15" or 16" wheels?

allenwal · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 10:21 PM

Hi,

I'm planning to purchase a Fit Sport soon. One option I'm considering is upgrading to the 16" wheels. Could someone please explain the advantages/disadvantages of this? Will it affect the gas economy? Do the larger wheels improve handling, comfort, etc? I do mostly city driving, if that makes any difference. Think they're woth the extra US$800+? They look pretty cool in the pictures.

Thanks,

Allen

Bill L · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 10:36 PM

With 16'' handling will probably improve at the expense of comfort (less sidewall height to absorb bumps) and replacement tire costs will be more, but many folks would say it'll look better. Every choice has its trade-offs, so figure out what really matters to you, then go for that, and enjoy your car!

A question I need answered concerns total unsprung weight-- is a larger rim with lower aspect ratio tire heavier than a smaller rim with a higher ratio tire, or do they cancel out? Anybody know?

corey415 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 11:12 PM

The biggest difference the 16" rims will provide is better looks. If you really care about performance, spend the money instead on replacing the stock rubber with higher performance tires.

ezekielwhore · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 11:29 PM

imo. 15". im not saying 16" are bad. but tires can be a lil more expensive i believe.

mightyjazz · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 11:39 PM

I've installed 16" wheels (Volk Racing TE37 by Rays) that weigh considerably less than the stock Jazz VTEC's wheels (15"). If you'd go for 16", bear in mind, chose the ones with +38, +40, or +42 offset... +35 will scrub your fender inner lips...

JDMGD3 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-22-2006, 11:57 PM

Anytime you increase wheel size, it will affect the acceleration and not in a good way even if the bigger wheels are lighter then the smaller ones your replacing. The reason for this is because larger the diamter of the wheel, the more the overall weight is spread throughout the whole wheel so the edge of the wheel is further away from the center then with a smaller wheel so it takes longer for it to make a full revolution then with a smaller wheel even it is lighter.

This same theory applies to big brake kits. Big brake kits when installed will actually show a HP loss at the wheels on a dyno even if every component of the kit is lighter then the stock kit your replacing because the diameter of the rotor is overall much larger then stock.

Personally if you asked me, if you want the best of both worlds without sacrificing anything, go with a 15x6.5 or 15x7 wheel preferrably with a offset from 38 to 42 but try to get a wheel at least 13lbs and lighter. The Fit Sports 15x6 wheels at the least weigh 15lbs a piece. 2lbs of weight might not seem like alot but when its rotating weight like a wheel is, it will easily be felt from the first minute you start driving with them. If you really want the full affect of super lightweight wheels I suggest a forged 1 piece wheel from any major Japanese company like Volk, Enkei, Buddy Club, Racing Hart all have wheels around 10lbs and lighter but they do cost about $350/wheel on average.

I forgot to mention, if you do go with a 15x6.5 or 15x7 wheel, use a 195/55/15 tire and ride quality wont be compromised for performance/handling because the sport comes stock with 55 series tires so your still retaining the same amount of sidewall to aborb bumps and imperfections on the road.

Hondyboy · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenwal

Hi,

I'm planning to purchase a Fit Sport soon. One option I'm considering is upgrading to the 16" wheels. Could someone please explain the advantages/disadvantages of this? Will it affect the gas economy? Do the larger wheels improve handling, comfort, etc? I do mostly city driving, if that makes any difference. Think they're woth the extra US$800+? They look pretty cool in the pictures.

Thanks,

Allen

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it $800 just for the rims? If so, you will also need to buy new tires, and I doubt the dealer will give you any credit for them. I have no experience with this, so I could be totally wrong....

dougiepants · #8 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 01:54 AM

I think this one is personal preference. I'm running 15x6.5 +35 & +42 with 195/50/15's on them

jeebus · #9 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 02:58 AM

i think the Fit would be perfect with a lightweight 15x7 on 205/50/15 sticky rubber. But I'm not a big wheel advocate...I like to minimize unsprung weight.

dougiepants · #10 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeebus

i think the Fit would be perfect with a lightweight 15x7 on 205/50/15 sticky rubber. But I'm not a big wheel advocate...I like to minimize unsprung weight.

I aggree aswell. But the wheels I purchased were not available in that size at the time...

Jonniedee · #11 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDMGD3

Anytime you increase wheel size, it will affect the acceleration and not in a good way even if the bigger wheels are lighter then the smaller ones your replacing. The reason for this is because larger the diamter of the wheel, the more the overall weight is spread throughout the whole wheel so the edge of the wheel is further away from the center then with a smaller wheel so it takes longer for it to make a full revolution then with a smaller wheel even it is lighter.

I'm sorry but rotational mass is rotational mass - if the 16 rim is larger , yet weighs LESS than the 15 and the sidewall height makes the overall wheel tire combo the same height (15 vs 16) than this "argument" makes absolutely NO SENSE!

Gordio · #12 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 01:55 PM

Do bigger wheels affect how the car computes how many miles you drove, since that thing is a rev-o-meter than a mile-o-meter?

mightyjazz · #13 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 02:03 PM

Pls have Google find "Auto Tire Diameter Calculator" and compute the differences of revolution per mile and speedometer reading (compared to actual speed using different size of tires).

Jonniedee · #14 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 07:17 PM

You guys you guys - the height of the TOTAL wheel and tire Pkg for the 15 vs the 16 are the same - sidewall heights vary!!!!

JDMGD3 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonniedee

You guys you guys - the height of the TOTAL wheel and tire Pkg for the 15 vs the 16 are the same - sidewall heights vary!!!!

A 15" wheel with a 50 series tire has about the same overall diameter as a 16" with a 40 or 45 series tire.

FitDaddy · #16 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 08:48 PM

heres one......
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit

gives you an idea of factory size vs. ?? you can play around with size to get it close to factory as you can. I believe the sport model has 195/55 15.

hope this helps

FitDaddy · #17 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 08:53 PM

sorry, heres another one I forgot about, like it better.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

cdnrsx · #18 (**permalink**) 04-23-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordio

Do bigger wheels affect how the car computes how many miles you drove, since that thing is a rev-o-meter than a mile-o-meter?

Yes and no. Yes a bigger tire will effect speedo and odometer, however the the overall diamiter of the 15" and 16" factory honda tires are nearly the same so it wont effect it much if at all

pNz · #19 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 01:17 AM

so what would be best as far as perfomance (taking corners etc) 15 or 16 inch. Also what tire size(s) would be recommended for each size rim.

cdnrsx · #20 (**permalink**) 04-24-2006, 03:21 AM

Quick answere... the 16" are better performers. But more importantly it's the tires that makes the difference. The 16's whould be a harsure ride, but who cares!!!!
There is alot to consider with tire size. A overall diamiter of the tire should only be 3% bigger or smaller than the oem tire. this link will help when selecting a tire. http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html