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Here are three possible sets of wheels (I have driven them all on my 92 9KT):
A) 16 X 6.5" ET 27 (total wheel width 190 mm, hub-face is 27 mm outboard of the wheel center-line)-stock summers for a 92 9KT-
B) 15 X 6" ET 33 (total wheel width 176 mm, hub-face is 33 mm outboard of the wheel center-line)-stock winters for a 92 9KT-
C) 15 X 5.5" ET 40(total wheel width 167 mm, hub-face is 40 mm outboard of the wheel center-line)-stock for older 900? and ?any 9000?-
Do the math, and you see that these three different widths and offsets all hold the inner edge of the wheel in the same absolute place relative to the suspension components, and result in the outer edge of the wheel being "outboard" exactly the additional width of the wheel. Question is, what's the effect on handling? In my experience the 6.5" wheels give a slower and heavier "understeer" feel, the 6" wheels are about neutral, and the 5.5" wheels give a relatively "light" and responsive feel to the car (different tires on each wheel set, though). All is aligned and in good order. Here's the issue: I'm not sure if those 15 X 5.5" ET 40 wheels belong on a 9000; might there be a bit more rubber on the ground, "inboard" of what the manufacturer intended, compared to "outboard" of the wheel centerline? Would there be any need or point in spacers for the 15 X 5.5" ET 40 wheels on a 9000? (not for clearance, clearly, but for handling and bearing loading. e.g a 7 mm spacer would reduce the offset* to 33 mm, putting the wheel's centerline back where it was with the 15 X 6" ET 33 wheels). Thanks for your thoughts.
*(Incidentally be warned there's contradictory use of the terms "negative offset" and "positive offset" on this bulletin board and elsewhere, so I've avoided them.)
posted by 142.59.10...
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