Rims - 16" or 17" - Pro's & Con's?

[[J]]

I've got an EK VTi-R which has currently got the stock 15" rims on it and I'm currently looking for a new set of rims, however I'm not sure whether to go for 16's or 17's?..

I'm trying to come up with the pro's and con's for each and have so far thought of the following -

16" -
- Cheaper tyres
- Smoother ride?
- Better handling?
- Do they look too small though at stock height?

17" -
- Fill the arches out better
- However will the ride/ handling suffer?

The car is not/ will not be lowered at the moment and is purely used as a street car - so track work or anything like that does not really play a part in my decision.

So ideally, I guess what I am after is a size that will look good at stock ride height, but will also not have too much of a negative effect on the ride/ handling quality of the car..

If anyone has had experience with the above, or currently has 16's or 17's and can offer any input, please post your comments.

Thanks!

edit: Didn't realise I posted this in the Noob Section - If a Mod thinks it should be moved to the Civic 2000 below forum, could you please move it. Thanks!

[steve88]

sticking 17's on stock suspension will make your car very high, the arch will be bigger if anything.

[[J]]

Yeah, I had thought of that, however the other day I swapped over my stock rims with my brothers 16" buddy clubs/ tyres, and the rolling diameter was virtually identical.. There was no raise in the car's height what so ever..There was just more rim and less tyre.

So I was of the impression that an extra inch in rim size might lift the car slightly, however it may also fill the guards out more?? (I could be way off the mark though?).. Just looking for peoples thoughts?.

[englee]

I've downgraded from 17" to 16" and it made a world of difference. I'm getting better fuel economy, response and feel. The car doesn't feel that sluggish either. I drive an EM1.

16" doesn't look small. Looks just proportionate to the car.

17"
----
- Higher fuel consumption due to rolling weight.
- Expensive tyres.
- Slower response.
- Have to be more careful with offset and car height as it may scrub the fender.

[englee]

When doing any wheel upgrades, its better to stick to the factory rolling diameter as close as possible to keep the original readings on your speedo. When I had my 17's on, they didn't actually fill much of the guards. Its only after lowering the car that it looked much nicer. On stock, it looked like the car was going for WRC.

So if you're thinking of upgrading wheels for filling the gap, then you'll have to look at lowering springs as well.

[[J]]

Thanks for the helpful reply englee!

I realise that going with bigger rims is not going to eliminate the gap, however I don't have the funds for lowering at the moment and don't want to lower my car unless I'm going to do it right the first time round.

Will probably end up going with 16's..

[defect]

yea just stick with 16s champ.

[Dreams]

says who 16's tyres are cheaper?

[rayb3na_]

says who 16's tyres are cheaper?

agreed! lol 17inch low profile roughly around 150 for nankangs! 16 inch u can almost get andrenalins for 150

[DC4Integra98]

my car looks 4x4 atm with 17s and stock height. Well I guess I've gotten used to them at the height. At least i feel less worried when I hit a pothole etc. Will take some pics for you sometime....

/lazy

[steve88]

thats wrong, 18"s nankangs cost 150, 17" nan kangs are between 100-120

i got 18's and i love it, i dont know what 15-16s are like i never gone that low

[xtercii]

17s will make ur car look funny and too high...

15 or 16 for EKs...