cortc

A larger wheel does not mean a larger rolling diameter... If you go from 18 to 19 and go from a 45 to 35 aspect ratio tire you will actually be slightly smaller... I have 235/35 and 265/30 tires on 19 and the rolling diameter is a bit smaller... Also, though an 18x8 wheel will always weigh less than a 19x8 wheel of the same make and style the lower aspect tire of the same make and style weighs less...

takahashi

Can I add something:

You see the measurement of the rim:

18x8.5JJ +40 PCD 114.3
18 = diameter of wheel in inch
8.5 = width of wheel in inch
+40 = offset, meaning the distance between the midpoint of the width of the rim and the nut plate, in mm
PCD = is the distance between the nuts, in mm

and in tyre 245/45-18

245 = width of tyre in mm
45 = aspect ratio (45% of 245mm in this case)
18 = rim width in inch

To your question yes... 9" can carry wider tyre - and heavier

takahashi

Yes nowadays the tyre and wheel weight the same. It used to be lots of heavy alloy wheels. Now most of them are paper weight and it is ok. that is why we are having 18"

mikeb

so my rx8 doesn't look like everyone elses

mysql101

That was my reason too, but now my car looks just like mikeb's.

mikeb

no way jason
we have different colors so its all good

mysql101

That's a relief, I was worried about having to find time in my schedule to set your car on fire....

meteortorrey

I'm thinking of having my stock rims powder-coated black. Anyone know of any
possible problems I might run into? (Besides the car sitting on blocks while the
work is done)

cortc

You might lose a couple hp from the weight of the paint...

MrWigggles

... or the weight of the wheel lugs.

Ole Spiff

I don't know how old you are, (the original poster) but customizing a car is a time-honored thing here in America. Basically since the 1950's when American culture really started to become a Route 66, automobile, fast-food culture...customization has been and still is, very popular. In a mass-production society where everything is made to be identical, individuals naturally want to maintain their individuality. Autos and trucks are a great avenue for that expression, since most of us spend a fair amount of time driving to work and back, and being seen in your vehicle is usually the only place the public at large will see you.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, you can't look like everybody else; you have to look different...even if it's only the rims on your car. Yes the rims I bought are lighter than stock (about 3lbs per rim) but I mostly wanted them for looks. They make my car look more expensive, and "special". Especially in the early evening light when the shine of the waxed blue paint and chrome rims really show off the lines of the car.

There are many reasons why people buy rims, but making your car look different from everybody else's is probably high on the list for everyone; that's why I bought mine to be honest.

Rob Tomlin

Nice post Ole Spiff-

I am very familiar with the tradition of customizing cars being in SoCal. In fact, I am very close to Route 66.

I knew when I posted this question that many would say they buy the aftermarket wheels for looks, but I wanted to see how many did this, and what other reasons would be.

The responses have been quite interesting so far.