Torque and Chrome

How is it better to have bigger-sized rims/wheels; how is it worse?

im looking at a small- to medium-sized (mid-size) car-based crossover SUV (CUV) that comes with standard 16-inch alloy wheels, & 18-inch wheels as an option. i think it would have been better to put 17-inchers on there as an option instead. arent 18- to 19-inch rims more prone to wearing out more quickly and/or with more frequent blow-outs than the smaller 16-inchers? ive heard the smaller the rim and bigger the tires, the more durable they are. its also more difficult to find the right-sized matching tires for them in the case that you DO get a blowout and need to replace them with new tires. these 18-inch wheels can look either good or bad depending on the perspective, but i really hate those huge 20-inch chrome "bling-bling" rims that you always see on cars when you are in the "ghetto" neighbourhoods.

Public Comments

1. Bigger rims need more expensive tires, but you'll get better handling. Smaller rims, cheaper times, worse handling, smoother ride.
2. Go drive a car with both sizes. Make sure you are on turns, see how one does not handle so well...... I laugh at these people who put these huge tires on vehicles that obviously can not handle them, then wonder why the (usually pick up truck) rolls over on turns.....
3. The benefit of larger wheels is that they are typically wider and heavier and help holding the road better. They also look better. On the other hand, they are (again) heavier, and the centrifugal force of rotating a larger diameter, heavy object requires more energy to push them, so you lose fuel efficiency. Additionally, they cause a rougher ride and are prone to being scraped by curbs. I have 17" wheels on my car, and live in the city. Each wheel has nicks and scrapes from street parking.