Real world difference between 16" and 18" rims with 31 tires

[Covello]

Hi All,

I'm trying to figure out what kind of wheel/tire set up to get for my 2 dr 1991 G-Wagen.

I'm pretty sure I've settled on 31" tires, but the rims I like come in both 16" and 18".

Research tells me that 16" are obviously better for off-roading, but I'm curious in the actual and tangible real world difference with these two options where I would drive the most:

a) dry California roads
b) Green and Blue off-road trails.


I know more sidewall, more tire is good for when you air down, but I don't plan on doing Rubicon, or John Bull in my G-wagen (or anything else that might cause body damage). So if I'm just doing green and blue trails, would the wheel size make a tangible difference?

This is NOT my DD, it's for camping, off-road, and surf trips.

The other thing to consider is that the 18" are available now, and the 16" are either $2000 now or maybe $1200-$1500 3-6 months from now where I find a decent set.

Thoughts? Any real world experience is helpful!


EDIT:

To be more specific options would be:

18x7.5 @ 31 lbs with 285/60R18
16x7.5 @ 29 lbs with 285/70R16
15x7 @18 lbs with 270/75R15

Likely with Toyo Open Country RT.

 

[Jason911]

Another thing to consider is the enormous selection of tires for the 16 inch wheel. Yes, to all those out there with 18 inch wheels(like me) there are several choices to be had, but the 16 inch still has more choices. And chances are those choices are less costly than the 18 inch variant. As an answer to your edit - I have a LT285/65/18 set of the KO2s. Wonderfully flexy when aired down, a bit rough on the pavement when aired up. And a heavy tire, but your Gelandewagen would certainly do well on them. But they have no rim protectors, my only complaint.
Ultimately, it is your choice, because it is your pocketbook.

 

[Covello]

Thanks for your advice Jason!! I am feeling like the 18" won't make too much of a tangible difference.

My diesel Gelandewagen is going to fight with heavy tires! I think it only pushes 130 hp! But I didn't buy this thing for racing..... or merging onto freeways. ha.

Another thing to consider is the enormous selection of tires for the 16 inch wheel. Yes, to all those out there with 18 inch wheels(like me) there are several choices to be had, but the 16 inch still has more choices. And chances are those choices are less costly than the 18 inch variant. As an answer to your edit - I have a LT285/65/18 set of the KO2s. Wonderfully flexy when aired down, a bit rough on the pavement when aired up. And a heavy tire, but your Gelandewagen would certainly do well on them. But they have no rim protectors, my only complaint.
Ultimately, it is your choice, because it is your pocketbook.

 

[Jason911]

Thanks for your advice Jason!! I am feeling like the 18" won't make too much of a tangible difference.

My diesel Gelandewagen is going to fight with heavy tires! I think it only pushes 130 hp! But I didn't buy this thing for racing..... or merging onto freeways. ha.

My diesel Grand Cherokee has no problems pushing the heavy tires, but it makes 240hp & 420 torque. Saw a loss of 2mpg withe the BFGs. They are a heavy tire.

 

[anickode]

31" isn't that big of a tire... an 18" will by no means put you into a "low profile" category, but that's still not a whole lot of sidewall if you plan on airing down your tires on a regular basis.

 

[rayra]

tire availability, after you shred two.

 

[Wirebrush]

The 16" tires will ride much better. If you are going to spend much time off of smooth pavement at all you will appreciate the softer ride quality from the tire soaking up the little bumps and irregularities instead of transmitting them to the chassis.

 

[rkj__]

18" - Better cornering on paved roads
16" - So much smoother over bumps, both on, and off road. Seriously. Even when not aired down, the difference is significant.

 

[Martinjmpr]

16's are much less expensive. I bought a set of 16" wheels for my Suburban because I can save $200 on a set of the same size wheels over 17" (and I only paid $140 for the wheels.)
.
Am I the only one who thinks it's crazy that the same size tire for a bigger wheel costs more? Wouldn't you think it would cost less, after all, more wheel = less tire?
.
I think it's just because manufacturers are jumping onto the "wagon wheel" trend and putting bigger and bigger wheels on cars that don't need them, because of the way it looks.
.
Can't wait to get rid of my 17s!

 

[comptiger5000]

I think the cost difference comes from the tires for larger wheels being more expensive to produce (more bead area, etc.). 16s and 17s are similar in cost for the most part, 18s and larger are where it really starts to get expensive.

 

[Abe Froman]

16" looks way better than 18"

 

[Covello]

31" isn't that big of a tire... an 18" will by no means put you into a "low profile" category, but that's still not a whole lot of sidewall if you plan on airing down your tires on a regular basis.

So not really effective enough if I want to air down to do blue (not black) trails?

The 16" tires will ride much better. If you are going to spend much time off of smooth pavement at all you will appreciate the softer ride quality from the tire soaking up the little bumps and irregularities instead of transmitting them to the chassis.

i'm not sure how much time I will be spending off road, I would say at most 50/50.

18" - Better cornering on paved roads
16" - So much smoother over bumps, both on, and off road. Seriously. Even when not aired down, the difference is significant.

I don't really care too much about cornering, I'm driving a tank!!



I think the biggest problem is that the 16s cost $2000 for a set and the 18s cost $600 FOR A SET.

I could get 18s, plus tires for less than the cost of the 16" rims. I could actually probably get 5 total 18" rims and tires for the cost of 4 16" rims with no tires.

With that in consideration, am I loosing that Much on 18s!?!

 

[rayra]

wut? prices have inverted? Am I reading that right, 18" crap is CHEAPER?

 

[Wirebrush]

Yeah, that doesn't add up. I've never seen comparable tires for smaller wheels cost more than for larger wheels, much less, three times more.

 

[Covello]

wut? prices have inverted? Am I reading that right, 18" crap is CHEAPER?

it's because the 16" were only available in Europe (and also highly desired amongst enthusiasts) the 18" were standard on stock G500s for a while in the USA, so there's a surplus.

Yeah, that doesn't add up. I've never seen comparable tires for smaller wheels cost more than for larger wheels, much less, three times more.

Talking Wheels when referencing prices!! Not tires!