15" v 16"


Cg1612

Chris
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
104
I'm sure this has been answered plenty of times but after scanning this Sub-Forum and reading various threads I couldn't the exact comparison I was after.

Basically, right now I'm running on 15" Enkei Es Tarmacs on 195/55 Tyres but I'm split between selling them to get 16s or just putting good 195/50 rubber on these and getting a refurb.

I think 16" wheels, specifically Regamasters/Sw388s/Slips if anyone has a set to swap ;) , look better though in most cases but I can't seem to find any clear enough photos of Ek Civics with these wheels in both 15 & 16" for a direct comparison. Does anyone have any?

The more important question is what differences there are between running 15" or 16"? Perfomance, Comfort, Feel....

I feel that sometimes 15s can look a little lost in the arches on some cars and I'm really struggling to make a decision!
 
Doubt you will notice much on the road going up to 16", aside from a lighter wallet, good rubber & a 50 profile will give you more feel. Drop the car a touch to ease your arch fear, job done.
 
I'm sure this has been answered plenty of times but after scanning this Sub-Forum and reading various threads I couldn't the exact comparison I was after.

Basically, right now I'm running on 15" Enkei Es Tarmacs on 195/55 Tyres but I'm split between selling them to get 16s or just putting good 195/50 rubber on these and getting a refurb.

I think 16" wheels, specifically Regamasters/Sw388s/Slips if anyone has a set to swap ;) , look better though in most cases but I can't seem to find any clear enough photos of Ek Civics with these wheels in both 15 & 16" for a direct comparison. Does anyone have any?

The more important question is what differences there are between running 15" or 16"? Perfomance, Comfort, Feel....

I feel that sometimes 15s can look a little lost in the arches on some cars and I'm really struggling to make a decision!
Just put some enter 15s with low profile tyres on my ej9 and they are smaller than the standard steel 14s lol now I need to lower it about 40mm to get a decent sized arch gap
 
15" wheels are lighter, the tires are lighter, and less expensive, and with a good tire and a stiff sidewall, you can mimic the stiffness and response you feel with a 16" lower profile tire.
Spinning un-sprung wheel weight is a much better kind of weight to save than sprung weight, ie stuff attached to the vehicle.

However a 16" setup looks better, has better brake clearance and brake cooling, and all things being equal will make the car feel like it's on "rails" more than a 15" setup (but that doesn't mean it's faster around a track, necessarily). They will also transfer bumps to the cabin more, and be more likely to have a pothole be able to bend the rim. Endurance and time attack Hondas often run 16" and 17" wheels, but they don't care because these cars have more power to make up for the added weight, and they like the brake cooling/clearance and the wider tires that seem to go along with bigger, wider wheels. Smaller, lighter cars that do autocross like smaller, lighter, more nimble wheels.

All this is just a matter of personal choice on the street. Since I'm cheap I would go with 15" tires and wheels (I'm used to often raid craigslist and used tire shops, where 15" sizes were easier to come by). In your case why not just sell your current ones and go with 16"s for a while? It certainly looks nice. And you're not married to the decision.
 
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