15", 16" or 17"

[shrumhead]

I idealy would like to have 16" wheels, but right now I have the stock 15" on my 93 240sx. I just bought two nice new 15" yokohama tires for my rear wheels. Now I really want some new rims, I have about 400 bucks to spend on all 4 of em. So i'm wondering if I should get nice 15" rims, or if I should get so-so 16" rims and then a brand new set of 4 16" tires to go with them?

Is having 16" rims really worth buying not-so-good rims, and a whole new set of 4 tires, rather then getting nice rims for my 15" tires....?

[SR20Fastback]

as long as the 16's dont weigh a lot, I suppose it doesnt really matter <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Edit: I said to instead of dont... shiet

[s13rookie]

i may be wrong but pretty much the only real advantage of bigger rims is to run bigger, wider tires. bigger contact patch= better traction

[shrumhead]

SR20Fastback,

What do ya mean?

[s13rookie]

sorry to answer for ya sr20, but what I THINK he meant was:

the larger the wheel, the more weight there is from the center of the hub, rotating inertia,(not sure, sounds right, too drink for vocab). &nbsp;run your car on a drag run with stock rims, than throw some middle-of-the-road 17's on it, youlll notice a difference. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;screw that pontiac add, "wider is better" , lighter is better, at least for wheels, cause i like my big women
hahah

[jskim9]

no, wider is better. Pontiac's ads are referring in wide track (width of the car itself) which is also advantageous for cornering. &nbsp;
back to tires... &nbsp;Wider is almost always better, except for snow. &nbsp;Tires grip obviously comes from friction, larger the surface area, higher coefficient of friction. &nbsp;Some people believe that having a smaller surface area will increase force applied to a smaller area increasing friction force, however, I don't see that logic. &nbsp;Nobody actually proved that logic to me yet. &nbsp;

anyways, going back to the original post, I think the original question was the diameter of the rim. &nbsp;There's almost no difference b/t 15" 16" and 17" in terms of performance. &nbsp;As for weight difference... it's only about a 2-3 lb difference for most rims. &nbsp;Larger rims are only advantageous for fitting larger brakes. &nbsp;If you ever plan on going Z32 brakes, you'll definitely have to upgrade to 16" or larger rims that can clear the calipers. &nbsp;Some people think that having a higher tire wall will allow the tires to compress under high speed cornering, but that's why you should run higher pressure when you race. &nbsp;FYI: Indy cars run 15" rims (or is it 16?) but they're 14 inches wide.

[s13rookie]

reread my first post . &nbsp;the main advantage of having larger wheels is to run WIDER tires. &nbsp;what i mean in my second post was that adding a set of rims to your car with wide tires, but weigh 35lbs each is pointless. i dont see any high performance vehicles running fat tired 20's(thank god) &nbsp;you have to find the balance

[adey]

well, for $400 you can't really get anything that nice (unless you get REAL lucky for second hand 15s) so I wouldn't bother with any of it for now... maybe get 2 nice 15s for the fronts (helps brake cooling) and some tires for those as well?

[shrumhead]

I think imma get two new front tires, and then 4 nice new 15" rims <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> thx for the help guys

[240 2NR]

Well the best use of the $400 is probably to get some really nice tires for your 15" wheels (alloys I assume). &nbsp;To spend that on wheels and tires will compromise both. &nbsp;Personally, I think 16's or 17's will improve road feel, though the 17's could get on the stiff side.

[RedlineRacer]

Big rims make your speedo really inaccurate. Isn't it like every inch you add, it makes your speedo 3-5 mph off? So like if you have stock 14's and go to 18's, then your speedo would be off as much as 20 mph's.

[Annoying Eric]

I grew up around the thought that people get bigger rims in order to fit larger brakes. Well thats the way it is for people into american cars.. Im personallt sticking with 15 inch.. theres no reason for me to out crazy large wheels, and redline racer is right, bigger rims with fuck your speedometer up..

[240racer]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Big rims make your speedo really inaccurate. Isn't it like every inch you add, it makes your speedo 3-5 mph off? So like if you have stock 14's and go to 18's, then your speedo would be off as much as 20 mph's.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

what is that supposed to mean?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
the wheel (rim) diameter has nothing to do with the diameter of your tires, nor does it have anything to do with your speedometer.

anyway, I am sure all of you can handle getting the correct outside diameter tires to go along with whatever size wheels you get (unless your wheels are larger then the diameter you need, which is really close to 25" for the 240)

please don't throw out comments when you have no idea what you are talking about.

as far as the original question, I have been dealing with this problem a lot recently. &nbsp;I have stock 15" steelies and have been debating going to 15" aluminum, 16" aluminum and whatever. &nbsp;I am also working on a custom big brake kit, so if I went to 16s I could use them to their full potential. &nbsp;anyway, I decided to stick with 15" steel for a while and get nice tires for them. &nbsp;I can still fit 10.5" rotors under them and I think this is a better use of money for the time being. &nbsp;My wheels weigh about 20lbs each, which is lighter then most 16s and 17s. &nbsp;Anyway, I like the deal that tirerack has right now on the 205/55-15 Potenza s0-3 for $100/each, I think I'll get those next spring.

[Annoying Eric]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (240racer @ Oct. 30 2002,1:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">what is that supposed to mean?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
the wheel (rim) diameter has nothing to do with the diameter of your tires, nor does it have anything to do with your speedometer.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Think about it.... The larger the wheel, means the further your car will go every rotation, the computer in the car is setup for 15 inch rims, so if you get bigger wheels then the speedo will be wrong cause your car is actually moving further with each rotation....

[ruf]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Think about it.... The larger the wheel, means the further your car will go every rotation, the computer in the car is setup for 15 inch rims, so if you get bigger wheels then the speedo will be wrong cause your car is actually moving further with each rotation....</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

YOU think about it.... TIRES. Those things that you put on your wheels that determine the outer circumference and thus the rollout. SIDEWALL HIEGHT. What you are supposed to adjust to compensate for a larger wheel so your rollout and therefore speedometer are not affected.

You are a fount of misinformation.

[soulDistortion]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Annoying Eric @ Oct. 30 2002,1:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Think about it.... The larger the wheel, means the further your car will go every rotation, the computer in the car is setup for 15 inch rims, so if you get bigger wheels then the speedo will be wrong cause your car is actually moving further with each rotation....</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
That's only true if the total size (meaning rim WITH tire) is larger than stock.

Ideally, if you increase rim diameter, you decrease tire sidewall. It's called plus sizing, and it's how people get bigger rims without affecting their speed.

[Annoying Eric]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ruf @ Oct. 30 2002,1:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You are a fount of misinformation.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Oh Yeah your definitly one tough motherfucker.

Bitch cakes......I guess your just Mr. fucking GOD himself.....
I grew up learning one thing and you grew up learnign another
http://members.truepath.com/hatexedge/jimcarrey.jpg

Edit: oh and i you edited your post cause i know it said lack of thought
I also took out the whitetrash thing cause it was just MEAN.....

[ruf]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Annoying Eric @ Oct. 30 2002,1:25)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ruf @ Oct. 30 2002,1:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You are a fount of misinformation.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Oh Yeah your definitly one tough motherfucker.

Bitch cakes......I guess your just Mr. fucking GOD himself.....
I grew up learning one thing you being the whitetrash you are grew up learning another...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I never said I was tough. I will say that I am correct. And that you are wrong. And that you are obviously immature.

And yes I did edit my post. I felt that it was wrong for me to say lack of thought and I rescinded that comment shortly after I wrote it. When I'm wrong, I admit it and try my best to fix it. That's how us white trash folk was raised.

[240racer]

ruf, how come both of us have less posts, but still manage to be correct? &nbsp;wow, posting doesn't make you smarter

[soulDistortion]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Annoying Eric @ Oct. 30 2002,1:25)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I grew up learning one thing and you grew up learnign another...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Then you learned it wrong, point blank.

[X-Iceman]

lalalalaaaa... wow, everyone conterdictin each other. LOL wider is better, i think he was makin a joke, n that other guy took it to seriously.. i wonder who made those posts, maybe i should go look... nah <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> debate on ma brothas

[jskim9]

this is great... this is why cars should never be discussed on the internet. You can't really make a point. &nbsp;Just take it to a track, that's the only proving ground that counts worth any Sh*t. &nbsp;Whoever believes wider tires are NOT advantageous... stick to your Honda sized 215/40-xx tires, no problem. &nbsp;If you don't like 18's cuz they weigh 2-3 lbs heavier than the 1in. size below it, stick to 15's, no problem. &nbsp;But unless YOU have tried it, or witness someone else try it, don't spurt out whatever you think is correct. &nbsp;

look at rwd cars, there's a reason why most people run stag, it's to avoid the oversteering more associated with rwd than fwd or awd. &nbsp;You give less traction on the front to increase understeer. &nbsp;Now i'm sure someone who watched Initial D is gonna say "you create oversteer by losening up the rear end" by using your e-brakes or downshifting w/o heel-toing... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I won't go there (sorry, people actually cited Initial D to me in the past)

Stock '97 SE's came with 205/55-16. &nbsp;I have 225/55-16 now (better to get 225/50 btw for clearance and gearing issues), the difference is night and day. &nbsp;whoever doubts it, try and and see. &nbsp;Until you do, and know for sure, don't guess what you merely believe is the normative answer. &nbsp;

Ruf is right, there's just too much misinformation out there on the net and people that are trying to learn about cars and performance are having to weigh in what's myth and fact too much. &nbsp;

While knowledge is driven by experience, misinformation is driven by egos.