i want something bigger than 15's because if im going to spend a good amount of money i don't wan that feeling like "damn i should have got 17's"

but how much different will 16's look from 17's and how do i know what offset tire i'll need?

 

Don't forget, to go with 17s you will need a REALLY low profile tire to maintain the same tire diameter as stock, which means less protection for the rim when you hit things like potholes.

 

#1: Offset is not determined by the tire. It is determined by rim.

The measurement is in millimeters, from the centerline of the rim to the inside mounting face of the wheel hub. Any competent wheel retailer ought to be able to handle this issue. Their computer listing will indicate what offset is needed for a given make and model of car.

As an example, the 16 x7" wheels on my DC4 are a +40mm offset, and they mount directly to the hub without a spacer or longer wheel studs.

I posted a diagram illustrating the measurement a while ago. I'll see if I can find it. h:


#2: As far as tires go, here's the breakdown on sidewall height.
Since the stock DC2 wheels were 14 x 5.5" steel rims or 15 x 6.0" alloys, the OEM tire sizes were either 195/60R14 or 195/55R15, depending on which size rim was fitted.

For a 16" diameter rim, you'll want a 205/45R16 tire.
For a 17" diameter rim, you'll want a 205/40R17 tire.

Frankly, I would go no larger than 16" inches. The 205/45R16 tire size is widely supported, whereas the 205/40R17 is a bit of an oddball.

In the end, it's the tire that makes all the difference in how the car performs. I would invest in a setup that is common and benefits from the widest range of tire selections.

Also, even with a 45-series sidewall, the ride quality begins to degrade over rough pavement. With a 40 or 35 section sidewall it gets downright ridiculous.

Further damning the larger wheel sizes is the issue of wheel weight.
Given the same materials and construction techniques, the larger wheels will weigh more.

This translates into longer braking distances and slower acceleration times...as the brakes and motor have to alternately decelerate and accelerate a heavier wheel which carries more inertia.

 

Unless you get light weight rims The larger rim still weighs more, but a light rim can still offset the weight penalty. Larger tires also often weigh more, even though you techincally have less tire.

 

after reading up and looking at some pictures i have decided to go with 16 inch rims.

I can't seem to find anywhere with a really good selection but here are some of the ones i found so far

http://www.buywheelstoday.com/images/?id=2154

http://www.wheelmax.com/product.asp?ProdId=11315

http://www.wheelsnext.com/default.cf...color=GUNMETAL

 

www.machiii.net is a good place to get rims and a good price

 

The first one looks OK, but they look too much like fat fives, IMO. The second ones look like yet another knock off of the SW388 (which I really like); might consider Rota Slipstreams or Attacks if you like those. Third ones look OK.

 

1st set duhhhhhh god