Wheels... 18 by 8.0 vs 8.5 - use same tire?

[Tweakophyte]

Hi-

I am looking for new 18" wheels for my winter rubber. Some wheels are 8.0" wide and others are 8.5" wide. In both cases tire rack says to use 245/40R18. Won't that change the outside diameter? Will it end of stretching the tire?

Since this is for winter tires, any other concerns?

For reference I already have the tires from a set of 18x8.0 wheels (I gave to my son).

Separate question. Since I am coming from the stock titanium wheels, which I believe are 19x8.5, should I just match the offset (ET43?)?

Thanks!

[kevinz]

I just did this. Car came with 19x8.5s and I ordered 18x8s with 245/40R18 for winter. (19x8.5s are Michelin Pilot Super Sport, I got Michelin Pilot AS/3 for my 'winter' set because it's pretty dry around here most of the winter)

The tires did not seem stretched at all, in fact there is a little overhang of rubber beyond the outside of the wheel rim so I'm not too worried about scratching up the wheels if I misjudge a curb once in a while. I don't think that 8.5s would have really look 'stretched' but for winters I do not know why you would want to increase the tread width - it's part of the reason I downsized (in addition to a little more rubber between my wheels and the potholes)

However the tires are noticeably (to me, anyway) set back in the wheel well compared to the 19x8.5s. I looked up the stock offset for the 18x8s and it was 45 (or 48 I think) so I went wth 18x8ET48 thinking it would match the gap between the wheel well of the 19.8.5s. No, it does not. I wish they were closer to the fenders, maybe 3/4 to a full inch.

I ended up getting the Bremmer BR16, which look nice. I kind of wish I had gotten the KMC KM706 though, i kind of like the spokey look and the offset is less which would have pushed them out a little bit more.

[Tweakophyte]

Thanks for the note.

I am wondering about the difference between 18x8.0 and 18x8.5 wheels with respect to the same tire: 245/40R18. Tire rack says to use the same tire, regardless of 8.0 or 8.5, but I am concerned it will have an inappropriate stretch to them.

I've already run a set of winter tires on 18x8.0 for a few seasons, but I gave those wheels to my son. I kept the tires and am looking for a new set of 18" wheels. Part of me wonders if I get the 18x8.5 if using the offset of the 19s (ET43) will have a better feel. The 18x8.0 I gave to my son were ET45, and I swear it felt like the wheels were too far in.

[LYKUNO]

If it's any help, my winter wheels (BBS RGRs) are 18x8 with an ET of 35. The tires are 235/45-18 Michelin Pilot Alpins. There's no appreciable stretch, but enough that the tire's rim protector bead is sufficient to prevent scuffing if a wheel/tire was somehow inadvertently layed face down on the ground.

[Tweakophyte]

If it's any help, my winter wheels (BBS RGRs) are 18x8 with an ET of 35. The tires are 235/45-18 Michelin Pilot Alpins. There's no appreciable stretch, but enough that the tire's rim protector bead is sufficient to prevent scuffing if a wheel/tire was somehow inadvertently layed face down on the ground.

Thanks. Those are the tires I have. I was really wondering how those exact tires fit on an 18x8.5. I am assuming your wheels are 18x8.0. That said, how do you like the wider offset?

Thx

[LYKUNO]

Yes, my wheels are 18x8.0. The offset is sufficient to avoid being tucked in too far, but not so far out (i.e., poke) that the tires throw snow/slush slop on the fenders. PM me an email address and I can send you some relevant pics taken from different angles to give you a better idea of the fitment. I'm on OEM ADS suspension, so not lowered.