Are 19s ok?

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28 November 2009
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Ok so i get that it is important to have the right wheel setup on the NSX as it's unsprung weight etc.

But why are 19's seen as a no no usually? is it the size or is it they normally weigh more? Surely 1" would make much different as from a size prospective as you would run a lower profile making it still similar size of a 18" rim with a bigger profile tyre.

So is it a weight thing why 19s are a bit of a no no?


Ok lets say i could find a 19x10" rim which is lighter or about the same weight as the stock 17" rim would that be ok? or still a problem cos its a 19" rim.

Also i guess bigger rim means bigger tyre which weighs more than the smaller one would on a stock rim.

Can someone explain this a little more please. The above are my own thoughts i am thinking along the right lines? put me right where needed.. Just trying to understand how it works.

As ideally i would like a 18/19 setup but if it really matters of course i will go for a 17/18 setup. I want my car looking how i want but i am also ver performance driven.
 
Even if you find 18/19" setup that has less rotational mass and unsprung weight than the 17/18, you will need to consider that for the crappy roads the sidewalls that 17/18 offers makes it a perfect blend of looks and performance.

Unless all u care about is looks and driving in a straight line on baby-butt smooth surface........
 
18/19 setup just get a truck and get 24's and if you like the staggered looked get the truck and put 23's in the front and 24's in the rear. while doing 30mph you Odometer will probably read 90mph.

I dont think the NSX was designed for rims that make the cars front bumper meet perfectly with the front bumper of a Hummer. its a sports car not a truck. I think 17/18 setup is the max.

But in the end, your life is in your hands. and its your car you do what you like.

but if you take a corner at 45 you might rip the rubber right off the tire and slide into the wall.

my 2 cents keep the oem's or go up one more size, per rim
 
18/19 setup just get a truck and get 24's and if you like the staggered looked get the truck and put 23's in the front and 24's in the rear. while doing 30mph you Odometer will probably read 90mph.

I dont think the NSX was designed for rims that make the cars front bumper meet perfectly with the front bumper of a Hummer. its a sports car not a truck. I think 17/18 setup is the max.

But in the end, your life is in your hands. and its your car you do what you like.

but if you take a corner at 45 you might rip the rubber right off the tire and slide into the wall.

my 2 cents keep the oem's or go up one more size, per rim


Is this a joke or are you just trying to be dramatic?
 
...my 2 cents keep the oem's or go up one more size, per rim...

So, if he has a 91-93 NSX, he should max out at 16" front and 17" rear? And if he has a 94-01 NSX he should max out at 17/18? And if he has a 02+, he should max out at 18/18? Or did you mean to say don't go bigger than 17/18. I'm trying to understand your suggestion to him while reading through the dramatic "sliding into a wall" tone in your post.
 
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This has been a heated conversation amongst NSXers for a while. The key points are as follows:

1. Aesthetics
2. Unsprung Weight
3. Damage to rims based on low side wall profile
4. Selection of tires

Of the above

1. Is subjective either way, I personally like 18/19's on an NSX and can think of a few that look great, part of that depends on the rim chosenm that said I have 17/18's but have contemplated 18/19's, tires may be an issue.

2. Based on performance and you already mentioned that in your above posts.

3. This may depend on where you live, a place with bad roads and a lot of potholes will not be as forgiving on 18/19's as 17/18's. Florida to me generally has pretty good roads, I can think of some places up north or even in the south where I would not want 18/19's.


At the end of the day the choice is a personal one and only you can weigh in on how important the above things are to you and in what order.
Alternatively you could get 17/18 rims that have the look of 18/19's, the Advan RS's come to mind and the former Advan 5's which are unfortunately no longer around the T5's just arent' as good looking to me.
 
don't forget there are those who run 19/20 also.
 
Id say 17/18 is the best compromise between performance and aesthetics like mentioned. Really comes down to what the vehicle is used and built for. 18/19 combos look amazing, which if thats what you are after by all means go for it.

I personally feel 17/18 still looks good enough to rock for aesthetic purposes without reducing performance. Although 18/19 advan RZ's are calling my name :cool:
 
Well I have had a "couple" sets of wheels on the NSX and I can say that while there are some advantages to 17/18 (comfort, handling, less chance for rim damage) I really like the look of the 18/19, I really think it makes the car look "up to date" - and really the handling is probably still above what most people would need even on a track - as long as you run good tires (trouble is, there are a lot of crappy tires available in 18/19), I would choose michelin ps2, goodyear F1 asymmetric, pirelli nero - in that order.

That being said, I also like the look of 19/20's but only for show , they are not practical at all.
 
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What about widebodied cars?

Even for widebody just seems to sketchy to drive on unless its a trailor queen. 19's alone can be bent easily even if your roads arent too bad, only takes one pot hole. Noticed on my rears due to the extreme camber the inside of the rim is bent in a few places :frown:
 
As ideally i would like a 18/19 setup but if it really matters of course i will go for a 17/18 setup. I want my car looking how i want but i am also ver performance driven.

I just went through this very same dilemna. I had a 17/18 setup and was pleased with both the looks and performance. I always liked the looks of the 18/19 setup and believe they help modernize the look of the car. My concerns were road conditions more than anything else. In the end, I decided to go with the 18/19's and am happy with my decision.

I notice the acceleration is a little less responsive and the ride is a little harsher. I'm getting my KW's installed so hopefully the ride quality gets a little better after proper tuning. As far as the acceleration goes, I can live with that for now. It's not like I can drive all that fast anyway and dodge potholes at the same time.
 
Even if you find 18/19" setup that has less rotational mass and unsprung weight than the 17/18, you will need to consider that for the crappy roads the sidewalls that 17/18 offers makes it a perfect blend of looks and performance.

Unless all u care about is looks and driving in a straight line on baby-butt smooth surface........

This says it all....I bent my 18 front in the past. I'm sticking with 17/18 setup for good.
 
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I guess you need to buy wheels with the intended purpose in mind , I hear what people say about 18/19 , to me it's almost like saying:

"I bought an NSX and the darn thing sucks on my favorite off-road trail"

If you have 18/19 wheels you will avois rough roads, go slow over bumps,etc.

If you don't want to worry about it , get 17/18.

If you really have rough roads, stay with 16/17 - or even 15/16...
 
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