Need to make a decison on whether to get the 16" or the 17" wheels. ...:impatient

Pros: Like the probable performance of the 17's
Cons: More cost initially and for new tires down the road etc, not to mention damage costs from pot holes

Question 1: Is there a significant performance difference between the 16" and the 17" wheels?

Question 2: Is there a much greater probablity of 'caving' a tire/rim w/the 17" rims due to less air/rubber between the rim and road? Does it happen very often (the wife is a often 'distracted driver' )

Bottom line: what is everyone's collective experience with 16' Vs 17's?

PS: We live in the SF Bay Area so we don't have NJ size pot holes....but some pretty close relatives...

 

I went for the 16" rims for a couple of reasons.

First, this is my everyday driver and not a track car so I wanted a slightly smoother ride. 16's are not as harsh.

2 Low profile tires in my neck of the woods mean bent rims and blow outs.

3 The 16" rims are lighter weight but I'm not autocrossing...yet.

Depends what you want to do. I'm liking the 16's so far (only about 900 miles)

swizzle

 

People that race these cars go with 15's and 16's. There are many more tire choices in these sizes. Big is for bling, smaller sizes are for performance.

 

Thank you. I've changed my order to 16's. I'm not into the bling and want a smoother ride. Got talked into something in a moment of weakness!

 

I think you will like your selection. (I swapped the 17 inch S-lites that came with the car for 16 inch. The improvement in ride harshness was amazing.)

 

Honestly, I'd pefer 17's , not the mini ones if you want mine you can have them for 500.00 + shipping. Any way I have the 17in S lites because my JCW package required them. It's true that 16 may offer a better ride but, I like the balance between looks and ride. So I when with after market 17's.

1.There lighter than the factory 17 wheels

2. I got the look I wanted

3. over all better road holding abilitys over 16.

So, I say go 17in after market but If you want the mini 17 with great run flat tires pm me.

ps check my gallery for pics of the car with both sets of wheels