Originally Posted by jaje
15" wheels also give you more power to the ground over 16" wheel (less distance to travel through a shorter radius)...smaller wheels also give you better acceleration also through less total mass and the mass is more centered and less at the outer rim/axis'
You can keep the overall diameter the same by decreasing the sidewall height. With 15s you get 195/55x15" (23.3") with 16s you get 205/45x16" (23.3").
You can get 205/50x15" which is 23" in diameter and doesn't throw off the speedo and odometer too much. Feels more peppy and get a wider contact patch.
205/40x17" is 23.5" which is why most cars feel sluggish and get a little worse mpg (also because it's a heavier wheel and tire), but your gearing gets changed to a high gear in effect.
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