[ST1LE]

What are you talking about man? Batman says enough with your false equivalencies. This thread isn't about why Race Cars wear different rubber than Street Cars.

You stated it was a recent fad, I just pointed out that it was neither.

Let's get back to soft ZL1 and BMW rims so I can see if this is something I need to address when I upgrade next year.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by JB'sZL1

Hah. Well, that's you're prerogative. You say ugly: I say there's nothing prettier than 17" Welds w/ Hoosiers.

Btw: I don't know how old you are, but low profile tires is a new fad. I've seen plenty of early 70's cars w/ 22" wheels and super low profile tires...no taste. But I understand that can be a matter of opinion.

Go back way further and low profile tires were de-facto. The 70's were a few decades into the "high profile" phase that started roughly in the 40's, which is of course half a century into the history of the automobile. The car that put America on wheels had decidedly low-profile tires. If any car has a right to put its stamp on rule making, the Model T is right at the top.



We're now deep into the 4th decade of the benefits of low profile tires being realized again, the first "modern" low profile put into production being the Pirelli P7 back in 1975. Is 40+ years with no realistic indication of relinquishing dominance [stylistically or technically], really a "fad"?

[Vtor_ZL1]

Wagon wheel fad is more result of designers making cars look more and more cartonish. I get trying to clear big brakes, but to go big for look at detriment of customer long term ownership cost.. SUCKS.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by Vtor_ZL1

Wagon wheel fad is more result of designers making cars look more and more cartonish. I get trying to clear big brakes, but to go big for look at detriment of customer long term ownership cost.. SUCKS.

Are you guys trying to be intentionally dense? Nobody forced you to buy a high performance sports car, and maintaining that you're the victim whilst ramming into every road hazard without consequence is sheer lunacy.

Pay attention and take responsibility for your behavior.

[JB'sZL1]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

Go back way further and low profile tires were de-facto. The 70's were a few decades into the "high profile" phase that started roughly in the 40's, which is of course half a century into the history of the automobile. The car that put America on wheels had decidedly low-profile tires. If any car has a right to put its stamp on rule making, the Model T is right at the top.



We're now deep into the 4th decade of the benefits of low profile tires being realized again, the first "modern" low profile put into production being the Pirelli P7 back in 1975. Is 40+ years with no realistic indication of relinquishing dominance [stylistically or technically], really a "fad"?

Well, to go back to the Model T is a bit off topic: they had very few compounds and profiles back then.

I think you're missing the point: a low profile tire on a muscle or sports car is a compromise. It is not the best for drag or track, and on bad roads it can cause damage to the wheel to the unwary driver. Let's not pretend it is the best at anything, because it is not. Although it can be a decent track setup, it is severely flawed for drag (or just hooking) and on point: severely limited for average roads and streets. Meaning one can damage the wheel if not careful. That's all I'm saying. It is otherwise a good compromise.

[Lowflight]

I have been driving cars with Low profile tires since 1991 with my first Corvette with 17 inch wheels. BMW M3 E92, F10M5, GTR, C7Z06, C6Z06, etc etc...

this one's wheels are more susceptible to damage. I have experience going back to 1991 to know. I got it repaired. I will be more careful from here on out.

[PorkchopExpress]

I've driven plenty of cars with low profile tires... and crushed almost all of them... haha

Seriously, if I had my way (but I don't, because I spent a lot on the car, and my wife owns my ass), I'd drop a size and pick up some more rubber.

My morning coffee is too precious to end up on my shirt!

[Oil Man]

I've been pleasantly surprised at the resilience of the stock wheels so far.

I've had at least two moments already where I hit potholes hard on the overused, truck-battered roads at the port where I work, and was convinced I had cracked/bent a wheel, only to examine them and find no damage.

I did crack a rear wheel running over some sort of tool/rod that I couldn't avoid on the freeway in my SS. But those wheels were not forged.

[Rock_n_Rolla]

I bounce curbs hard at Sebring and VIR with the stock wheels. you definitely hit something.

[Fraxum]

19s make more sense than 20s, IMO.