Funny, I was thinking of asking a similar question. - Saab General Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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As for larger RIMS, you can use a lower-profile tire given the same outside diameter. This gives you a stiffer sidewall leading to improved traction, less susceptibility to over/understeer, higher speed rating (sidewall flex ==> heat). You also get disadvantages: increased tramlining, more chance of wheel damage from potholes. (You see these low-profile tires on TRUCKS fer cryin' out loud! That's just vanity.)
For an example, on the 9-5 the 17" rims use 225/45 tires (4" high sidewall) and the 16" tires are 215/55 (4.7" sidewall). They are approximately the same outside diameter, 25" give or take a few tenths.
The question I wonder about is, why are the outside diameters so much larger on some performance cars? Take the Aero-X: 265/30 tires on 22" rims give about a 3" increase in outside diameter over the 9-5. Why?
Posts in this Thread:
- What is the purpose of larger wheels?, Kirk, Sat, 10 Feb 2007 07:52:53
- About shorter sidewalls..., dmz789abc, Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:15:42
- Good post!, scottg, Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:53:34
- Re: What is the purpose of larger wheels?, Kirk, Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:57:07
- Jumping in here..., Noel, Mon, 12 Feb 2007 05:40:26
- Handling..., Chaz, Sun, 11 Feb 2007 05:35:46
- a few reasons, actually..., KenManiac , Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:31:38
- supersize mentality........., dr fall, Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:36:25
- They look a hell of a lot better................, dcjayhawk, Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:35:44
- Re: What is the purpose of larger wheels?, Lars ew, Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:18:04
- Re: What is the purpose of larger wheels?, Kirk, Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:45:12
- Got 24's ?... Ego, what else!...., Mike Lynch , Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:52:48
- Re: What is the purpose of larger wheels?, Dean, Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:30:08
- Better handling, firm ride, and appearance..., Caarma , Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:40:57
- Funny, I was thinking of asking a similar question., Caarl , Sat, 10 Feb 2007 08:37:01 <-- Viewing This Message
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