I have a 96 Accord and my 17 inch rims are bent from potholes since I live in NYC. I was wondering can i go with bigger tires on the 17's to avoid a new set from being bent also. Or would I have to go to a smaller wheel perhaps a 16 inch to get the bigger tire? If possible with the wheel well being so big on my Accord could I go with an 18 inch and a meatier tire? The thing is im also looking for a comfortable ride regardless of the size of the wheels and tires....So is there anything else I could do besides altering the wheels to increase the smoothness of the ride?

 

you can go with meatier tires with a big diameter rim, but that will increase your overall diameter and that will affect your gear ratios (effectively making your overall ratio taller), throw off your speedodometer, and risk fitment and rubbing issues. so in short its not a good idea. the only way to get meatier tires is to step down in rim size.

as tire sidewall size decrease the ride quality will suffer a correspodning amount since you have less tire to 'cushion' the road imperfections. the best thing you can do to retain a good comfortable ride is to just keep the stock suspension since any lowering spring will have increased spring rates and will contribute to a more rough ride.

 

Okay I see what your saying as far as the tires but when it comes to the suspension would it be a bad idea to get a coilover set (possibly Tein Type BASIC Damper) or gas shocks as a replacement. My original suspension equipment has about 150k on it and im looking to replace it. If I decide to keep my 17's what would be a good size for my tires? Im currently driving on 205/45z/17's. And if you wouldnt suggest keeping the 17's and going with perhaps 16's what would be a good size for those tires?

 

what kind of driving are planning on doing with your car? if you just want a lowered stance than a coilover is probably a waste fo money. a set of lowering srpings like tein's s.tech paired with a quality set of shocks such as KYB GR-2s will retain a close to stock ride quality and give you a subtle drop. as far as tire size goes for a 16inch wheel you have the options of 205/50, 215/50, 225/45

 

I noticed you are about the only one who posts (like me) and seems to believe "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

It's good to know there's someone else who keeps their car closer to stock, that's what I get from your posts. Keep it that way- it will still be running when 99.9% of all cars the same age are long dead and buried.

 

I run 16 inch wheels with a 50 series tire, however I do this because my car is close to 3 inches lowered. I think a nice meatier tire, and maybe check your springs to see if they have sagged.

 

Im pretty sure that my springs have sagged so Im most likely going to replace it with the coilover set...but as far as the wheels if I stick with the 17s and lower the car about an inch do you think it would be a good ride with about a 55 series??? and what about rubbing would there be a big issue with that?