squared vs staggered tires and wheels

[Grintch]

So I am researching to death my summer wheels/tires purchase, sorry to the poory vendors on this site who are being awesome in helping me And still have some questions about the various setups.

I am looking to get a close to flush setup. Looking at 19" wheels. Trying to decide on rim and tire widths.

1. Staggered wheels. Is it only possible to get a flush setup with staggered wheels? Can the same be almost achieved with a staggered tire setup on the same size wheel? Like 255 front 275 rear on a 9.5 wheel?

2. Are there disadvantages to staggered setups vs square?

3. Is it better to stagger the wheels and tires? Or can staggering just the tires be similar?

4. Which is better for a street only daily driver where best handling is preferred?

A flush setup is mainly about offset. Does not require staggerd wheels/tires.

Square setups can be rotated to extend tire life, they also reduce understeer. And probably will be a bit cheaper. Staggerd allow for a wider rear tire, which helps get the power down. In theory, a modified suspension could probably make use of the wider rear tire to provide more overall grip (without additional understeer).

Staggering just the wheel (same size tires) or just the tire (different size/offset wheels) is probably the worst option. As you give up some of the advanatges of a square setup, without getting all of the advanatges of a good staggered setup.

For street or stockish suspension (FS Autocross) I would go square. For a more modified car, with maybe some track use (or ESP Autocross) I would probably try to maximize my footprint with a staggered setup.

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[Need4SpeedMotors]

allow me a crack at the questions also guys, yall cant have all the fun now.

1. You can obtain a flush fitment with any staggered wheel setup aslong as the offsets are proper for that fitment ( EX. if the 19x9 offset is a 40 preset then it wont be flush, if it is a 25 then it is flush), same can be done with tires you can run the same size rim front and rear and run a staggered tire setup like I did on Mr. Bears M590 setup with a 285/305 tire combo.

2. The difference between a staggered and square is the following. If you wheels are the same size and same offset with the same size tires paired with it ( square setup) then you can rotate the tires front to rear which in turn provides a longer treadlife, on staggered setups you cannot do the rotation.

3. This is your personal choice no one can answer this for you, but we can provide suggestions based on your style of driving, how much you drive and what your ultimate goals are in aesthetics for the vehicle.

4. This is a subjective question for instance I like wide beefy rim and tire setups for my cars, but there are members who prefer a staggered wheel and tire combo for daily driving.


Side Note: read the whole thread and the question of spacers came up, now in regards to that depending on the design of the wheel the grease cap sits further up then usual which causes the cap to not fit right, the solution in the case of Forgestar wheels is a high raised cap ( nothing insane but it works) no spacers needed, in the case of some AG wheels you can have high raised caps made instead of using a spacer but they charge additional for that but that resolves the spacer needed situation as well.

 

[marjen]

So the only disadvantage to a staggered setup is you cant rotate the tires and possibly some understeer?

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

So the only disadvantage to a staggered setup is you cant rotate the tires and possibly some understeer?

Yes

 

[Grintch]

And costs a bit more and adds a bit more unsprung, rotating weight (the worst kind).

Probably looks better, forget if that has been mentioned as a pro for a staggered setup.

 

[marjen]

So I finally made my decision. I went with a staggered 19x8.5 ET35 19x9.5 ET40 staggered wheel. I will most likely go 255 and 275 on the tires. If the fronts need to come out a little I will do a 5mm spacer.

I currently have 19x8.5 ET35 all the way around on 245s for winter and they are more aggressive than stock. I think I will get it close to what I want. After that I will probably go for a mild drop. Now I need the damn monitors to get released!

Here is the wheel I went with.

At this point I am probably going with Bridgestone Potezza S-04s for the tires as they are pretty damn cheap at Costco this month.

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

Best of luck to you brotha, they are sexy wheels remind me of the GF9 and M310 in a way.

Post up images when you get them on the ride im sure a lot of us want to see how she looks man !

 

[marjen]

Will do Paul, thanks for all your help.

 

[Need4SpeedMotors]

Will do Paul, thanks for all your help.

Your welcome brotha like i said regardless it was about u getting the wheel you desire and that your happy overall man. Me helping was cuz its the least i can do brotha.

 

[Cascadia_302]

I recommend Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 for daily street driving. Wider range of operation temperature, be able to handle light snow, and it last forever with 45000 tread warranty. The dry grip is actually better than summer only PZero. Pilot super Sport is also a good choice if you want summer only tire, I believe the tread warranty on that is 30k miles.

I second the Pilot Sport A/S mention. Wet weather grip is excellent for an A/S tire.

 

[Sterling Archer]

So the only disadvantage to a staggered setup is you cant rotate the tires and possibly some understeer?

I think you should be careful when talking in absolutes, but yes those are two of the more prominent downsides.

On the flipside, you could be a baller and rotate your tires anyways. Not only would it look hilarious, but you'd probably also get some oversteer :ford:.

 

[Grintch]

So I finally made my decision. I went with a staggered 19x8.5 ET35 19x9.5 ET40 staggered wheel. I will most likely go 255 and 275 on the tires. If the fronts need to come out a little I will do a 5mm spacer.

I currently have 19x8.5 ET35 all the way around on 245s for winter and they are more aggressive than stock. I think I will get it close to what I want. After that I will probably go for a mild drop. Now I need the damn monitors to get released!

Here is the wheel I went with.

At this point I am probably going with Bridgestone Potezza S-04s for the tires as they are pretty damn cheap at Costco this month.

Would the 19x9.5's not fit up front? The offset & width shouldn't be a problem, and no advantage to a staggered setup until the wheels & tires get wide enought that fitment up front is hard (over 10" and 285mm).

 

[Daytona Coupe]

I was thinking the same thing. I was wondering what the 9.5s would look like up front. I may have to rotate them and see.

 

[marjen]

I got concerned that the 9.5s would not fit up front. I was looking at similar style wheel, the AG M310 and was told the 9.5s would not fit without a 5mm spacer, due to the center cap not fitting. I did not want to run spacers so I changed to the 8.5s at the last minute.

However when the wheels arrive I might try a test fit of the 9.5 wheel and if it fits with no issue, I might send the 8.5s back and get 9.5s. I would be out shipping both directions, but it might be worth. I probably should have just taken a shot at it.

 

[JmalB]

Any update on this? I wanted to go to a squared set up and thought a set of PP rears would fit up front. The center cap issue sounds odd.

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