17" or 18" on a BJ IRS beetle?

[-Alex-]

I have little "problem", havent yet decided which size wheels + tires planning to buy.

I have 3cm wider front fenders and 6cm wider fenders at rear + early 944 alu arms + coilovers at the front.

Wheels i have decided to get, are these:

http://www.kerscher-tuning.de/images/dynpic.php?file=L3JhZWRlci9ncmFmaWtlbi9mZWxnZW4va3 JzLmpwZw==&width=300

http://www.kerscher-tuning.de/raeder/index.php?id=2

Great looking wheel for beetle, i think. Front wheels planned at size 7,5" and et 41, rear wheels 9,5 or 10" and et between 50-60.

Only problem that there is not much choices at tires if i want at back wider than 255 at size of 17", there is few, like 265/40 or 275/40, but these usually cost more than 265/35 18.

Will the ride be much worse if i get 215/40 18 + 265/35 18 tires instead of 215/45 17 + 265/40 17 tires?

I know that these front wheels and tires will fit to front, but what about rear? If the wheels have too much et, spacers can be used, what would be optimal et with these wheel sizes?

[speedy]

Alex ,
I run 17 7&9 inch wheels 215/255 with a 50-55 offset , my front wings are 40mm oversize rears 60mm, steel 944 rear arms and a 2 inch narrowed front beam , with 996 brakes on the front and rear i require 25mm spacers on the front and 40mm spacers on the rear to sit them just on the inside lip of the arches , your rear arms may be a touch wider but i hope this will give you a better idea about offsets etc , personally i would like a deep dish on the rear wheel so would opt for the smallest offset on the rear to achieve this in my case Et20 on the rear with a 5 mil spacer for adjustment .

Hope this helps

Jonathan

[-Alex-]

Ok, things have changed. I have bought mendeola a-arm suspension (not yet arrived).

Really have decided to use 18" rims, like 3-piece one used or new. Kerscher wheels are nice because you can choose ET.

Planning to go reasonable :D , so front 7,5" wheels and rear 9,5" wheels. Wonder what et would best... Maybe at rear 60-73mm and front about 40mm

http://www.kerscher-tuning.de/raeder/index.php?id=2

http://www.kerscher-tuning.de/images/dynpic.php?file=L2thZWZlci9ncmFmaWtlbi9rYXJvc3NlL2 thZWZlcl9ncnVlbl82dTExaWFfZ3Jvc3MuanBn&width=500

http://www.kerscher-tuning.de/images/dynpic.php?file=L2thZWZlci9ncmFmaWtlbi9rYXJvc3NlL2 thZWZlcl8yXzJpX2dyb3NzLmpwZw==&width=500

[onixbonilla]

Hi Alex.I would go for the 18".
The ones you choose are excellent choice with the classy looks that
do not age as most modern wheels.
Don't desperate, we will get our Mendeolas in a couple of weeks!!!:D

[-Alex-]

Yeah, i will go with 18" wheels. This style wheel is classic but aggressive, i like them.

[Steve C]

Hi

One thing you need to keep in mind is getting the correct size tyres and stance, get it wrong and car will look like a kids toy.

Steve

[-Alex-]

Yes, thats true. I am planning to put front 215-225/40 R18 and rear 265/35 R18.

Man these wheels look good, even on a porsche... :lmao:

http://www.barthworks.com/cars/imperialpalace/photos/94Porche911bs.jpg

[-Alex-]

How wide actually fits to back and how much there is room for backspacing from stock setup? 6cm wider rear fenders, early 944 arms, which widens about 43mm per side with brakes?

Original wheel 4,5 x 15 et34

Kerscher wheel 9,5 x 18 et67 or 73, depends if wheel has flat or high center.

http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

67-43 = 24mm

Inner clearance is 53mm less than stock with this setup, probably doesnt fit. Spacers or wheel with less et perhaps? et54 or 60 is next smaller et.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5017/wheelet.jpg




But again, base point for these measurements could be perhaps typical empi 8-spoke which is 5,5x15 et 30 and it fits under stock rear fenders easily. At this calculation, 9,5" et67wheel is still used.

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3538/wheelet2.jpg