Originally Posted by
gman
TBH, 18's on a TS Astra are not a great idea IMHO. Sure they look really nice, but at the expense of usability and handling...
You don't really need the extra room for brakes, the tyres you will get to fit under the guards on an 18 are going to make the ride harsher and handling worse, 18's will increase the unpsrung weight and affect the handling again. I had 18's (they came on the car when I bought it new) and they looked great, but the 215/35/18 tyres were a pain, the rims were always getting damaged and the handling was OK but not great.
I now run 17's with various size tyres. 215/45/17 (racing slicks), 225/45/17 (AD08's, R888 & NT01) & 235/40/17 (NT01). All are much better than the 18's, its easier to get decent tyres and my 330mm brakes fit under the 17's with no problems...