roll ya guards to fit the 18"?[/color:post_uid0]

[BigBoyLemonade]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Nope they fit easy.. you gotta buy the right size and dimensions though[/color:post_uid0]

[CEPAT]

[color=#FF0000:post_uid0]u running 18x7? :D[/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#FF7F00:post_uid0]it would have to be 18 x 7.5 with 215/35 profile tyres[/color:post_uid0]

[BigBoyLemonade]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Eric is correct...18x7.5

I am going to sell my rims maybe and get light race 17's
18's are nice but tyres are too expensive...[/color:post_uid0]

[CEPAT]

[color=#FF0000:post_uid0]o ok.
I love the hight of it where the guard is above the wheel if you know what I mean.

Where do you get Vaults in canberra man?[/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#000080:post_uid0]tony, it all depends on where you go.......mate![/color:post_uid0]

[BigBoyLemonade]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]hmm.. interesting.. check you message box[/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#000080:post_uid0]okay, check yours too![/color:post_uid0]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]check out this site tony. mite find something you like there.

LENSO (http://www.lensowheel.com/)[/color:post_uid0]

[cooldragon]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]if you like my wheels, fondmetal type 5800 dark chrome, check out www.fondmetal.com or www.fondmetal.it

[img:post_uid0]http://www.323fclub.nl/Autos/images/cooldragon8.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

[img:post_uid0]http://www.jeroentje.nl/media/foto/92.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

[img:post_uid0]http://www.jeroentje.nl/media/foto/93.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

[img:post_uid0]http://www.jeroentje.nl/media/foto/94.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

[img:post_uid0]http://www.jeroentje.nl/media/foto/96.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

thanx 4 using the pics from ur page , Jeroentj![/color:post_uid0]

[EZZY]

[color=#000080:post_uid0]my brand new 19"s is still for sale.....
[img:post_uid0]http://www.ezzy-style.com.au/p_ezzy54.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

:laugh:[/color:post_uid0]

[IZG-00D]

[color=#000000:post_uid0][img:post_uid0]http://intranet/fun_social/images/mazda323.jpg[/img:post_uid0]

how about this? $2k...[/color:post_uid0]

[mrpayner]

[color=#000000:post_uid0]Hey Cooldragon

On the Fondmetal website it says that your wheels only go to 16", and i noticed that yours are 17". Did you get them specially made?? I think they're pretty nice

Thanks mate

Does anyone else know if we can get those wheels in Australia??

Adam[/color:post_uid0]