17" to 15" wheels

[Old Mike Emerson]

Who has gone from 17" to 15" wheels? I want to know the good, the bad and the ugly. My car came with 15" OZ Ultra Lagarea's, So I have never had the 17" wheels. I think the lil beast handles great, but like I've said I never experienced the handling of the 17"

 

[kivnul]

17” will feel a little more planted but will be much harsher on rough surfaces and most likely a little slower to accell/decel (depending on weight)


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[SteveS]

Steering response is much sharper on the 205/40-17s. Harshness of ride is the tradeoff for that.

 

[Magnetic]

Following

 

[Old Mike Emerson]

I can get the OZ's in 17" they weigh 17lbs, still lighter than stock, the wheels a lone would add 20lbs. of unsprung weight not counting the bigger tires. Now I'm curious, I'll have go weigh my car. See what it really weighs.

 

[Negi]

I sold my stock 17s within 3 months of owning them.Running 15s since 3k miles.At 18k now.The 17s were just too harsh for my Old Ass lol

 

[CSM]

15 inch wheels:

• Pros:
  • Reduced unsprung weight for wheels + tires, can help with accel
  • Cheaper tires
  • softer ride
  • can run wider tires with less rubbing than larger diameter wheels
• Cons:
  • reduced turn-in response due to softer sidewall
  • shorter gearing (IMO not really a con for most situations other than autocross as you'll tag the rev limiter more during a course)
  • Throws off speedometer
  • can't run most big brake kits under 15" wheel

17 inch wheels:

• Pros:
  • Looks better than 15s (subjective I know, but my opinion)
  • Better turn in response
  • Can run most if not all big brake kits
• Cons:
  • Tire sizes are limited (pretty much restricted to 205/40 or 215/40 on stock fenders)
  • Heavier / more unsprung weight
  • can't run most big brake kits under 15" wheels

 

[CSM]

I like to think 16 inch wheels are a good compromise between the two

 

[ronmcdon]

One con of 16s, and not that its an issue for the majority of us, is that that it's harder to find rubber wider than 225 that would fit.

15s and 17s you can get good 245 rubber choices and I wonder if 15x9s running 245 rubber would be the ultimate combo performance wise for a more track focused car.

otherwise agreed 16s are the best compromise and enjoying my 16x8 w 225, 200tw rubber. Did not really notice any sacrifice w turn in response going from oem wheels to my 16s in +38 offset

 

[Magnetic]

I sold my stock 17s within 3 months of owning them.Running 15s since 3k miles.At 18k now.The 17s were just too harsh for my Old Ass lol

Coilovers help the ride quality a lot. I have 17's and once they were installed the ride was much much better.

 

[Jabbit]

One con of 16s, and not that its an issue for the majority of us, is that that it's harder to find rubber wider than 225 that would fit.

15s and 17s you can get good 245 rubber choices and I wonder if 15x9s running 245 rubber would be the ultimate combo performance wise for a more track focused car.

otherwise agreed 16s are the best compromise and enjoying my 16x8 w 225, 200tw rubber. Did not really notice any sacrifice w turn in response going from oem wheels to my 16s in +38 offset

What tires are you running on your 16x8 wheels?

 

[ronmcdon]

running the dunlop z3s in 225/45/16 i believe