Wheel upgrade benefit

[guari]

Hi all.

I'm just wondering, other than better looks, is there much benefit to larger wheels?

I understand bigger wheels are more fragile in poor roads and that a low profile tire should bend less in the curves, but does upsizing the rims decrease the total weight?

Reason I ask is I'm running 17 and I'd like different, aftermarket rims, but I'm not sure if going to 18 will bring an improvement. I couls stay in 17 size.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mk620T]

I went 17 -> 18. The car rolls less. I think it's because the sidewall is stiffer and there's less of it. You can fee the road quite a bit more too. This is sometimes good and bad haha.

 

[snobrdrdan]

does upsizing the rims decrease the total weight?

No, usually, bigger wheels = more weight

UNLESS you're looking at lighter weight wheels, but they usually cost more money

 

[guari]

Thanks for the replies guys. Appreciated.

 

[2015WhiteGTI]

No, usually, bigger wheels = more weight

UNLESS you're looking at lighter weight wheels, but they usually cost more money

Exactly. My wife has a 2012 X3 and the stock 17x8 wheel/tire combo was REALLY heavy. I got a set of Advan AVS T5 in 19x8-1/2 with appropriate tires and dropped 17lbs per corner!
So upsized 2" with a 1/2" wider wheel and dropped a ton of weight.