I am going to order new wheels next week and I can't decide between 16" and 17".

I'm leaning towards the 17" 'cause I think larger rims and low profile tires look better.

But a 16" package would cost $160 less - and tires would cost less too…
The 16" wheels also weigh a pound less each
and the larger profile tires would offer better ride comfort [I live in the NE, so plenty of rough roads].

But my SE already has 16" wheels…

But it might be easier to damage a 17" rim…

But…

What would you do?
NE1 regret getting 17" rims?

 

If the wheels only weigh a 1 lb less between a 16 and 17 (I really doubt this is true) then go for the 17s. A 235/45 is still plenty of sidewall. Just remember, lower profile tires are heavier too since they have more belts and a much stiffer sidewall. It sounds like you aren't by lightweight rims so expect your car to be about .2-.3 slower and 2mph in the 1/4.


Dave

 

anyone ever notice that the 16" se rims have much better and larger selection of better tires?? (compared to 17"s)

 

If you already have 16" rims/tires, go for the 17's. To me, buying 16s when you already have 16s is just trading sideways. At least go up to 17's. Like Dave said, the recommended tire is a 235-45, which is plenty of sidewall. Yes, it is harsher but still plenty of protection. I run 17x8 w/ 235-45-17 Kumhos, and it's no problem for daily driving. If you live in NYC or something, then you might want to worry but if all the roads are fairly good, then go ahead and upgrade to 17's.

 

According to the wheel-weight tables I've found:

Kosei K1 Racing

16 x 7.5 - 15.5 lbs.

17 x 7.5 - 16.7 lbs.

And thanks, I didn't know about the extra weight.
In fact I thought less tire = less weight...

I'm not taking it to the drag strip any time soon.
Might do a time trial in Nov.
But fractions of a second, a couple of MPH shouldn't be a problem.

 

have you dropped your car? if you go from 16 to 17, the 4x4 look will be more pronounced. I stayed with 16's to avoid having to change my suspension.

 

18's

 

17s

 

OK I'm going to go with the 17"
[It was what I secretly wanted anyway]
I'm going with Kumhos for em.

AznWontonboy - I dunno.
The Sumitomos are not available in 16".
But the wheels I want were not available in 17" until just recently.
I have no idea why wheel makers don't offer a given style in a decent
range - 15, 16, 17, 18 and maybe larger as these become more popular.
As for tire makers, I guess they look at the number of aftermarket wheels
sold in various sizes and decide based on that...

Jeff92 - yeah, I agree with you - sideways wise.
It was partly the cost of tires, partly about the extra protection for the wheels and partly ride quality.

SprintMax - 17" is my limit

Jay_x - H&R springs will be ordered at the same time