I want to get a new set of wheels and tires for my EP3. I am currently debating 2 things: whether I should get a 15 or 16 inch wheel and whether I should buy cheaper rims like Rotas or expensive rims that I really love like the TE37/CE28N.

My car is my daily driver, and has yet to see an autocross, but I've only had it for 6 months so that could change....regardless, I doubt it'll be seeing much autoxing. I go dragracing maybe 3-4 times a year, but other than that, my car just serves as a spirited daily driver.

I am trying to save money for Volks, but it is tough coming up with $1600+ worth of discretionary income as a student. This is where I get sidetracked and start thinking about cheaper rims. Will I be able to tell the difference between an 8-9lb Volk wheel vs. a 12-13lb Rota rim? If there is indeed a noticeable difference, I might just tough it out somehow and get the Volk rims...

This sort of ties into the other question of whether I should go with a 15 or 16" rim. I was originally thinking of getting an extremely light wheel, but if that isn't going to be of much use to me, I'd consider getting a 16" wheel. Do you guys think I should stay with a 15" wheel/tire combo or just get the 16"

I'd appreciate all input from you guys, and my decision will most likely be based on the feedback.

 

I've got an EP, and I use my car basically exactly the way you do. And from my judgment, I'm going with some 17" Rotas. The Rotas due to the fact that I'm also a student and can't come up with the cash needed for some expensive rims, but 17" are perfect for daily driving, especially since you won't be autoxing or racing much. They're not too big for our cars at all either (given that the CTR comes with 17" stock) and also look great on our EPs. I think it's a great size that looks good, and performs well without being too big for daily driving usage. I'd considering 17" if I were you. And about the Rotas or Volks, that's just up to you. If you got the cash, get the Volks. If not, just get some Rotas like what I'll be doing.

 

I think 17s are too big by any measure. Not to mention your tires are gonna cost a pretty penny. I've definitely ruled out 17s. Too big, too heavy, tires cost too much.

 

Unless you're in it for some semblance of bling, or have the extra money, there's
nothing wrong with Rotas/cheaper rims. I too would love a set of Volks...but there's
no way I'd pay for them unless they provided me with some huge performance
advantage (which I personally don't think they do).

As for 15v16, it's up to you. I think most 16s might be offered in a wider size
than most 15s, though, so that's something to think about. Also, 17s shouldn't
be that much of a difference, both weight and price wise. I had a set of 17" Rota
Tarmacs on my WRX - something like $1000 shipped with Kumho Ecsta 712s (which
lasted 20K miles and were still going strong).
Oh, don't forget you can probably opt for some real lightweight Rotas/other rims
if that's what you're looking for. I don't think the weight of wheels really affects
performance all that much - it does, obviously, but to the point of being
noticeable...I just don't know. Now if it's 22s you're talking about...heh.

 

Sorry, but it sounds a bit weird that you've ruled out 17s of any chance, when you're considering 16s. There's not enough difference between the two to begin with, and yes, they're heavier - but only a bit heavier, than 16s, or even 15s. But the fact that you said you drag race 3 to 4 times a year, and hardly ever autox, the negligible difference in weight shouldn't even matter. The costs of 17s are only a bit more than the smaller wheels if you're going to go with Rota. The cost of the tires and wear are also very negligible compared to 16s. I just don't see why you've ruled out 17s, yet are considering 16s when you drive your car the way you do.

 

17's are ok if you're after the bling-bling, but that's it. 17's offer no advantage over a 16" or 15" rim whatsoever on an ep3. Unless you need massive wheels for massive brakes (and massive brakes are not needed on the ep3), then it's a waste IMO.

16" and 15" rims offer more tire selection, lower cost tires, more sidewall for pothole avoidance, a better ride, etc.

And if you are a poor college student, then get the cheaper rims. Especially if you are not going to autox or anything where the lighter wheels will show their performance advantage.

 

cheaper tires for 15" was a BIG reason why I went that route.

you can get 225/50/15 tires for well under 100 bucks. a 225/45/16 are a bit more expensive, like 10-20 dollars more for the same type tire, but 17's are much more expensive.

 

just curious why a lot of ppl are pushing 225 width tires so much ? is it because they "grip" more - not really , maybe people think they grip more but in reality your contact patch is the exact same size in area as stock !! the only thing that changes is the shape of your contact patch - something to think about before plunking down more money for a wider heavier tire !

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arctic-k20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just curious why a lot of ppl are pushing 225 width tires so much ? is it because they "grip" more - not really , maybe people think they grip more but in reality your contact patch is the exact same size in area as stock !! the only thing that changes is the shape of your contact patch - something to think about before plunking down more money for a wider heavier tire !</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ummm....wider tire = more grip. It's just that simple. Why do you think people try to stuff the widest tires under their fenders when racing?

Same contact patch yes, but the shape of the contact patch is completely different with a wider tire. This different shape allows better cornering forces.

 

wider doesnt = more grip without more down force / friction

so instead of having a square shaped contact patch you will have a wide rectangle from side to side and narrow from front to back - but the area touching the ground is still the same.

to gain more grip you need to increase the force (down force) as well as the coefficient of friction (sticky tires)

 

one thing a wider tire does allow though is better heat distribution = greater operational range !

 

Put a 195 tire on a wheel and then an identical compound 225 tire on the same wheel and I guarantee that the 225 will be faster.

And not just on a roadcourse, and an autox course as well. Plus, the 225 will generate more lateral G forces.

Shape of the contact patch is the most important aspect.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...t.htm

 

i agree - with what your saying, in the corners etc if you have a wide / narrow contact patch and as you go through the turn you start to lose contact with the road - you lose less contact patch area compared to a big square or round contact patch - hence the higher cornering speeds etc

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by arctic-k20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just curious why a lot of ppl are pushing 225 width tires so much ? is it because they "grip" more - not really , maybe people think they grip more but in reality your contact patch is the exact same size in area as stock !! the only thing that changes is the shape of your contact patch - something to think about before plunking down more money for a wider heavier tire !</TD></TR></TABLE>

wait a second. . . who say's the contact patch is the same? if you get a wider tire + a wider wheel. . . you will certainly have a wider contact with no impact on the length of the contact patch if the overall diameter of the tire is the same. That means more area. But grip is determined by wieght on each wheel & contact patch. So when is more contact patch surface area important? when you are overloading the tire - during cornering, when a substantial amount of wieght transfers to one wheel. more contact patch = you can transfer more weight to that corner before it starts to overload and lose traction

You have more availible grip. Your suspension needs to be properly setup to use this grip during cornering. In a straight line, you can get better traction b/c more surface area = more static friction.

the only time when you really sacrifice grip is in the wet, b/c the increased surface area = higher tendency to hydroplane.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by anjapower &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think 17s are too big by any measure. Not to mention your tires are gonna cost a pretty penny. I've definitely ruled out 17s. Too big, too heavy, tires cost too much.</TD></TR></TABLE>

haha, you gotta be kidding me. You've been reading the ITR forum too much, methinks.

 

16's or 15's. I'd get 16's nice looking and a ok ride