Small rims
Registered Honda user
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by hondadriver22
lately ive been looking at some honda accord pics (94-97) and noticed that alot of people were not going for the 18in (aluminum???), instead they had on like 16in aluminum. Why do this, other than personal preference?
1. Tires are easier to get & cheaper.
2. Ride is more comfortable.
3. Rim damage is less likely.
4. Performance is still very good.
If I could pick any size, I wouldn't go over 17 inchers, especially on an Accord. They're not really sports cars anyway. Yes, it really comes down to preference. To do things correctly, you should have the same overall tire dia., regardless of wheel dia. With 18" rims, you will have about 1.5" less sidewall than stock (225/40/18 tires) There are tradeoffs, but you can fudge it some by going a little bigger dia. (215/45/18) There's smaller dia. if you want to have rubber bands (225/35/18)
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Iowa
lower profile is a compromise in performance in varying conditions.
On smooth wet or dry pavement a lower profile tire will handle better. ON large or medium bumps, the lower unsprung weight can provide better handling acceleration and braking. That unfortunately is where the advantage ends.
For accelerating and braking in most conditons and rough pavement with smaller bumps, a 16" rim with a higher profile will give better traction for acceleration and braking. Also on rippled pavement, gravel and snow, the 16" will be better.
An I'll be honest here. I alos associate a lower car with big rims and tinted windows on any car with either 1) wreckless youth, 2) drug dealer 3) gang banger (usually with chrome...or bling, bling) 4) a combination of the first 3.
Guess I'm just either 1) getting old, 2) grew up 3) too judgemental 4) combination of all 3.
On smooth wet or dry pavement a lower profile tire will handle better. ON large or medium bumps, the lower unsprung weight can provide better handling acceleration and braking. That unfortunately is where the advantage ends.
For accelerating and braking in most conditons and rough pavement with smaller bumps, a 16" rim with a higher profile will give better traction for acceleration and braking. Also on rippled pavement, gravel and snow, the 16" will be better.
An I'll be honest here. I alos associate a lower car with big rims and tinted windows on any car with either 1) wreckless youth, 2) drug dealer 3) gang banger (usually with chrome...or bling, bling) 4) a combination of the first 3.
Guess I'm just either 1) getting old, 2) grew up 3) too judgemental 4) combination of all 3.
"Made to Please"
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Philly
I like my 17's with Falken Ziex 512's. Grip the road like a champ. Personally I think 18" rims are pushing it for Accords and wouldn't go any higher, but the right set and they can be pulled off. Also, even in Philly I get mad pot holes just like in NYC and have to constantly dodge them to keep my rims in tact. More and more I am seeing rim repair shops opening up in this area...
...Motivation to move down south.
...Motivation to move down south.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by SmutWanter
I like my 17's with Falken Ziex 512's. Grip the road like a champ. Personally I think 18" rims are pushing it for Accords and wouldn't go any higher, but the right set and they can be pulled off. Also, even in Philly I get mad pot holes just like in NYC and have to constantly dodge them to keep my rims in tact. More and more I am seeing rim repair shops opening up in this area...
...Motivation to move down south.
...Motivation to move down south.
I dodged a pothole yesterday.....It was about the size of a full car.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Project_ITR
on my 6th gen accord i went with 17x7.5 lightweight forged wheels. they look great, and at only 14.2lbs each, didn't hinder performance at all. 16-17's and lower are typically used for performance. 18+ is usually considered for show, but what really decides which category the wheel will fall in is weight, and overall wheel diameter. you can have an 18" wheel that will still help your car perform better than a stock 16" wheel. just find a lightweight 18" wheel that weighs the same or less, and make sure you get the correct tire size to compliment the wheel so that your overall wheel diameter isn't any larger than stock. example...my stock 15x6" EX wheels weighed about 15lbs...my stock tire size was 195/60/15...when i upgraded to 17x7.5" wheels, i lost a little weight as they weigh in at only a little over 14lbs...the tire size i went to was 215/45/17...with that wheel and tire combonation, the overall diameter of the wheel wasn't changed, i gained 1.5" in wheel width, and subsequent contact patch, so my car's handling ability increased...i also lost some weight from the stock setup so there were no adverse affects to performance...so with the right wheel and tire combo you can have both looks and performance, it's just not cheap...example...i could have gotten a cheaper set of cast 17" wheels that weighed in at 20+lbs...i would have still gotten the benefits of a wider contact patch, but the extra weight was something i had to avoid at all costs...now i could have gotten a set like that for as cheap as 700 wheels and tires...the combo i went with hit me for 2800 wheels and tires shipped...big price difference, but it was worth it to get the look i wanted, and the performance i needed. good luck picking out your wheels. do some research, and decide exactly what you want from your wheels. But don't forget, if u're willing to pay for it, you can have the best of both worlds.
well, for 4th gens, 15's would be best...
On smooth wet or dry pavement a lower profile tire will handle better. ON large or medium bumps, the lower unsprung weight can provide better handling acceleration and braking. That unfortunately is where the advantage ends.
lower profile also helps gearing as well which helps acceleration
Registered Honda user
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by azian21485
even if 15 inch rims weighed the same as 18 inch rims: with 18's, the weight is distributed further towards the outside of the wheel increasing rotational inertia (i think this is what it's called)...so basically, since the weight is distributed farther away from the center, it still requires more torque to accelerate and decellerate