What R-compound are you thinking of possibly moving to for HPDE events? Does it come in a reasonable size for 16" wheels? I had some good 16" wheels for autocrossing, but wound up selling them because Toyo RA-1 tires don't come in a good size for 16" wheels. If you are planning on a different R-compound in the future, then that doesn't matter.

Get the wheels from where they are cheapest. Get tires from where they are cheapest - probably http://www.edgeracing.com/ but also check Vulcan Tire. Then talk to the locals to see who can mount and balance things cheaply. Usually, someone knows someone and you can get it done on the cheap.

$1700 is way to much to pay, especially with Hankook RS2 z212 tires.

 

if you start with the 17's you will not have change later.

 

Thanks everyone for all the help!

Ended up getting 15/7 Kosei's from Tire Rack (Alex was very helpful, as advertised) with metal rings--the center caps don't fit with the metal rings, but since they won't be on anyway, its not an issue. Since Tire Rack didn't have the Hankook's or Falken's, I ended up getting the tires from Vulcan at $74.00 apiece--ended up going with the Azeni's; there was a special with 4 Azenis Tire Totes thrown in for free (I wanted tire totes anyway, and these look very nice--I wonder if they'd react unfavorably to Hankook's if I switch to those in the future), so that ended up being a no brainer.

I'll have them mounted and balanced locally and try to get some miles on them before the HPDE in midseptember. Again, thanks for all the help--I THINK I have a setup I'll be very happy with, and I THINK I got a reasonable price for all of it, which is always nice.

As an addendum, I ordered the wheels yesterday morning. They arrived early this afternoon. Major props for Tire Rack, wasn't expecting that quick of a delivery!