Is it really worth it to pay $800 for a set of 17" rims? I mean, they'll look awesome, but I've decided I really like the way my little 15" chrome rims look anyways. They only reason I would still do it would be the fact that I could get lower profile wider tires on the 17" rims, like 235/45/17 ZR Kumho's or somethin. Is there a big performance increase from bigger tires?

 

if you want to go fast stick with 15's ,youll also pay less for tires...its all really in taste...but i would just stick to 16

 

The lower aspect ratio (smaller sidewalls) of the tires will give much better handling. Less side deflection in turns. Usually a larger wheel diameter lends better steering response, but if the wheels are heavy they will increase the cars unsprung weigh (the amount of weight the car has to push around and not supported by the suspension) and decrease acceleration. Very definate handling improve ment. Price depends on the wheel. My BBS's are only 16's and cost $1,000 for the set four years ago.

 

Are only 195/55/15...pretty crappy

Could I fit wider and smaller sidewall tires onto these same rims? Don't the rims have to be the same width as the tires? Thats what I would think...

 

speedo is way off running 195/55/15s....

 

You can run 215/60/15s. They'll be wider, but bulge out from the rim.

 

215/55/15s are about the lowest profile, and widest you can fit on that rim. 225/55/15 are slightly wider, but MUCH more expensive. 215/55/15 will give you better acceleration, but your speedo will be off by about 5% (when your speedo reads 60, you will actualy be going 57)

 

is this an either/or choice? you must have 17's or 15's? i'd say neither. get 16's for visual proportion's sake specific to the 3rd gen, and performance. but whatever you do, for performance's sake, get rid of the heavy stockies and upgrade to a lighter wheel. you can then experiment with tires all you want thereafter, finding the 'best' setup for your personal driving style and feel.

be aware that tire sizes are relative. that is, a 225/50/16 is not the same height as a 205/50/16 eventhough both are "50s." -the wider 225 will typically be manufactured with a taller sidewall as there is more material widthwise for the sidewall to buttress during cornering.

 

So what are the correct tire sizes (range) for a 15" rim to keep the speedo accurate...

 

205/65/15

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