Going From 16" to 17" Alloys?

[m4rk1988]

Hi,

Finally getting round to getting a new set of wheels after I broke one on a curb LAST winter!
Seat were going to charge £180 without a tyre for one wheel, and I haven't managed to find one elsewhere so i've decided to get a new set.
If I go to 17" would it affect the ride much? Also would I have to be much more carefull of potholes and curbs etc?
The bloke at Revolution seemed to think I would be much better off putting 17s on, I was originally just after 16s.
I'm thinking of going for Wolfrace Triads.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark.

 

[CJRamze]

Not sure why he said you'd be "Better Off" with 17's, Maybe it'd look better but your probably going to be looking at a lower profile tyre which means increased road noise.

 

[Lippo]

It's a slightly harsher ride as the tyres have less height. I've just gone from 16" to 17" and there isn't really much difference at all. In fact, it holds the road better because the tyres are wider. It's worth doing.

 

[m4rk1988]

Not sure why he said you'd be "Better Off" with 17's, Maybe it'd look better but your probably going to be looking at a lower profile tyre which means increased road noise.

First thing he asked was "why do you want to put 16's on?" He said 17's were a much better deal, much larger choice of wheels and the tyres will be cheaper to replace.
Not sure what to do now, I don't want 17's if I will need to be carefull with potholes and curbs and have more road noise and a harder ride, it doesn't seem worth it.

Think i'll look at 16's again, but if anyone else has any thoughts on the effects of jumping for 16's to 17's, i'd be happy to hear them.

Thanks.

Edit: Thanks Lippo, do you think something like bumping up a curb too fast could damage the rim with a lower profile tyre? I bump up a curb every day onto the driveway, thanks.

 

[AndrewJB]

I Went from 15's to 17's Running 205/40/R17 Tyres


With 17's you get ALOT more road Noise and also Feel every Pothole

 

[Lippo]

First thing he asked was "why do you want to put 16's on?" He said 17's were a much better deal, much larger choice of wheels and the tyres will be cheaper to replace.
Not sure what to do now, I don't want 17's if I will need to be carefull with potholes and curbs and have more road noise and a harder ride, it doesn't seem worth it.

Think i'll look at 16's again, but if anyone else has any thoughts on the effects of jumping for 16's to 17's, i'd be happy to hear them.

Thanks.

Edit: Thanks Lippo, do you think something like bumping up a curb too fast could damage the rim with a lower profile tyre? I bump up a curb every day onto the driveway, thanks.

It depends what tyre you put on. The 205/40/17's just about cover the rim so there's no protection at all. I've got a couple of 215/40/17's on the back and they are much better. They protrude about 3/4" over the rim giving good protection.

I honestly haven't noticed any increase in road noise cos the streo's always on. I suppose it stands to reason that more noise will be created because there's more rubber in contact with the ground. The ride isn't very different at all. It is slightly harsher but it's certainly not enough to put you off. They're the bad points. The good points are that it looks so much better and it handles better. They far outweigh the bad points!!

 

[Mary Hinge]

You may get increased grip with larger wider tyres, but you also get more rolling resistance. Your speed and mpg will be improved with narrower smaller wheels/tyres, wider may look better but personally I'd go for a better ride, better mpg and more pace over aesthetics any day.

 

[GlanzaV]

I'd go for a better ride, better mpg and more pace over aesthetics any day.

That's a dubious statement... I'd rather have a lighter wheel and better tyre (which you can have in 17" over OEM 16") which will both reduce rotational mass and depending on tread pattern can increase fuel economy, also reducing the tyre profile will maintain an almost OEM rolling radius so your speedometer etc shouldn't be affected as much.

Have a play around with my bro's tyre sizer, you can see what affect it will have from your standard tyre dimensions

 

[Aimez]

Have to say what others have said I have a post in off topic at the mo about low profile tyres an wheel damage! I am going to go back to my standard 16s I think as my wheels are being destroyed by pot holes especially at this time of year the road are in their worst state. I have not kerbed my wheels once which I would be proud of but the sunken drain covers and crater s in the road have damaged my wheel several times now and I am very pissed off after making sure not to curb them and having saved up to get them powder coated and 4 new tyres on. I very strongly recommend you stick with 16s if you are worried about ride and road noise if you were only bothered about looks and performance then I'd say get 17s.

 

[wedgie27]

Recently gone from 16's to 17's and the road noise is a little louder but it's hardly noticable.....my mpg has dropped a tad too but b*llocks to that as it's made the car much better lookin IMO so it's well worth it!!

 

[m4rk1988]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm going to stick with 16's.
I think 16" is a decent size for the car anyway, and I don't want to be worrying about drains/potholes etc.
Also if I went to 215 tyres, would I be right in saying they would be worse in snow? I was under the impression that fat tyres are bad for snow.

Think i'm going to go for the Dezent RB Darks.

Mark.

 

[Aimez]

Sounds like you made the right decision for you as, wedgie27 is right looks much better love the way mine looks but after a year and the wheel are now not looking so pretty it is heartbreaking that I spent all that money and they are getting ruined!

 

[wedgie27]

Unfortunately wear and tear is a part of life......you dont buy a car expecting it to stay free from stone chips etc for its time whilst in your possession, so you gotta expect the same for your wheels....bigger wheels do look better but it's your car mate.......so your decision!! Get some 16s that no-one else has....make your car an individual! I did and I love it!

 

[Aimez]

Well not in this case I had my standard wheel on for years no problem had these on 12 months and lots of problems cos of lack of protection with these tyres so much much more likely to get damaged as they have.

 

[Ad Lav]

I'll have the tyres Aimez lol

 

[Aimez]

lol Not doing anything about this yet until the tyres wear out at least and then I will stick the standard ones back on and wear them out which won't take long!

 

[Ad Lav]

Start dodging then... do you know the 5 D's of dodgehole?

 

[Aimez]

Start dodging then... do you know the 5 D's of dodgehole?

No?

 

[wedgie27]

Women drivers eh!!

 

[Aimez]

Yeh you are so funny after I said I have not kerbed any of my wheels! I work with male mechanics everyday and hear women jokes almost everyday so zzzzzzzzzzz!