Wheel size vs tire quality?

[vibedrivermatt]

Hey Id like to get some opinions from people who drive around on OEM 17" wheels. even better if some body drove around on both the 16" and 17" toyota or pontiac wheels. is the 1/2" extra width you get with the 17" that drastic an improvement? Don't the 17" wheels make the car taller? does this have an effect on the speedometer?Do you think its worth having nicer tires on the smaller wheels. Or less expensive tires on the lager wheels? Which wheel would you prefer to live with?thanks

[BlueCrush]

With 16's you will have a smaller rim diameter and a taller profile tire. With the 17's you will have a larger rim diameter but a shorter profile tire. The overall diameter of both wheel/tire combos should be the same and have no effect on the speedo. Personally, I would go with the 16's and the better tire for a better ride and a potentiall longer lasting and better performing tire (depending on the tire, that is)

[vibedrivermatt]

ahhh thanks. yeah I kinda have enough info already on this this. I'm not sure if this post is necessary. I know the 17's are better and with the best tires the 17's are going to perform better. I guess its a simple matter of how much you wanna spend..

[Sublimewind]

What do you deem "better" ???That is the real question... You can get the best tires in the world for either size, so that doesn't matter a heck of a lot.. So it comes back to what is deemed to be "better" I personally would use the 17's, but I like a lower profile tire and slightly better turn in response from my tires.. You typically get that with a shorter sidewall... but it's not "better" it's just what I like.. If you want comfort, go for the 16's and a slightly taller sidewall.. AFA width, 1/2" doesn't mean anything, if you got 3/32" of trad out of 1/2 wider width I would be surprised... you can go with wider tires, but the benefits don't justify the price, if you ask me.. Now, in terms of price value, what do you want? A summer only performance tire that good in the rain... ?? Or do you want a long wearing all season (yuck) I use summer and winter wheels and tires.. It's the only way to fly if you ask me.. You get to use proper summer tires, and proper winter tires, without compromising either (the dedicated summers are on the Subaru, not the Vibe though)Well, I should say, I don't run my "all seasons" in the snow, the tires on my Vibe happen to be AS tires, but I don't trust them in the snow.. I have winter tires for that.. So, what do you want out of your driving experience?

[vibedrivermatt]

Sometimes I drive pretty spirited in the vibe, of course only in areas where it's reasonable. I could appreciate better tires. I plan on doing what you do with your subie, summer tires in the warm months and other tires on the steelies during winter. What I meant by "better" is that you can get the best tires in the world, put them on each set of wheels, and the 17's are going to perform better. Or at least the should. right?I'm just having a hard time deciding on 16" or 17" wheels but, I know what Im going with now. 16" alloys to keep the cost of nice summer tires more reasonable. I've found some Dunlop summer tires that Im in love with and they're gong on my vibe when I get a chance. ahhhh just also have to get the wheels, center caps, and lug nuts..or locking lug nuts...all in time, all in time.

[Sublimewind]

Well, if you are after a decent performance tire without breaking the bank, I would look at a few, none of which are Dunlops though.. Kumho SPTFalken FK452Federal 595I've owned Kumhos (2-3 sets) and I've got the Falken FK452 on my Subie right now.. No experience with the Federals, but I read good things All the above are budget friendly at If you are going to run summers and winters, there is no reason why you shouldn't have a nicer summer tire... I would do the 17.. Stands to reason that with a shorter sidewall, you will have better steering response.. You can get tires with crazy stiff sidewalls though (the Falken 615) that prolly wouldn't be that different between sizes.. but they ride like rocks..

[vibedrivermatt]

ouch $150 per tire is budget friendly? To me more like $100 per tire is considered expensive. I try not to go higher than that even for performance tires. I like 100 because its a nice round number.. I just looked up all those tires. None of them cost more than $88, which I still think is a good price to spend. I also pick my tires based on what the treads look like.. I didn't like how the treads looked on any of those...The tires I had in mind are Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. I thought this was nice stuff people normally use on bimmers and such. Here's the thing.. they cost $97 per tire on the 16's and $125 on the 17's. A substantial cost difference... I know If I put these on the 16's Id have a great handling tire but, at $30 per tire installed I'm still looking at $520 total tire for complete tire change.. ohhh don't forget shipping.. no way most people consider that budget friendly. Doesn't matter anyways I'm do broke now so I'm just gonna be rolling around on my stock all seasons for a while.

[djkeev]

HI,Keep in mind that what is good to me isn't good to you and only OK to someone else. It really all depends upon where you live and what kind of daily driving you do. For the boring daily commute, stay with your 16's and save your cash. IF you are out every night melting the country roads and violating most traffic laws go ahead and get 17 and the better performance and often higher costs that most often come with them.As far as cheap tires go. This is the one part of the car that if it should fail at a high speed, you may die. It amazes me how people spend money of all sorts of accessories and premium oils and filters. Chrome on the engine, sound systems, etc. When it comes to tires they put on the cheapest chunk of rubber they can find!!This is very Short sighted in my book and an invitation to disaster.If money really is an issue, scrap the concept of new wheels and just run your stock wheels with high quality tires on them. If in NY State, a quality all season tire that does "ok" in all categories, if you only run one set or wheels. A good rain/dry tire if you will run separate winter rims and of course great (no "good" rating here) snow tires on them.Good Luck, Do some major research, most of the tires are rated for quality of construction and drive characteristics. It will be confusing and frustrating but eventually it will boil down to a choice or two, you'll go to the store and find out that they stopped making THAT tire last month be they do have "THIS" one and you'll begin the process again!!!Dave

[Sublimewind]

So, you choose tires based on tread pattern... Well, I do to, but it's one of the LAST considerations.. Dunlop Direzza, how much are they commanding for a set of those.. lol.. And why are 17" more expensive than 16's Well, 17's have less between the road and rim, they have to be built stronger to take the bumps.. BAM, cost difference.. BTW, if you buy from Discount Tire Direct.. free shipping..

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »BTW, if you buy from Discount Tire Direct.. free shipping.. watch this carefully, this is not always the case. They recently changed it to free ground shipping on all purchaces. A few months ago when I was looking at buying tires they only offered free shipping if you purchaced rims and tires.Jump on the offer while it lasts

[Sublimewind]

I did not know that... DOH... I'll be watching for sure on my next purchase.. Thanks K..