I am thinking of going from 17's to 18's with a 225/40 series tire. This isnt my daily driver but I think my state has the worst road system in the country. How prone is an 18 with a 40 serices to bending?

 

i'm running 235/40/18 and my wheels are holding up fine. i think what you have to do is avoid hitting sharp edged bumps, holes or what have you at moderate to high speeds.

i hit a nasty bump while i was in salt lake city, utah that scared teh shit outta me. the vertical impact was high and i heard a crash that shook me and the car as well as a loud, metallic "twang" w/a long reverb. i thought immediately that i had bent the rim, but upon inspection, everything was fine.

 

I've had 2 cars with 40 series tires. One was a Prelude with 225/40/16 the other was an Audi with 245/40/17. Bent rims on both on bad potholes.

 

a 40 series will be fine, it really depends on the wheel more. Don't go w/ some shady wheel company.

Look at all the manufacturers who are putting 35 series on cars


btw, if you are interested I have 2 Nitto 555 235/40 18's for 200 shipped to your house. They may have 200 miles on them.

 

half of the members here have 18's w/ 40 series tires...no problem

 

Lightweight rims are great for racing, but are more likely to be damaged when you SMACK a pothole.
My rims are FORGED and are quite heavy, but they have taken a few big hits and came out FINE.

I’d rather loose a little speed and have something that will last a few years.

Shawn S

 

I run a 235/35/19 on my rims and I have to buy rims like I am driving an eighteen wheeler

 

in my area, alot of people have been recommending that i get a steel 18" rim wrapped in heavy pirelli rubber. if i were to get 19's what would the best rubber be to wrap those in?

 

This is probably true. On my prelude with 225/40/16s I had Manray sports. It was a huge bump though where they tore up the highway actually ruined the tire as well. I had about 38lbs of air in the tire. On the Audi I had 17 inch OZ chronos which were supposed to be strong. That wheel bent in 2 places and the tire showed no sign of damage. The guy I sold the car to got them fixed and has already bent one again. So the moral is light+cheap= bent.

 

i was planning on getting 19" volks, but now i'm reconsidering that after reading this thread, damn you guys!!! j/k

 

volks are fordged...but I'd stick w/ 18's