Smaller Sidewall for Lowered Look

[LapisM6i]

Hey guys,

I'm definitely trying to lower my 6i. However, as I'm going off to college next fall, and although springs are affordable, I don't know if I can afford to replace my shocks after 15k miles. I was wondering if I could just get new tires when I have to replace them, but get them in something like 225/35/17 with the stock rims for a lowered look? I'm not sure if this will work out, so I need your guys' help.

If you guys can convince me to just go the springs/shocks route, then I might just stick with that plan.

Thanks in advance.

[Sigma]

I'm running 35-series tires now.

Or rather I was before denting a wheel so bad it will no longer hold air. And this wasn't exactly a one-time occurence, there are numerous other dents on my wheels that are much smaller but didn't impact anything. Now I'm back on stocks pending a repair that I need to get around to having done.

I really suggest that you don't go below a 40-series.

[MZ6ZoomZoom]

Well... you could... that's not going to give it a lowered look though - you're gonna create even more distance between the top of the wheel and the bottom of the fender. Your speedo will also be slightly off (high) and your odometer will record slightly more miles, plus your ride will be much rougher.

[Tire Guy]

Might be a moot point. I couldn't find anyone that makes 225/35R17. The only 225/40R17 I could find is by Nitto. That tire is 24 inches tall vs 25.5 for the oe tire. Going that small would be a huge mistake, for the reasons already stated by MZ6ZoomZoom and more he didn't state (increased wear/tear on drivetrain for example).

Going with a quality set of aftermarket springs, like Eibach or H&R, is not really that expensive and the payoff is much better. Better ride quality (than going too small on tire size) and no negative effects on your speedo/odo drivetrain, etc. My advice, save your money until you can afford the springs, or go to a 225/45R17.

[Stretch]

Going to a low profile on 17's will give you a look, but you'll need lowering springs to reduce the huuuuge fender gap it'll create. Even with coilovers, the fender gap of my race tires (215/45/16) is huge. You'll reduce your gear ratios, which may be a bad thing depending on what roads you drive on. It may also be a very, very, veeeery good thing. But reducing you tire diameter on heavy wheels can decrease performance because your making your wheels spin faster to move your car the same speed, but usually the reduced gear ratios vastly outweigh this. Just be aware.

Personally, I'd highly suggest keeping your car (or any car) stock for college. Save your money for more important things- your car is the last thing you'll care about in college.

After college, go freaking nuts.

[rekcrazyboy]

like stretch said.. with a lower profile sidewall, ur car will be lower but the fender gap is gonna be huge

[LapisM6i]

interesting.

thanks for the advice guys. as of now im only planning on getting magnaflows, springs, and then thats it until i either trade my car in for a wrx during college for keep the 6 longer.

looks like i'll just got with eibachs, and scrounge up a few hundred for shocks later on.

[crossbow]

Btw if your going to be living "on campus" get the most beatup, pos car that runs that you can.

Old car's are the best college cars. It'll get dented, hit, bumped, scraped, scratched, beer thrown at it, pissed on, etc. Instead of crying in utter pain and horror everytime you walk out to your car, you'll just smile, nod, and drive off, not carrying that someone decided to place their trunk on the hood of your car, leaving a whole set of large gash marks as they dragged it off.

[drew]

Originally posted by crossbow@Oct 23 2004, 01:42 PM
Btw if your going to be living "on campus" get the most beatup, pos car that runs that you can.

Old car's are the best college cars.* It'll get dented, hit, bumped, scraped, scratched, beer thrown at it, pissed on, etc.* Instead of crying in utter pain and horror everytime you walk out to your car, you'll just smile, nod, and drive off, not carrying that someone decided to place their trunk on the hood of your car, leaving a whole set of large gash marks as they dragged it off.

[snapback]319715[/snapback]

Agreed! When I was in college, I didn't have problems with damage, except for the two times my stereo was stolen. Once, they broke my driver's side lock and took my pioneer head/CD player. I replaced it with the stock tape player that didn't even work...just to make it look presentable.

This is the funny part. Two months later, someone jimmied the *passenger's* door open (did no damage, but the driver's side was broken, and therefore always open), and stole the stereo that didn't work.