Downsizing 18” MV2’s to 17” Style 200

[24057]

Been toying with this idea for a while....

Currently run 225/45/18 front and 245/45/18 rear 18” OEM MV2’s with Michelin PS4 all round, but wondered if I’d benefit from a comfort / NVH perspective if i ‘downgraded’ to 17” OEM style 200’s and ran a square setup (225/45/17) all round with new Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2’s.

Anyone made the switch? Most go upwards in rim size, but that’s not really my style.

So, worth spending the money or will the difference be negligible?

Thanks chaps!!!

 

[TheDan]

I had 17" wheels with a square 225/45/17 setup when I bought my car (they were style 106) and have since changed to MV2s (with 225/40/18) and 245/35/18 tyres) and barely noticed a reduction in comfort/noise.

The biggest difference (improvement this time) has been changing the front and rear shocks and springs.

 

[24057]

I had 17" wheels with a square 225/45/17 setup when I bought my car (they were style 106) and have since changed to MV2s (with 225/40/18) and 245/35/18 tyres) and barely noticed a reduction in comfort/noise.

The biggest difference (improvement this time) has been changing the front and rear shocks and springs.

Thanks Dan, great feedback. Out of curiosity, did you swap the dampers for Bilstein B4’s?


Doing the tyre sidewall calcs, there’s very little difference in comparison to my current setup, so you’re echoing my suspicions

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

Anyone made the switch? Most go upwards in rim size, but that’s not really my style.

I swapped from 18" MV2s to a square setup with 17" 106s. I'd say there's certainly less 'thump' in the ride now, and the tyres are substantially cheaper too (and can be rotated round the car). Personal choice at the end of the day, but works for me.

 

[Anonymous]

I have an E89 so different chassis but with Bilstein B8 shocks and MSport springs and the ride is way best on 17” rather than 18s and no discernible handling detriment.... I have updated ARBs but don’t think that makes an issue either way..

I use an asymmetric setup 235/40 and 255/40

 

[TheDan]

I had 17" wheels with a square 225/45/17 setup when I bought my car (they were style 106) and have since changed to MV2s (with 225/40/18) and 245/35/18 tyres) and barely noticed a reduction in comfort/noise.

The biggest difference (improvement this time) has been changing the front and rear shocks and springs.

Thanks Dan, great feedback. Out of curiosity, did you swap the dampers for Bilstein B4’s?


Doing the tyre sidewall calcs, there’s very little difference in comparison to my current setup, so you’re echoing my suspicions

Yep, Bilstein B4s and Suplex M-Sport springs all round.