Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels

bogdan · 04-04-2008, 06:11 AM

Hello,
I want to buy the 08' STi and I have a dillema. Put a side the look factor, I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between the handling and performances (stability, breaking) between the 17' base weels and the 18' BBS. I could only drive test the BBS version so I cannot judge for myself. Anyone could help me about it?
Thanks, cheers,
Bogdan

Moostafa29 · 04-04-2008, 06:39 AM

Both wheels for 08 are 18in. The BBS wheels are lighter, so less unsprung weight. Unfortunately, they aren't THAT light, so there probably won't be much of a difference in performance.

bogdan · 04-04-2008, 06:43 AM

The European model comes with 17' as standard and 18' BBS are extra.

ITSHON · 04-04-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogdan

The European model comes with 17' as standard and 18' BBS are extra.

Yeah, I think same as the JDM version. 17's and 18's...

Moostafa29 · 04-04-2008, 09:22 AM

Ahhh, didn't know that.

jph · 04-04-2008, 10:01 AM

what are the specs on those 17's ? and what tires are on them ?

J.

Edvig · 04-04-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jph

what are the specs on those 17's ? and what tires are on them ?

J.

The base wheel in Europe and Japan are the 07 Limited wheels...17x8.

jph · 04-04-2008, 10:10 AM

to the OP;
i decided to get the base wheels, as i will be getting after market wheels anyway. no need in paying a premium for wheels that i will end up replacing.

are you planning to keep the wheels that come with the car, or are you going to replace them? because neither of those wheel options are "light".

J.

bogdan · 04-06-2008, 10:19 PM

I would keep the 17' probably for a while...

Edvig · 04-07-2008, 03:53 AM

Another factor that will create a performance difference will be the tire sizes. The base 17" size is 235/45-17 and the 18" BBS size is 245-40-18.

the ambush · 04-07-2008, 05:51 AM

i always thought that the wheels got bigger over time to accomodate bigger brakes. not to improve handling ?!

Edvig · 04-07-2008, 06:21 AM

The rotors are slightly larger on the 08s but the brake calipers are the same size as the previous years.

04-04-2008, 06:11 AM	#1
bogdan Lurker Car: prospective STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 6 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels Hello, I want to buy the 08' STi and I have a dillema. Put a side the look factor, I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between the handling and performances (stability, breaking) between the 17' base weels and the 18' BBS. I could only drive test the BBS version so I cannot judge for myself. Anyone could help me about it? Thanks, cheers, Bogdan This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-04-2008, 06:39 AM	#2
Moostafa29 Amateur STI Driver Car: Titanium Gray 04 RX8 Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 23 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels Both wheels for 08 are 18in. The BBS wheels are lighter, so less unsprung weight. Unfortunately, they aren't THAT light, so there probably won't be much of a difference in performance.

04-04-2008, 06:43 AM	#3
bogdan Lurker Car: prospective STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 6 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels The European model comes with 17' as standard and 18' BBS are extra.

04-04-2008, 09:22 AM	#5
Moostafa29 Amateur STI Driver Car: Titanium Gray 04 RX8 Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 23 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels Ahhh, didn't know that.

04-04-2008, 10:01 AM	#6
jph S204 Racer Car: the wagon Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,925 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels what are the specs on those 17's ? and what tires are on them ? J.

04-04-2008, 10:10 AM	#8
jph S204 Racer Car: the wagon Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,925 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels to the OP; i decided to get the base wheels, as i will be getting after market wheels anyway. no need in paying a premium for wheels that i will end up replacing. are you planning to keep the wheels that come with the car, or are you going to replace them? because neither of those wheel options are "light". J.

04-06-2008, 10:19 PM	#9
bogdan Lurker Car: prospective STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 6 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels I would keep the 17' probably for a while...

04-07-2008, 03:53 AM	#10
Edvig STI Driver Car: 08 STI, 05 Legacy Fav Mod: dirt, grime and brake dust Location: Westchester County Posts: 200 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels Another factor that will create a performance difference will be the tire sizes. The base 17" size is 235/45-17 and the 18" BBS size is 245-40-18.

04-07-2008, 05:51 AM	#11
the ambush Senior STI Driver Car: 06 sti wrb Fav Mod: trading the svt for an sti Location: canada Posts: 322 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels i always thought that the wheels got bigger over time to accomodate bigger brakes. not to improve handling ?!

04-07-2008, 06:21 AM	#12
Edvig STI Driver Car: 08 STI, 05 Legacy Fav Mod: dirt, grime and brake dust Location: Westchester County Posts: 200 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Differences in handling/performance between 17' base and 18'BBS wheels The rotors are slightly larger on the 08s but the brake calipers are the same size as the previous years. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.