Small wheel/stretched tire look.

[libila]

I've been really getting into the small wheel with the stretched tire look after browsing through pictures of older Euro cars the past couple weeks. I was wondering if there are any real pros/cons with a wheel and tire combo like this, aside from looking friggen' cool?

Here is a picture if you guys don't know exactly what I'm talking about. This car is my inspiration :D

http://www.vw1303rs.de/images/dscf4275.jpg

Those are 15x8.5 BBS Rennsports assuming my German is ok :p

[kleinporsche]

All right Libila. That's an impressive car! Nice wheels too! I have a set-up that looks like it: 205-50-15 Pirelli P700z on 15x8 bbs. It's got tremandous handling: To tell you the truth, I can hardly make the car skid. I drive the car pedal to the metal in each curves: it sticks like hell and the tires don't make any noises. The lowdown is, on the highway my top speed is about 15 mph slower!!!!!!! :yawn: So I'm thinking selling the BBS for 16 inchers. Good ideas for autocrossing or tight twisty roads but sleepy on the autobahn! Hope this helps. :o

[libila]

Thanks for the responce Klein. I was thinking that a lower top speed would be a con, as well as that smaller wheels may not allow for some bigger brakes.

Could you post any pictures of yours?

[GRMNLK]

Tire stretching is popular in drifting too, and I havn't heard of the bead unseating while going sideways around corners...so far. It doesn't look safe but it sure does look kool :D

[Chris Percival]

I am glad this topic came up, I plan on doing this to a certain exent on my front wheels (they are 7.5*17) when I fit them, as I will probobly have wing clearance issues with a normal width tyre..

[zen]

i have some ACE webbed rims, 15x7 (or is it 6?), that may go up for sale that would look great. only thing is that they are 5x112 as i bought them for my van. one is bent, but repairable. thought of still going that direction with the van, but it is already speed challenged with the rolling circumference it has now.

[KaferChris]

They stick wheel...but on the limit of adhesion you haven't got as much warning, and they don't protect the wheel/rim against curb rash...and the obvious they ride like wooden wheels.

[libila]

Does anyone else have more info they would like to share?

[1303L]

:) Hi, Do you have more pics of these fat bug? Perhaps side view & rear view. It's look so impressive.