6.5" or 7" wide wheels

[mike]

Recently i have been thinking about the width of the alloys fitted to the car. I currently have 7" wide alloys but was considering swapping to 6.5" wide alloys.

As far as i can see the benefits and disadvatages of each are;

7" wide alloys benefits

• More grip in dry conditions
• Aesthetics do not concern me, but they are
  
• Slightly fill the arches more
• Sidewalls are straight and do not bulge

7" wide alloys disadvantages

• More prone to tramlining that 6.5" alloys
• Increase in drag
• More strain put on the engine to turn the wheels
• More prone to aquaplaning than 6.5" alloys
• Tyres may catch on arch

------------------------------------------------

6.5" wide alloys benefits

• Less prone to Aquaplaning compare to 7" wide alloys
• Less prone to tramlining compared to 7" wide alloys
• Will cause less clearence issues with the arch compared to 7" wide alloys
• As the contact patch is slightly less it makes it easier to turn the steering wheel.

6.5" wide alloys disadvantages

• Smaller contact patch
• Slightly less grip in dry conditions
• Again aesthetics do not concern me but they are;
  
• Do not fill the arches as much as 7" wide alloys
• Sidewalls will bulge out slightly

 

[K11_Dave]

Had 7 x 16 OZ rims before now, was hard to keep the things going straight! Every bump was a nightmare

Got 6 x 15 compomotives now, much better for handling and turning - lot less scary situations now :laugh:

 

[Davey C]

6.5 IMO