15" or 16" rims?

[goldfinger]

I'm going to be buying some before the end of July and I've been shopping around. Of course the first place I go to is TireRack. :D

The 15" rims / tire combo I picked out is about $100 less than the 16" combo. To me, that's a significant amount of $$. How much better will the 16" rims really look? Worth the $100?

BTW, here's the ones I've picked out.

15's

15" Rims (http://www.ozarkimaging.com/matts/asa_js1_sml_ci3_l.jpg)

The tires to go with them are 205/60TR15 Kumho Touring Plus 732's

16's

16" Rims (http://www.ozarkimaging.com/matts/mm_11_2_1000.jpg)

The tires to go with them are 205/55HR16 Kumho Ecsta HP4 716's.

Opinions? Are the 16" Rims/Tires really worth the extra 100 bucks?

[BBT]

Bigger, fatter wheels and tires always look better, and SHOULD perform better, especially when cornering.

I like the 15s better for looks. Are they available in 16"? Tires, I'm not sure about as I don't know anything about Kumho. From the reviews on the Tire Rack site I'd say they were OK as modestly priced tires go, and will probably do well for you.

[goldfinger]

TY for the reply. :)

They are available, but they're $40 more per set. I'm trying to keep things below $700. The Kumho's have good reviews and no more than I drive they will definatly suffice for me. It would probably take me 10 years to do 50,000 miles. :)

Looks like I might save up for the 16's.

[TEAM_AED]

wouldnt you prefer some 17 inch Satin Chrome Helo Bezels? I am selling mine of my 98 SE for $550 + Shipping. You would be way under $700. And you would get 17's. :D

[matts]

not to put a cramp in your selling, but he said $100 was significant. what happens when he has to go buy his new set of tires? a tire for a 17 is a little bit more than a tire for a 15. but if it was me i'd go for the 17. rims can make or break a car

[TEAM_AED]

Originally posted by matts
not to put a cramp in your selling, but he said $100 was significant. what happens when he has to go buy his new set of tires? a tire for a 17 is a little bit more than a tire for a 15. but if it was me i'd go for the 17. rims can make or break a car

My rims include TIRES!! LOL $550 + shipping for rims and tire..... 50% tread left on the rear, 80% tread left on the front.. He has plenty of miles left on these wheels.

[goldfinger]

Originally posted by TEAM_AED
wouldnt you prefer some 17 inch Satin Chrome Helo Bezels? I am selling mine of my 98 SE for $550 + Shipping. You would be way under $700. And you would get 17's. :D

I did see your post, and I did check it out. :agree: They looked awesome but I don't think they would look good on my body style. I'm looking for some that have a look similar to those in my first post.

17's are really out of my budget and I'm not sure how they'd look w/o lowering. :) I Just want something to replace those darn hubcaps!! I wash + waxed it today and those darn stock hubcaps are awful!! :(

[matts]

i saw that. but tires are going to wear out. i don't care if they are brand new. its just since they are still decent he wouldn't have to buy tires for a little while

[Artic]

Originally posted by matts
i saw that. but tires are going to wear out. i don't care if they are brand new. its just since they are still decent he wouldn't have to buy tires for a little while Just to say it 17's are not that expensive on rubber paid 60 a piece for mine thats less than you can buy a 16 inch tire for :) Ya just gotta know where and how to shop.

[goldfinger]

Tires to me aren't that important. Most likely they'll be the last set I ever buy for the car. In 5 years I probably wouldn't put 15,000 - 20,000 miles on the car.

I'm just not sure 17's would look good on my car.......... the 97's have big wheel wells to begin with and I'm afraid it might give it a "wagon wheel" look without lowering. :(

[BBT]

Hey. It's your car. It's an SE. The changes you are looking at will make a big difference in how the car looks no matter which ones you buy. Personally, I'd go as big as I can afford.

If you change tire sizes be sure the outside diameter of the tire remains the same so as not to throw off your speedo. I don't knwo the tire size you have on now, but you should be able to compare either on Tire Rack or other sites that give tire specs.

As I said, I prefer the look of the 15s, but in a 16" would be my choice. But if you have to watch your $, then go big as you can afford, like I said. You really won't go wrong.

Personally, I also would not buy used wheels & tires. Especially from somebody across country. Although I'm sure Team_AED would not be ripping off a fellow GAOC member, there is just no fall back if for some reason there is a problem with the rims & tires on your car. When you buy from a dealer, there is. Sometimes worth the few extra buckazoids.

Make a choice you can live with and be happy with it. :thumbup2:

[TEAM_AED]

Originally posted by BBT
Hey. It's your car. It's an SE. The changes you are looking at will make a big difference in how the car looks no matter which ones you buy. Personally, I'd go as big as I can afford.

If you change tire sizes be sure the outside diameter of the tire remains the same so as not to throw off your speedo. I don't knwo the tire size you have on now, but you should be able to compare either on Tire Rack or other sites that give tire specs.

As I said, I prefer the look of the 15s, but in a 16" would be my choice. But if you have to watch your $, then go big as you can afford, like I said. You really won't go wrong.

Personally, I also would not buy used wheels & tires. Especially from somebody across country. Although I'm sure Team_AED would not be ripping off a fellow GAOC member, there is just no fall back if for some reason there is a problem with the rims & tires on your car. When you buy from a dealer, there is. Sometimes worth the few extra buckazoids.

Make a choice you can live with and be happy with it. :thumbup2:

Understandable. You take a risk in purchasing anything. But I would never rip off ANY MEMBER of any site. Ask Mini_me he got my seat covers.

[goldfinger]

I appreciate the feedback I got from you guys. :)

I ended up going with the 16" Rims I posted and 205/55HR16 Kumho Ecsta HP4 716's. I ALMOST went with some Kumho Supra 712's but since I need at least some light snow traction I opted for the 716's instead. :)

I think the 16" over my 14" will make a significant difference.

The set came to just over $700 shipped from TireRack. I will post pics when I get them. :D

[nadir]

Originally posted by goldfinger
I appreciate the feedback I got from you guys. :)

I ended up going with the 16" Rims I posted and 205/55HR16 Kumho Ecsta HP4 716's. I ALMOST went with some Kumho Supra 712's but since I need at least some light snow traction I opted for the 716's instead. :)

I think the 16" over my 14" will make a significant difference.

The set came to just over $700 shipped from TireRack. I will post pics when I get them. :D

good thing you went w/ the 716's rather than the 712's... the 712's are HORRIBLE in icy/wet conditions (bad personal experience)... but they're excellent during dry.

btw, Nice rims :)