16's or 17's

[SuperProtege5]

Right now I'm running the stock 16's on the stock ride height. I going to upgrade in the future and when I do I was wondering which size wheel to go with. My suspension will consist of Tokico Illuminas and Eibach Pro-Kit springs. Here's my feelings on each size:

16's
- I know for sure they fit without rubbing
- Some decent choices for wheels
- Better for autocross

17's
- Possible rubbing, depends on tire size and size of drop
- More choices for wheels
- Unknown about autocross

As you can see, my main concerns are ride comfort, autocrossing, and tire rubbing. Rolling the fenders is not high on things I want to do to the car.

Thanks for the help!
Brian Z.

 

[aMaff]

15"s

 

[ProtoType5]

16's have a better ride...More rubber=softer ride.....I still like my stock rims...Considering painting them, but probably just stay with the stock ones.

 

[Mike R]

17's suck, ride poorly wheels can be bent easily, not great for auto-x.

I'm running stock wheels with 205/55/16 Azenis, the car rides great and handles better than it ever did with the 17x7.5 Rota Subzeros with 215/40/17's.

 

[NVP5White]

17's suck, ride poorly wheels can be bent easily, not great for auto-x.

I'm running stock wheels with 205/55/16 Azenis, the car rides great and handles better than it ever did with the 17x7.5 Rota Subzeros with 215/40/17's.

I second everything Mike said. Plus I'll add there is the opportunity to look stock with lighter 16" rims and keep attention away from the auto-x course to a minimum.

 

[SuperProtege5]

so then what lighter 16 inch wheel do you recommend?

 

[FinalResort]

i would like to know to what rims to use for autocross <-- is a noob to autocross ... i have never seen a event but seeing the pictures looks like fun. so i dont have to go blow my car at the drag strip.. so j/w what are the best rims for autocross

 

[Canecreekfreak]

I'm actually pretty surprised that 100% chose 16's so far, since so many people are running 17's and even 18's. Honestly, I went with 17" wheels with 205/40 tires and now wish I hadn't. The sidewall is waaaay too short, and as a result I've bent and dented 2 of the wheels pretty badly. At least cosmetically badly. They still roll without vibrations, but they look awful.
I just ordered a set of 16" Rota GT3's this week, which I expect to have next week. The stock tire size I got for them should keep me from banging them up like the 17's currently on the car.
My suggestion- if one does decide to get 17, make sure it has the sidewall to help protect your rim. (205/40/17's do NOT)

As for light 16's- go Rota Slipstream's or Subzero's. I went with the GT3 even though they're a little heavier because I think they look cooler.

 

[-pixy-]

17's, 18's are great for looks, but they aren't practical.

 

[-pixy-]

15"s

i want 15's

 

[FinalResort]

im looking for some 15s right now for autocross but dont really know what im looking for anyone want to help me?! lol

 

[mickeyreategui]

18's

 

[Robot Romeo]

17s just look so good. It balances out the look of the car perfectly. I'm running a 215/40-17 and I don't feel much difference over the 205/50-16 I was using on my stock wheels. So no loss in comfort for me.

 

[rednecks_r_us]

5-zigen. My tires weigh more than double of what my rim weighs and my tires are only 22lbs each according to NITTO.

 

[Black_Protege_5]

the 5zigens are awesome. But there is also the Rota Slipstreams and subzeros in 16x7

 

[toucci]

5-zigen. My tires weigh more than double of what my rim weighs and my tires are only 22lbs each according to NITTO.

so you're below 33 lbs per mounted tire/wheel? How much below? (omg)

 

[rednecks_r_us]

5-Zigen FN01RC track edition 16X7 weighing in at 8 lbs each according to Discount Tire.

They were a flat black but I painted them gloss black with blue mica to match my hood, roof, grilles, valve cover & racing stripe.

 

[CTt3P5]

My vote for 16's is in.

I have been looking for 17's ever since I bought the car but when it came down to it, 17's are nice for looks but I am sticking to 16's for daily driver use.

 

[FinalResort]

yeah im looking at some 16 the 5zigen. like what red neck posted

 

[ZoominMX-5]

As someone whos big into autocrossing, but as well as looking good on the street...

I say both 15's, and 16's

The 15's will be a lot better for autocross (lighter, more tire choices, blah blah blah). And you can get a lightweight set of 15's for dirt cheap. Most cost effective choice ive ever found are Konig Heliums. 15x6.5 and 11.5 lbs if my memory serves me correct. Best part? They look damn good, and are 85/wheel at www.good-win-racing.com (but they only stock 4x100 i believe)

16's will have a nice balance of looks and functionality on the street.