Can 15" wheels on an S13 look GOOD?

[adey]

I'm looking into getting rims for my car and fancy the look of 17s and 16s. In fact, I prefer the 16" look, but some rims I like only come (in stock) in 17" (eg. Volkracing Gram lights) and 17s look better if you can't have a <2" drop. Or so I think.
however, rims that are 15" seem significantly cheaper and available in many more places (i.e. tire rack) than others.

More precisely, you can gete Kosei K1s (Buddy Club P1s) at Tirerack.com for 149/wheel (or so) in 15", which is a bloody good deal for Buddy Club wheels.

My question (request) now is for photos of cars with 15" rims (not steelies) that are lowered, so I can assess the way it looks, and determine if the looks/price benefit is great enough to go with 15s rather than 16s.

Anyway. photos? please? and opinions. thanks.

[KiDyNomiTe]

In my book 17s are the biggest you should go, 18s are exceptional but I don't want too big of rims. 17 is more of the medium. 16s are giid too, but 15s seem too small for me, but I am sure they might look good. Most people get 17s, and most new cars come with 17s now. So I would say get 17s but if you are on a limited budget get the 15s, as long as you think they look nice. I dont think I have any pics of 15s on cars, but I will look.

[SR20Fastback]

You should just comprimise. Dont get the 17's and dont get the 15's. Get 16's <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> It cant be that hard to save the maybe like 20-30 extra bucks per rim, so I say save up.

[240sxtreme]

I think 16's are perfect if you want performance over looks....but 17's are acceptable if you want a little bit more look.

*edit* this is my opinion based on what I've heard and conversed with other people who track race and such...so for what it's worth.

[sykikchimp]

I'm pretty sure most of the Jap cars you see with the mesh wheels are 15".

[240sxtreme]

disclaimer---I'm not arguing with you sykikchimp...

I agree with the 15's in Japan thing...although, most of those are drifting...where you would want smaller to increase wheelspin-ability (new word!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> I figured he was talking about actual road racing and suck...

I think if you go to the streets and such where they are highway battling and road racing(not drifting)...I think you'd see more 16-17...in fact from what I've seen in vids and mags, 17-18 seems to be most popular for that....but those are mostly skylines, supras, FD's, etc....I still think s13/s14's should stick with 15, 16, 17's...


but...I didn't orginally read the whole post I guess...cause I missed where you asked for pictures...my 92 is lowered on H&R sport springs...with the original 15 wheel and 60 profile tire. my website is www.dawnandrobert.com...click on "robert's site"
http://www.dawnandrobert.com/fullsize.jpg

[SR20Fastback]

I like the beach setting background. Where you from?

[240sxtreme]

Portland, Oregon...it was taken by Newport.

(thanks for the compliment BTW) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

also...not being a smartass or anything...but...check out the profile button...hehe &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[Goy091]

hmm 16's are nice but dont have that great a tire selection.
17's are nice, but perforamce wise? i dont know Nissan specs for rim and tire, but comming from Honda/Acura ppl a 15in wheel is good. 16 is good, 17 is pushin 18+ bleh...

btw wuts the stock Nissan tire/wheel combo?

[adey]

Stock size on our S13s are 195/60/15 if I'm not mistaken. "sport" (SE) models came with 205/55/15. I'm currently rnning 205/50/15 FM-901s on my stock steelies, and am eager to get some nice rims after the coils go in.

I am swaying away from 17s due to the prices of tires as well as price of rims, and would LOVE to get 16s. My problem is that you can't get Kosei K1s in 16" size at tirerack.com (who have a great price on the 15"s-- which is why I'm looking at them) ... so if anyone can post a link to someone who carry buddy club/volkracing/SSR/Advan/Watanabe in good 16" prices, please do so. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

And yes, I'm aware that 15" is a v. good size for hondas, but I'm under the impression that S13s would benefit from a slightly larger wheel, hence my ideal 16" rims.
Anyway.

thanks for the comments!

EDIT: the reason why I'm looking for CHEAP rims (but quality rims to) is because I'm about to plop a pile down for coilovers, and can't quite afford a good set of 16s unless I find a great deal on them -- hence the 15" Kosei K1s @ tirerack.com.

[rancid240]

you seem to be pretty much set on the koseis, so i say get those. &nbsp;if you go to a bigger size, you might not have the $$ to get the style you want and will have to settle for less.

[HaLo]

This may not help, but I'm running 15"s on my S13:

http://www.npclub.com/oktay/after.gif

[NismoGear5]

you should get the kosei rims. Cheap.

I got some japanese 15's for $300. looks nice and can't wait to put them on.

[adey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (HaLo @ July 13 2002,06:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This may not help, but I'm running 15"s on my S13:

http://www.npclub.com/oktay/after.gif</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
HaLo, thanks for the photo. It's good to finally see someone lowered w/ 15s. What kind of suspension do you have, and how many inches is it dropped (roughly)? I'm liking the wing and the DRLs.

As for the Koseis, I'm not bent on them -- it's just they're damn cheap (or seem to be) for what I'm getting. I would really really love to get somthing in a 16" flavor, but the 15s might have to do for now.
FWIW, I'd ideally have a set of 16" SSR Meshs, and then another set of 16" Volk GT-A, TE-37, SE-37s, or CE-28Ns. But I realize that the CE28ns don't come in 16" sizes, so that's kind of out of the question.
Anyway. Just thought I'd say.
Thanks again HaLo!

[HaLo]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ July 13 2002,11:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (HaLo @ July 13 2002,06:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This may not help, but I'm running 15"s on my S13:
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
HaLo, thanks for the photo. It's good to finally see someone lowered w/ 15s. What kind of suspension do you have, and how many inches is it dropped (roughly)? I'm liking the wing and the DRLs.

Anyway. Just thought I'd say.
Thanks again HaLo!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Hey Adey,

I'm currently running Tokico springs (closeout deal) on stock shocks... It's not the best suspension setup, I know, but it does get the job done. &nbsp;It lowered about 1.6"/1.0" (claimed 1" all-around).

The wing is a replica of the 180sx type-X wing.

And the DRLs are stock here in Canada... what's not stock is that I wired them to light up on accesory contact. &nbsp;That way, they are always on.. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

If you want my opinion, get 16". &nbsp;They'll look nicer than 15". &nbsp;There's lots of rubber on a 15" and I personnally think 17" run too low on rubber.

my 3.5 cdn cents.

[adey]

Hey, thanks for the heads up HaLo. I don't think 15s look all that bad, but I must admit 16s, while only 1" larger, do look a good bit better.
Appreciate the help!

[Anubis]

these are my fav. 16's
http://www.wheelmax.com/Wheels/Speedy/raceblk.gif

[adey]

...does that black rim say "speedy" on it!??! Hahahhaa... okaaaay I bet it'd make my car look real fast! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;I think I'll stick to the nismos that are obviously a rip off of these "speedy" rims! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[adey]

...does that black rim say "speedy" on it!??! Hahahhaa... okaaaay I bet it'd make my car look real fast! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;I think I'll stick to the nismos that are obviously a rip off of these "speedy" rims! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[Bbandit]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (anubis9228 @ July 13 2002,4:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">these are my fav. 16's
http://www.wheelmax.com/Wheels/Speedy/raceblk.gif</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
looks a lot like spoon wheels dont you think? but yes.. theres something about black wheels.. love em!

[Anubis]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ July 13 2002,11:08)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...does that black rim say "speedy" on it!??! Hahahhaa... okaaaay I bet it'd make my car look real fast! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> I think I'll stick to the nismos that are obviously a rip off of these "speedy" rims! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Once you see the price of 1 nismo wheel you'll be changed forever. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[adey]

...! Yeah, Nismo rims are expensive... in general. HOWEVER, you can get some nismo 16s for ~285 per wheel if I'm not mistaken. Nismo JTC 16x7s go for something around that. Though I have to admit, they're not the prettiest wheel in the nismo line up. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[technochronic]

I have flat black 16" rota slipstreams on my s13 and I am very happy with them. Paid $850 for the set with tires off of http://www.groupbuycenter.com . A couple friends of mine used to talk alot of smack about my "undersized k-mart rims" but if your parents aren't buying your rims (and especially tires), you most likely won't want to go any higher than 16's. i weighed each tire set when I had them installed and my car lost a little over 40lbs. This is very noticable under accelleration. I am sure in a few years i will be able to afford some yoko's but I am not about to eat bread and h2o for the next year or so just so that I can "bling-bling" next to the high school kids. just makes me sick to know that most those kids wouldn't even know where to put the tire gauge-but I know where they can put it. hope this helped a little...

[adey]

yes, it did help; thanks! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> ... and it'd help EVEN MORE if you might have photos up. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> What suspension work do you have, and what size tires (esp. width and profile)?