Is a 16 inch rim any better than a 15? I want a 16 because it looks better, but it's tough to find different makes, everybody has 15's . Are there really any handling bonus's to 16's.

 

no

 

First off, nice 15" rims are harder to find than nice 16" ones. There is simply more selection for larger rims due to a higher demand. (the word rice comes to mind )

The only handling advantage (and I'd say its a potential advantage), is that on a larger rim, logically a larger and wider tire will fit. A wider tire will only increase friction, hence increasing traction and grip, logically improving handling. Two disadvantages to a wider tire is lower fuel efficiency, and higher cost of tires.

Hope that helps

 

bigger wheel = wheel closer to the ground, which means less rubber between the wheel and road.. less rubber = less bending on sharp turns, better handling? smaller wheel = more rubber, the sides of the tires bend with the turns and not as precise handling? never cared too much to find out how much of a diff it made but i doubt its really noticeable....shouldnt really matter unless ur racing on the track? ^^ also usually bigger wheel = more weight.....

 

oh i didnt read the 15" and 16" part, i thought u meant like handling benefits between 15" and 18" ha my fault

 

Weight has more to do with what the wheel is made of and its construction, not its size. Of course if you get two wheels made with the same design and of the same material then it comes down to size.

You can get 18" wheels that weigh less than 16"s but you gotta pay for it.

 

Similar to what honda pilot is saying, a 16" wheel may help provide better handling if it is wider. For example, if you get a 15" x 5" wheel, it won't handle as well as a 16" x 7" wheel because each wheel has an extra two inches of tire touching the pavement.I however dont think 16" wheels are rice, at all. Nothing wrong with mixing some good style with performance. The advantages of having a 15" wheel over a 16" wheel will not be enough to justify your personal opinions, especially if you like the looks of a 16" wheel better.

 

With wheels of the same model, weight directly corresponds with size.

 

Which is pretty much what I implied. Editted it to make more sense

 

But what if you want big brakes then, you need 17" usually. Like a Brembo Gran Turismo setup. I personally have 14" steels painted satin black because thats all I can afford at this point, but because I am starting to do track days I want to upgrade to bigger brakes later on like the above mentioned Brembos. Is a 17" rice then. If you get them for a purpose not just the fact that they look sweet?