I regret putting on 18's.

[Superhatch]

I ordered a set of Enkei TSV in storm gray (18x8.5 +38) with a performance winter tire (Michelin Alpin 5, 235/40) and was pretty stoked to put them on. I wanted to see a silver wheel on the red, and was looking forward to some more sidewall in the winter, also everyone is constantly talking about the "god spec" 18x10+40 I thought the wheel I picked would be a good glimpse into what that would look like for when I got that in the summer.

I put them on, and they aren't bad, but something about them didn't sit right with me. From the side the 18 just doesn't fill up the wheel well like the 19s did which seems obvious but it's more dramatic than I thought it would be. The best way I can describe it is that it looks like a tuned civic, not a CTR. I thought it was the 235/40 tire that just didn't look as thick, but even from a purely side view they just don't look 'right'. I asked some older muscle car guys at work and they all agreed.

I'll keep these for the winter and then probably sell them, run a 19" for the summer and the stock wheels in the winter.

My point is before you buy the 18" try to see them in person as you might also think they just don't fit the fenders/design of the car.

Edited to note the side view is the issue, not tire width.

 

[Bat1]

Yeah bro, you went with 18x8.5. That's not the best spec tbh. You should have gotten 18x9.5 +38 or 18x10.5 +47 or 18x10 +40. Those are good spec...

These set up will allow you to run 275/35/18 or 285/35/18 like the picture below

 

[Bat1]

 

[J_D]

this is why i went with 255/35/19 VikingContacts on a set of OE wheels

 

[Nikw91]

Damn, I’m about to order some 18x9.5 +38 and you’re saying this lol

I think when you don’t have black rims with the red paint, then it really needs tint and a lip.

 

[PWR2W8T]

Well, you bought the complete wrong sizing across the board....

 

[HondaHoon]

If he specifically got that spec size for winter, it totally makes sense that he went narrow on the width as it will aid in traction in deep snow. But yes, of course it will not look like a CTR because you are running a standard civic spec width.

As far as running 18's and the offset, the size of wheel looks fine to me and the offset is not bad either for a winter wheel setup. Recessed into the fender is what you want as all the road debris will be contained and not flinging all over your paint.

 

[J_D]

If he specifically got that spec size for winter, it totally makes sense that he went narrow on the width as it will aid in traction in deep snow.

Common misconception

 

[HondaHoon]

Common misconception

While its not an absolute in all possible conditions or scenerios, narrow tires generally aid in traversing snow better than wider ones. The primary reason is that they exert higher pressure per square inch on the road surface, allowing them to cut through loose or deep snow more effectively to reach firmer ground below, which improves traction and reduces the tendency to float or hydroplane on slush.

That said, the advantage isn't absolute and can vary by conditions—such as packed snow versus ice, where wider tires might offer a slight edge in braking due to a larger contact patch.

But, recent real-world tests have also shown that the performance difference between narrow and wide winter tires is often minimal, and the quality of the tire (e.g., tread design and compound) matters more than width alone.

I am giving the guy the benefit of the doubt here. Besides. Who the hell want to pay for a "god spec" winter only tire. Seems like a giant waste of money to me.

 

[Superhatch]

I think some of you are missing the point. It's not the tire width that I'm regretting. It's the diameter of the wheel.

18x10 or 18x8.5 is still an 18" circle tucked into your wheel well.

The ratio of the tire does make for a taller sidewall but that happens no matter what you do on an 18". The god spec tires noted above have a larger sidewall compared to the ties I put on. From the side I think the car looks worse on 18's.

 

[HondaHoon]

I think some of you are missing the point. It's not the tire width that I'm regretting. It's the diameter of the wheel.

18x10 or 18x8.5 is still an 18" circle tucked into your wheel well.

The ratio of the tire does make for a taller sidewall but that happens no matter what you do on an 18". The god spec tires noted above have a larger sidewall compared to the ties I put on. From the side I think the car looks worse on 18's.

Ok I missed the point bro.

You fucked up I guess.

 

[Superhatch]

I am giving the guy the benefit of the doubt here. Besides. Who the hell want to pay for a "god spec" winter only tire. Seems like a giant waste of money to me.

That was part of the calculation. I'm not going to drive the car hard in winter, or much at all, but I might need it on occasion so I went with a wheel/tire combo from tirerack that I thought would look good, and saved some money on the tire.

 

[HondaHoon]

That was part of the calculation. I'm not going to drive the car hard in winter, or much at all, but I might need it on occasion so I went with a wheel/tire combo from tirerack that I thought would look good, and saved some money on the tire.

Ok well at least you saved some cash. Not a total loss.

 

[Superhatch]

Ok I missed the point bro.

You fucked up I guess.

I mean it is a good winter setup overall. I just thought I would be running that 18x10 in the summer based on how these looked and that thought went away real quick once I had them on.

I'll probably end up with a GTC02 or something like it in a 19x9.5 this summer.

 

[HondaHoon]

I mean it is a good winter setup overall. I just thought I would be running that 18x10 in the summer based on how these looked and that thought went away real quick once I had them on.

I'll probably end up with a GTC02 or something like it in a 19x9.5 this summer.

Hey, that is what makes the community great. Everybody does different things based on their like and dislikes. No hate man. You do you and be proud of the results.

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