Alloys Choice 18" Storms - Advice needed urgently

[moocowuk]

Hi - I need some advice, my 6 mth old Civic will be ready for collection either tomorrow or more likely Friday.

The car currently has 18" Storms, but I've been reading on here that people don't like them......the help I need is - should I ask for them to be removed and replaced with just the normal alloys (I mentioned when I first saw the car that I might want to do this) or do you think I could live with them? Are they really that bad?

Thanks in advance - you are all loverly people with very good taste in cars

[czechplastik]

I'd like to know to, I'm thinking of upgrading. I don't want to ask stupid questions but i assume I'll need to buy bigger tyres too?

[Mark996]

I know someone with 17" Storm's who would love to swop with you if you like.....??

The general opinion on here is that the 17" offer better ride and handling, whilst the 18's offer......well, better looks of course!

[czechplastik]

Do the 17" storms actually exist? I thought they might be a Honda myth, They would probably be a good compromise, looking cool and preserving the ride. Any idea on price?

[moocowuk]

Hiya Mark

Don't think I would have a problem swapping!

One little problem though - I'm in London and you don't even seem to be in the UK?

Any ideas? Heheheeheh!

[Pottsy]

Take the 18", try them, and if you don't like them you will make a few quid swapping them on here for sure.

[moocowuk]

Hiya Pottsy!

Do you really think so? I'm sure they cost almost a £1000 or something stupid like that, but to be honest I think I'd rather have comfort. But as you've said I'll get them - I'd rather have them go to a nice Civinfo person than to the Honda dealer who'll probably rip someone off with them!

Thanks for the help!

Is there anyone else that actuually has them? Are they really as bad as people are making out? Or is it all just a matter of taste?

[Mark996]

Well spotted moo, but even though I live in Portugal, I pop back to the UK very often (twice a month), and my Brother lives in Gillingham Kent, so I could bring mine back with me one time.......as 'hand' luggage maybe....!

By the way, yes, the 17's really do exsist.....that'd be them on my car then.....

[TTDegs]

I've got 18" storms - and I love em

bearing in mind that I haven't driven a civ with 17" or 16", and that my previous car was a TT, also with 18" wheels, I don't find the ride too harsh

[moocowuk]

Thanks for that TT

I did have a short test drive with the EX, but wasn't expecting to buy it as it was far too expensive, but basically the dealer cut the price of it by a grand - so I thought - why not, of course not thinking about all the important things like did I notice if there was anything wrong with the car I was in and how did I feel about the 18 inchers! As Pottsy said I'll give them a go and if I don't like them, there's always options of getting them changed on here.

They've just put my collection day back by another day because they've lost the log book - how annoying is that??? But they are giving me a replacement for the day which I don't suppose is that bad really.

[czechplastik]

No 17" storms on Honda-access

[Eutai]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

No 17" storms on Honda-access

Yes there is. http://carconfigurator.vintage.be/co...r_content.html

Select Civic 5 door 1.8l (Base, Sp or whatever) and click on "WHEELS" and it's the fifth wheel from bottom when scrolling down. Part # 08W17-SMG-600B.

[Meino]

I have the 17" storms on my NHB. Ordered them through my official Honda dealer (in the Netherlands). Normally they should cost €400 when exchanging the original wheels, but my dealer gave it as a present for buying the Civic (I would buy it anyway ).
The 18" storms would cost me € 1900 when leaving the original wheels. Unfortunally that was out of budget.
I like the 17" very much, but the 18" look better...

[Trip]

Originally Posted by Meino

I have the 17" storms on my NHB. Ordered them through my official Honda dealer (in the Netherlands). Normally they should cost €400 when exchanging the original wheels, but my dealer gave it as a present for buying the Civic (I would buy it anyway ).
The 18" storms would cost me € 1900 when leaving the original wheels. Unfortunally that was out of budget.
I like the 17" very much, but the 18" look better...

that's weird.. my dealer told me the 17" storms would cost around 1000 €

Who's youre dealer (mine was the one in amsterdam)

[JPDirect]

Hi moocowuk,

I have the 18" Storms and I love 'em! I've driven Civics with the basic alloys on them and 17" alloys.

The basic alloys and the 17's do offer a more comfortable ride, but the 18's offer the owner, envious looks... I went to Tesco's yesterday and there was a mini crowd of people around my car, I thought someone had crashed into it. They were peering in the windows, taking pics beside it, I was shocked! They loved it! I was there talking to them for about 10 minutes and I mentioned THIS site too.

By the way, I paid an extra £800 for my 18" Storm. I can recommend them highly... Your choice though - good luck!

[moocowuk]

Hi JP

Thanks for that! I can't wait to get my hands on the car - I was supposed to get it yesterday, but ended up leaving the dealer in a Jazz!! How wrong is that? They had some problems with their workshop and the couple of little touch up's that need done so gave me a little car to run around in for the meantime.

I suppose my only worry is I live in London, and anyone who lives here knows about the millions of pot holes!! Do you think that'll be a problem - will it feel like the civ is going to roll over and die everytime I drive over one?

I've had 17" alloys on a Lexus and it really didn't like the London roads - it felt like I'd crashed into someone everytime I drove over them!

Mind you I suppose I could live with the firmer drive if everyone loves the look of them! Hehehehehehehh

I'll see how it goes, I've already had some offers from people who'd be interested in them if I don't like them.

Thanks for your help mate!

Dan

[JPDirect]

Originally Posted by moocowuk

Hi JP

Thanks for that! I can't wait to get my hands on the car - I was supposed to get it yesterday, but ended up leaving the dealer in a Jazz!! How wrong is that? They had some problems with their workshop and the couple of little touch up's that need done so gave me a little car to run around in for the meantime.

I suppose my only worry is I live in London, and anyone who lives here knows about the millions of pot holes!! Do you think that'll be a problem - will it feel like the civ is going to roll over and die everytime I drive over one?

I've had 17" alloys on a Lexus and it really didn't like the London roads - it felt like I'd crashed into someone everytime I drove over them!

Mind you I suppose I could live with the firmer drive if everyone loves the look of them! Hehehehehehehh

I'll see how it goes, I've already had some offers from people who'd be interested in them if I don't like them.

Thanks for your help mate!

Dan

Hey Moocowuk,

I live in London too and drive through Central London at least 3 times a week, I've learnt to go around the potholes now. Making sure I look in the mirrors first of course! I had the Accord before this that had the 17" Penta's on there and they were nice, but these 18" Storms are amazing. Especially when they're clean.

[Meino]

Originally Posted by Trip

that's weird.. my dealer told me the 17" storms would cost around 1000 €

Who's youre dealer (mine was the one in amsterdam)

Trip, My dealer is Hensgens Maastricht. Probably the price is €1000, but my dealer told me that he could deliver them to me for €400 when swapping with the original wheels. And if I ordered the car there, he would gave me the wheels, so happened...

You can look at www.hensgens.nl

[lukather101]

I think the other 18's are nicer than the storms thats whats on my car anyway. just think the storms are a bit to dark

[Copycat]

Originally Posted by Meino

Probably the price is €1000, but my dealer told me that he could deliver them to me for €400 when swapping with the original wheels. And if I ordered the car there, he would gave me the wheels, so happened...

What? Not fair.

My dealer said I'd have to pay full price for them if I wanted to replace the originals. And all I got thrown in were mats. Whereabout in the netherlands is this Hensgens-place you speak of? I reckon it's only about a four day trip there and back.