RE: 17" wheels on a Spider

["Glenn Wasserman" <glennwa@domain.elided>]

More precise handling at the expense of ride comfort. Depending on the
suspension design and alignment, you can get more grip due to less flex
of the sidewall. Could keep more rubber on the pavement.

If the wheel is a lightweight one, why not? If you've got $$ burning a
hole in your pocket and don't mind a harsh ride over bumps, why not?

17lbs for a 17" wheel is pretty light - really. The 15" phonedials on my
Spider have to be at least 25 lbs, although I've never weighed them. The
14x5.5 turbina wheels are REALLY light, but then again, they're skinny.
A 17" wheel that's sufficiently light would seem to have few
disadvantages. s

-----Original Message-----
From: Tessie McMillan [mailto:tessmc@domain.elided]
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 5:50 PM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: re: 17" wheels on a Spider

OK, it's been a while since I've asked a dumb question or played the
devil's advocate... so I'll do both! &:-)

Why would anyone WANT 17" wheels on a Spider? I've seen honking large
wheels on, for example, dedicated GT-3 race cars that are driven
primarily
at high speeds in high gear. But for the street or the track, I wouldn't
consider anything larger than 15" on my Spider (I'm also aware 16" are
used on the Quad, and as Gordy would say, I have an opinion about that
too) and for my Audi Quattro as well (although as far as looks go, it
would work on the Audi). I've got 16" for my 911 and do not ever intend
to
consider anything larger. Personally, I think 14" is a really decent
size
for the Spider except for the incredibly annoying fact that it's hard to

find good tires... (as was my experience when I bought new 14" wheels
for
Olive Oil a year or so ago).

For a light car like the Spider I think you're unnecessarily adding to
the
unsprung weight to bump the wheels up to 17". And one would have to
change
the tire profile to something ridiculously low, not to mention the fact
that tires cost more in a larger size. I guess I just don't see the
point
of this exercise, if the car is still to be nimble in traffic.

Someone please enlighten me?

Rant button off, dumb-question button turned back off.

Tess
in Bellevue, WA U.S.A.
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