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[RJGBMW]

Been thinking of changing my 162 staggerd 8"F and 8.5"R rims to all 162 8" rims for better ride. Anyone done this? Would someone with 162's want 8.5" all around- even trade?

[gthal]

Just curious... why would you want to do this? Is it for convenience later, i.e. all the same tires?

[dmichael]

I am gettting 162's and going with 18x8 all around but that's because I am getting an xi. Just curious, why would this setup offere a better ride over stock staggered setup?

[RJGBMW]

1: better ride- assume higher sidewall on front staggered wheel will improve ride if mounted also in rear. 2: convience- nice to have all 4 rims & tires the same- rotating now possible. Also, when replacing tires, only concerned with 1 size. Same logic would apply to E90er who gets 8.5 rims all around, I would think.

[Revlis]

Will improve handling as well by doing away with the Lawyer approved and highly fashionable staggered setup.

I'm thinking about doing 8.5" on all four corners with 255s if they will fit. If not Maybe 245s all around.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by RJGBMW

1: better ride- assume higher sidewall on front staggered wheel will improve ride if mounted also in rear. 2: convience- nice to have all 4 rims & tires the same- rotating now possible. Also, when replacing tires, only concerned with 1 size. Same logic would apply to E90er who gets 8.5 rims all around, I would think.

The overall sidewall height will remain the same. The aspect ratio will change (ie 40 to 35), but that number is just a ratio between tread width and sidewall height. I'd recommend replacing the RFTs with non-RFTs if you want ride quality improvement.

[spacedogg]

Originally Posted by Jaws

The overall sidewall height will remain the same. The aspect ratio will change (ie 40 to 35), but that number is just a ratio between tread width and sidewall height. I'd recommend replacing the RFTs with non-RFTs if you want ride quality improvement.

+1

But if being able to rotate tires is that important to you...go ahead.

But I personally would stick with a staggered setup. Otherwise the rear tires will look "tucked in". Besides...if you want to reduce the understeer...you can play a little with the PSI...or upgrade the rear sway bar.

The only time I think a non-staggered setup is important is with winter tires...

[montreal_bimmer]

going from 8-8.5 to 8-8, there wont be much difference in performance... but you will gain the option of a 4-side rotation.... i would do it if i were you

[dmichael]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

But I personally would stick with a staggered setup. Otherwise the rear tires will look "tucked in".
The only time I think a non-staggered setup is important is with winter tires...

Its only a half-inch difference, so not sure If I'd notice a tucked in look, and you can always add 15mm spacers, right? Non staggered seems like a good idea for xi models, where staggered seams pointless.

[Nikki]

I went from the OEM 162s to 18 x 8.5 all around for autoX. It will reduce understeer, but unless you're racing it you probably won't feel a difference.

[bavarian19]

If you think that Xi's cant handle a staggered setup, then you are wrong in that regard. There have been many members who ride an xi setup with 162's staggered, or other staggered setups.

There will not be a huge difference in performance going from staggered to 8's all around. The difference is just minimal.

If you are doing it just for the sake of rotating tires, do it. I think that if your doing it for any other reason, its not going to be a big enough difference to notice...

[spacedogg]

Originally Posted by dmichael

Its only a half-inch difference, so not sure If I'd notice a tucked in look, and you can always add 15mm spacers, right? Non staggered seems like a good idea for xi models, where staggered seams pointless.

Yes you could always run spacers...but why run spacers when you don't need to? So now you have to switch a non-staggered setup...just to run spacers? Hmmm...I dunno...seems like too much effort just to be able to rotate tires. Maybe that's just me...

Originally Posted by bavarian19

If you think that Xi's cant handle a staggered setup, then you are wrong in that regard. There have been many members who ride an xi setup with 162's staggered, or other staggered setups.

+1. Xi with sport package comes staggered from the factory!

[dmichael]

I never said xi can't run staggered. Its been sufficiently proven that staggered is absolutely fine on xi.

I think the whole point of xi is that you want an equal amount of grip on all 4 corners, all the time.

I'd have to see in person if an 18x8 wheel with 225 tire looks tucked in before I could make a judgement as to needing spacers or not.

I think there are a few other good reasons for running 18x8 non-staggered besides rotation (read longer tire life), for 1 example, 225/40/18 are quite a bit cheaper than 255/35/18. At tirerack.com they carry 79 225/40's and only 25 255/35. When you need 2 differnt tire sizes, your make/model options diminish.

Back to the OP original thoughts on going 18x8 all around for a better ride? I don't think anyone would notice the difference using 18x8.5 versus 18x8 in a blind test, sidewall height is roughly the same. 8.5 handles only slightly better because of the wider stance, but its not very dramatic.

[spacedogg]

Originally Posted by dmichael

I think there are a few other good reasons for running 18x8 non-staggered besides rotation (read longer tire life), for 1 example, 225/40/18 are quite a bit cheaper than 255/35/18. At tirerack.com they carry 79 225/40's and only 25 255/35. When you need 2 differnt tire sizes, your make/model options diminish.

So essentially it comes down to costs as the ulimate reason for going to a non-staggered fitment. It is cheaper because: A) the tires at are cheaper at the outset and B) by being able to rotate one is able prolong the tire life therefore decreasing the operating cost of the tire.

The problem I see myself from doing such is the hassle of A) selling your current staggered rears two wheels B) buying a new/used set of two wheels in non-staggered sizing. What a pain in the butt! Maybe I'm just too lazy.

I have non-staggered 17" setup as my winter wheels. I personally do not like the "tucked in" look of the rears...it is noticeable to me. Keep in mind...we are only talking about millimeters heres (hence why spacers come in 10mm, 15mm, etc. sizes). So it's not a HUGE difference...I'll give you that...but it IS noticeable. I doubt the common public or most people would notice...but most e90post'ers would.

[voltron1011]

Originally Posted by dmichael

Its only a half-inch difference, so not sure If I'd notice a tucked in look, and you can always add 15mm spacers, right?

It's actually only 0.11 inch (3 millimeters = 0.118110236 inch)...

If you notice, the rear wheels are 8.5 inches wide with a 37mm offset. Whereas the fronts are 8.0 with a 34mm offset. If you plug those numbers into the calculator above, you'll see that there is only going to be 3mm difference on the outside.

[dmichael]

Originally Posted by voltron1011

It's actually only 0.11 inch (3 millimeters = 0.118110236 inch)...

If you notice, the rear wheels are 8.5 inches wide with a 37mm offset. Whereas the fronts are 8.0 with a 34mm offset. If you plug those numbers into the calculator above, you'll see that there is only going to be 3mm difference on the outside.

I see what your saying, your absolutely right, and who would notice 3mm.

The calculator assumes that the extra half-inch equals 12mm. Adding the difference in offest of 3mm to the strut side leaves the 8 inch rim 3mm more tucked than the 8.5 inch rim. Splitting hairs here, but a half inch is really closer to 13.5mm than 12mm. The real difference is in the tire width. 225 vs 255 = 30mm difference. It varies brand to brand, but in general 225 looks a little to narrow on an 8 inch rim. 255 on a 8.5 inch rim is better. So if you take the extra 30mm in tire width, split that in half and add in the extra 3mm offset to the strut side, take that 3mm away from the outside you have a difference of 12mm. Close to a half inch. Looks better, no question. I have 8x18 all around, but I am thinking about getting a pair of 8.5 for summer use and swap just the rears when winter rolls around.