Alloys Choice SE standard 16's - Will it take the 18''Storms? Please help

[domingo]

Hi all,

I have a Civic 2007 2.2 cdti SE.
Comes with 16'' alloys as standard. I enquired at a local Honda garage today regarding fitting the 18'' Storm alloys. They said that this was not possible because the SE is fitted with 16's as standard and therefore the suspension and steering cannot take the 17'' and 18'' wheel sizes. The 18's are given as an £850 option when purchasing the car but I guess that includes the necessary adjustments to suspension and steering?

Can anyone shed any light on this particluar subject?
The Storms look amazing and I really want to fit them! Any info on the necessary procedure and required mods/parts to achieve this or any fingers pointing in the right direction will be greatly apppreciated.

Cheers

Phil

[Russell 10]

I had 17" sport alloys fitted to my wifes new 1.8 SE when we spec-ed the car up. In the Honda brochure it is shown as a option for the 1.8 SE.

[JoeyF]

I have upgraded my 16" TO 17" after I bought the car, but I dont think 18"s are an option due to suspension bits 'n' bobs.

[domingo]

Thanks guys,

Joey, sounds like youve done what I'm going to do then! 17's it is. Have you had any problems since the change over? What wheels did you go for any pics?

Phil

[JoeyF]

Originally Posted by domingo

Thanks guys,

Joey, sounds like youve done what I'm going to do then! 17's it is. Have you had any problems since the change over? What wheels did you go for any pics?

Phil

Hi Domingo,

Just PM'd you but here is the link to the piccies.

New Shoes

JoeyF

[CrazyHawk]

You can get the Storms in 17". I had the Honda part no., but can't find it any more.

[czechplastik]

You can't fit 18's on a car fitted with 16's as standard. 17's are fine though! The suspension is set up differently.

[domingo]

Thanks to all who have replied! You have stopped me just before I purchased 18's and wasted my cash!!

17's it is then!!!

Anyone know of a decent looking, affordable set of 17's for the Civic? I've been looking at alot! Just thought you guys might have an opinion on it....

Cheers

[Spud]

17" Storms in UK - Group buy?

Take a look at this post - if its 17" Storms your after - this dealer in Dublin can supply.

[domingo]

Nice one! 17'' Storms would be great, and the price ain't to bad either!
May be a good choice, am looking for a set of 17's second hand though if poss, save a bit of cash that way!

[jon711]

I really want 18's on my civic but its on 16's at the moment and it looks like 17's are my only option, what do I need to upgrade so I can fit 18's? I really dont want to just go to 17's!

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by jon711

I really want 18's on my civic but its on 16's at the moment and it looks like 17's are my only option, what do I need to upgrade so I can fit 18's? I really dont want to just go to 17's!

You would need to change the suspension for one with lower travel. Would be costly though

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

You would need to change the suspension for one with lower travel. Would be costly though

Not wanting to disagree with you just for the sake of it CZ - but is this really the case?


I know it's been discussed and chatted about a few times, and general agreement is what you have posted - but my thoughts are as follows:

1) All wheel tyre combos for the Civic end up with the same rolling diameter. Smaller wheels have 'taller' tyres, and vice versa. The only difference is the width of the tyre
2) a Civic with 16" as standard can take 17". 17" can take 18". 18" can take 19"
3) Only the S and the R mention uprated suspension in the spec.


If a 16" model really can't take an 18" wheel, it would mean that whilst building the car, there would have to be a different box of suspension parts, depending on which spec was being built. "This one's an SE - get those bits, this one's an EX - get those"

Surely it would be cheaper / easier to just use 1 big bin of bits, and limit the wheel choice purely as a model designator?
A bit like not being able to add HIDs to various models, even as an option. There is no real reason why you can't - just Honda won't let you.


Just my random thoughts
Feel free to discuss / disagree!


PS - going to wide 19" wheels only recommended on the R, as it does have different suspension, which is possibly there in part to allow the wider wheels not to rub at extreeme turning angles

[baillieswells]

[quote=TTDegs;88515]Not wanting to disagree with you just for the sake of it CZ - but is this really the case?



1) All wheel tyre combos for the Civic end up with the same rolling diameter. Smaller wheels have 'taller' tyres, and vice versa. The only difference is the width of the tyre

This has to be so, or is it? If the external diameter of the tyre changes then the speedo would have to be recalibrated.

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by baillieswells

This has to be so, or is it? If the external diameter of the tyre changes then the speedo would have to be recalibrated.

yes, exactly

Strictly speaking, there is a slight difference in diameter*, but not enough to worry about



*before the maths pedants jump in

[czechplastik]

You win some, you lose some. Was it not Honda themselves that have said that the higher end models are set up differently to accomodate bigger wheels?

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

You win some, you lose some. Was it not Honda themselves that have said that the higher end models are set up differently to accomodate bigger wheels?

LOL - wasn't having a pop CZ, know you were relating what is 'known' in here
Just got me thinking is all!


I think that is was Honda dealers who have said that, possibly as a reason given when customers asked to put 18" on their SE spec Civics...

But I've seen nothing in print anywhere to suggest that the suspension parts are any different...

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by TTDegs

LOL - wasn't having a pop CZ, know you were relating what is 'known' in here
Just got me thinking is all!

I don't care what you think, you're wrong!

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by czechplastik

I don't care what you think, you're wrong!

I think you're great

[domingo]

Originally Posted by jon711

I really want 18's on my civic but its on 16's at the moment and it looks like 17's are my only option, what do I need to upgrade so I can fit 18's? I really dont want to just go to 17's!

Hi Jon,

I've done a fair bit of research since posting this question. I have taken the fact that you can't fit 18's on a factory fitted 16'' model, to be true. Although the above statments are very interesting, I think it'll be a big risk going against the grain (and the manufacturers instructions; although not always to be followed to the letter - see the threads on running in your civic for example) on this one.
Also if you read on into this subject you will find that most people recommend the 17's as opposed to 18's. This is due to the very hard ride you get from the bigger wheel sizes, 18,19 etc.
I wanted the bigger is better look too, but decided against the 18's in the end. I've just bought a great set of Honda 17's from ebay for £200, and they seem mahussive. Not got tyres yet though, so i'm gagging to see them on the car. Choose the right set (with a very thin lip for example) and the wheels will look bigger than they are anyway.

Not sure how much you know about the whole alloy wheel thing, but there are many, many different fitment sizes. I had a wheel off on the weekend to check my new tyreless alloys will fit! (they do, yey!). The standard 16'' alloy measurements are '5x114, 6.5J, et55'. Let me know if you need any info on what all that means.

Photos of new wheels are here -

Phil