Wheel size selection, Need some schooling! Options

[KevinP]

I was wondering why someone would want to go to a 17 inch wheel on there 914 from the stock 15 inch.

I now see you have an increase in wheel and tire weight with the increase in size and the chances of have more problems with handling and balance. Are they reducing the difference by going to a low profile tire?

I still see that you have more rotational mass than stock...this i see as a problem or the potiential for.

See if you can edu macate me here............TIA

KP

[angerosa]

OK - Everyone is touching on the answers but I'll give it to you straight since I'm considering this now too.

1. Appearance - You might like how the different wheel looks. (I bet this is the least common reason for people switching wheels (in the 914 community anyway))

2. Increased speed - If you can make it so your tires have a greater circumference than they do now, you will go faster. One revolution of your tire now covers more distance.

3. Traction - Some people put the GT flares on so that they can actually go with a wider wheel/tire. A wider tire has more rubber touching the ground at any given time so you'll grip more in corners and on starts.

4. GT flares can allow you put a larger circumference tire because there's a little more room in the wheel well. (see #2)

5. Handling - Larger wheels, smaller sidewalls mean when you turn the wheel there is less give in the sidewall and your car will turn quicker giving you more of that go-kart feel. This is huge. A small decrease in sidewall has a huge impact on response (This is the main reason I want different wheels and tires.) If you shrink the sidewalls and don't increase wheels diameter your wheels look funny. A bigger wheel doesn't always weigh more.

6. breaking performance - Larger break rotors and calipers. You need larger diameter wheels to put bigger breaks inside of.

Probably lot more reasons I haven't thought of.