Sooner or later, I'm going to need to purchase a set of autocross only wheels and tires for my 3100lb Accord. My stock tire size is 195/65-15, and the stock 15x6" steel wheels weight about 20lbs each.

I'm thinking I should go with 16x7.5" wheels, and either 205/55-16 or 215/45-16 Falken Azenis. They are releasing new tire sizes in the spring/summer of 2005, so I hope to get 225/xx/16 tires eventually.

This is the reasoning behind why I've decided to go with 16"

1. I can't find any 15x7.5" wheels with the offset+bolt pattern I need (4x114.3).

2. I've found a 16x7.5" wheel that weighs a little less than my stock 15x6" steel wheel for cheap.

3. I'll eventually want to go up to a 225 wide tire for my 3100lb accord. bad idea/waste of time?

4. 215/45-16 is much smaller than my stock diameter. 205/55-16 is .1" smaller than my stock diameter...

Normally, would a 225/xx/xx tire be too wide for a 7.5" wheel? My current 225/40-18 ES100s seem to fit nicely on my 18x7.5" wheels, but I think Azenis are wider than normal...

If I do end up going with the 16x7.5," should I go for 205/55-15, or 215/45-16 (which would be smaller than stock diameter, thus improving the gearing).


Modified by LX4CYL at 11:09 PM 1/30/2004

 

I'm guessing you're currently in STS? STX?

 

yes due to my dumb 18" wheels (I'll probably keep them for daily use since they're "pretty"). I also hope to do quite a few suspension mods, and stay in STS.

Obviously, I'll only start doing the mods after I've finally figured out how to drive thsi car. I'm still getting used to lift oversteer...

 

DON'T SPEND ANY MONEY ON MODS, SELL YOUR CAR AND YOUR HOUSE AND USE THE MONEY TO GO TO DRIVING SCHOOLS!



Just kidding.

I'd go for the 215's, and 16" isn't too tall at all considering you also have a lot more cheap choices for wide(r) wheels in that diameter.

Also consider the Kumho MX in 225/50-16.

 

lol, I'm making it a point to learn how to drive BEFORE I mod

In my case, how would you compare the 215/45-16 Azenis and the 225/50-16 Kumho MX? I know nothing about how good the MX is so enlighten me please

 

The MX is taller. It would be very similar to OEM height wise.

It'd be better in the rain, worse in the cold, better in hot weather, about the same for wear. All based on my experience with 15" sizes of both tires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SiLooksStock &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The MX is taller. It would be very similar to OEM height wise.

It'd be better in the rain, worse in the cold, better in hot weather, about the same for wear. All based on my experience with 15" sizes of both tires. </TD></TR></TABLE>

hmm, they'd only be used for autocross. I believe the MX does cost more than the Azenis. Should I start off with the Azenis, and maybe move up if I really want to when they wear out?

 

If you're not daily driving on them, I'd go for the 215/45's.

But the gearing "improvement" could get annoying on the street.

 

yes, def. not daily driven if the diameter doesn't match

 

Are you getting near 3rd at many events? If so, the 215/45 could push you over, and then you have to add heel-toe to the learning curve. If that's the case, I'd go with the 225/50/16 so gearing doesn't change dramatically. Also, you could change your wheels before the event and drive to it because the overall difference would be small (-.5%)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Steppin Razor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you getting near 3rd at many events? If so, the 215/45 could push you over, and then you have to add heel-toe to the learning curve. If that's the case, I'd go with the 225/50/16 so gearing doesn't change dramatically. Also, you could change your wheels before the event and drive to it because the overall difference would be small (-.5%)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I drive an automatic BTW (I do it for fun)

There aren't any Azenis in 225/50-16 right now, but they may make them in 2005. Should I go with the Kumho MX, or the Azenis with the smaller diameter?

 

yeah,
I have an accord with 16x7 with 43 offset running 205/55/16 azenis.
They are slightly larger than stock, and I get some fender run on hard corners. Looking forward to the 225/50's being released.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tomtom211 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah,
I have an accord with 16x7 with 43 offset running 205/55/16 azenis.
They are slightly larger than stock, and I get some fender run on hard corners. Looking forward to the 225/50's being released.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ah, I see you have a 5th gen Accord, so your stock tire size is 195/60-15, correct?

My stock tire size is is 195/65-15, so 205/55-16 is actually .1" smaller.

Is that why you're getting the rubbing, because the diameter is too large by .3"?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LX4CYL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I drive an automatic BTW (I do it for fun)

There aren't any Azenis in 225/50-16 right now, but they may make them in 2005. Should I go with the Kumho MX, or the Azenis with the smaller diameter?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oops. Back to remedial reading for me.
I'd go with the smaller diameter on an auto. With the car shifting when it wants rather than when you want to, I'd take the advantage in acceleration the smaller diameter gives.

[EDIT: the Kosei K1s in 16x7.5 should be a good 4-5lbs lighter than your stock wheels - and I would guess even lighter than your 18s]

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Steppin Razor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Oops. Back to remedial reading for me.
I'd go with the smaller diameter on an auto. With the car shifting when it wants rather than when you want to, I'd take the advantage in acceleration the smaller diameter gives.

[EDIT: the Kosei K1s in 16x7.5 should be a good 4-5lbs lighter than your stock wheels - and I would guess even lighter than your 18s]</TD></TR></TABLE>

hmm I couldn't find any info on what bolt patterns the Koseis came in. I do know that they made them in 5x114.3 16x7.5" but tirerack doesn't seem to have 4x114.3.

I hope to get the 16x7.5" Borbet Type Bs since they weigh 19.5lbs each (less than my stock steelies), and they're very cheap! ($105 each).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LX4CYL &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmm I couldn't find any info on what bolt patterns the Koseis came in..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Call tire rack - http://www.tirerack.com

 

will do, when i get the time

 

Will you use the wheels on the street? you mentioned autocross only wheels. So you could look into some custom steel wheels from Panasport or similar company. Even in steel they would be lighter than the stock wheels and you can have them built custom to your specs. I mentione steel for cost only. They make more expensive and lighter wheels as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MattG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Will you use the wheels on the street? you mentioned autocross only wheels. So you could look into some custom steel wheels from Panasport or similar company. Even in steel they would be lighter than the stock wheels and you can have them built custom to your specs. I mentione steel for cost only. They make more expensive and lighter wheels as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

no, they will be for autocross only...

yes, I looked at the diamond racing wheels, but I doubt they will be able to get a 5.5" backspace for a 16x7.5" wheel, not to mention that it will weigh more, and cost more than the Borbet Type Bs from tirerack ($105, 19.5lbs, 16x7.5"). Aren't the Panapsorts $300 per wheel?

I will definitely call Diamond, Tirerack, and Panasport just so I can be sure I've reasearched all options before I purchase the Borbets...

 

If you're going with the 215/45s, you could get away with a 16x7 wheel.
That gives you more options (Rota, Team Dynamics)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Steppin Razor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you're going with the 215/45s, you could get away with a 16x7 wheel.
That gives you more options (Rota, Team Dynamics)</TD></TR></TABLE>

true, but I've decided that I want 16x7.5" so I can have the option of eventually going to 225 like I have now.

If I decide not to, then I'll definitely go with 16x7 rotas

 

Go with 15" wheels, you'll find you have a wider range of tires in the smaller size ranges. I'm running 205/15/50's on 15x6.5 wheels right now. I've done the 16" route and hated it. Running 12lb wheels with Azenis for street, and Khumo Victoracer's for AutoX.