Anyone upgraded from stock 16s to 18s? How was it?

[BarracksSi]

Just switched from my 16" winter set on steel rims back to the stock 18s.

The steel setup was lighter, too, something like 3 lbs per wheel (215/55-16 Pirellis on 16x6.5 steel rims: 45 lbs; reported OEM 18x8s w/ 235/40: 48 lbs).

The 18s hit harder on cracks and seams. Generally, the ride seems the same, but the same sharp pavement cracks I drive over every day make me wince more when the car is on 18s. The sidewall is about an inch shorter on the 235/40-18s (~8.1" vs 9.1"), which is more than a 10% reduction in cushioning, too.

Maybe turn-in is sharper and maybe there's less squidginess in turns, but daily driving with traffic on public roads isn't stressful enough to find the difference.

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[W1NTER]

Just switched from my 16" winter set on steel rims back to the stock 18s.

The steel setup was lighter, too, something like 3 lbs per wheel (215/55-16 Pirellis on 16x6.5 steel rims: 45 lbs; reported OEM 18x8s w/ 235/40: 48 lbs).

The 18s hit harder on cracks and seams. Generally, the ride seems the same, but the same sharp pavement cracks I drive over every day make me wince more when the car is on 18s. The sidewall is about an inch shorter on the 235/40-18s (~8.1" vs 9.1"), which is more than a 10% reduction in cushioning, too.

Maybe turn-in is sharper and maybe there's less squidginess in turns, but daily driving with traffic on public roads isn't stressful enough to find the difference.

Thanks for the insights.

This 10% reduced cushioning can be translated to a 10% faster wear in suspension components then? Or nothing to worry if I only plan to keep it for 5-7 years?

I think I'm fine with the slightly bumpier ride .

 

[BarracksSi]

Thanks for the insights.

This 10% reduced cushioning can be translated to a 10% faster wear in suspension components then? Or nothing to worry if I only plan to keep it for 5-7 years?

I think I'm fine with the slightly bumpier ride .

Nothing to worry about if you're only keeping it for 5-7 years. I think heavier wheels add to suspension wear, but surely Honda had these in mind during the car's development.

 

[a c i d.f l y]

Last time I rotated my tires on my '18 Civic EX I weighted my stock 16" wheel and tire. Total weight was 43.5 lbs.

Was that with the Firestone tires? Mine ranged between 45 and 46 with <400mi.

 

[W1NTER]

I am going from the stock 16s to 18x8.5 I am most likely going with Enkei TY-5 wheels they look great and Enkei has a good reputation

I think most Honda wheels are made by Enkei. Please do update us on the changes you'll notice when you go 18s.

 

[Dying2Live]

Did anyone going from 16 to 18 have to get alignment? For the 2017 Accord when I went from stock 17 to 19 it made my car drive weird. Honda uses different alignment specs for Accords with 17 wheels and 18+ wheels. Front suspension between Accord and Civic look very similar

 

[Viper]

Hi! Same question here. My Civic is also with the 1.8L R18 with the current CVT. There are mainly two options in my country (Pakistan) as under:
Civic 1.8L Oriel with crappy 215/55-R16 tires and Civic RS Turbo (1.5T) with 215/50-R17 setup.
Suspension components used in both vehicles bear the same part numbers. I want to size up to 18" wheels whilst one trim is already in production with the 17" wheels/tires setup as above. This is a daily driver. The roads are not something to brag about either.
What should be the optimum width, off-set of the wheels and profile(s) of the tires to consider so as to put minimum effect on the ride quality/ suspension longevity.
P.S: Fuel economy is not a major issue here

 

[Viper]

I'm alternating from my 19" setup and my stock 18"s and the 18s ride great. If you use stock tire profiles (235/40Zr18) you will not have any issues. The ride is sporty, and responsive. again, avoid rep wheels.

Your Civic must have a suspension with adaptive damping if I'm not wrong. What about the 18" wheels on a basic base model sedan trim? Any ideas?

 

[arpypat]

Hi! Same question here. My Civic is also with the 1.8L R18 with the current CVT. There are mainly two options in my country (Pakistan) as under:
Civic 1.8L Oriel with crappy 215/55-R16 tires and Civic RS Turbo (1.5T) with 215/50-R17 setup.
Suspension components used in both vehicles bear the same part numbers. I want to size up to 18" wheels whilst one trim is already in production with the 17" wheels/tires setup as above. This is a daily driver. The roads are not something to brag about either.
What should be the optimum width, off-set of the wheels and profile(s) of the tires to consider so as to put minimum effect on the ride quality/ suspension longevity.
P.S: Fuel economy is not a major issue here

If you move to 18s, then get 235/40r18. That is the recommended tire size for OEM 18x8 +50 wheels that come on the Si and Sport models in other countries.

 

[Viper]

If you move to 18s, then get 235/40r18. That is the recommended tire size for OEM 18x8 +50 wheels that come on the Si and Sport models in other countries.

Unfortunately, the widely available tire size is 225/40-R18 or 225/45-R18 and there was a noticeable difference in weight of both.

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