Anybody got 16 inch wheels on their FR-S /BRZ?

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by MacOverSteer

Well CF might be oem if carbon revolution get their way, jury's still out though. That article by enkei is pure advertising for their MAT tech, Cast vs lighter but weaker Cast = stupid. If the other rim was forged it would be 300 times more rigid, therefore utilizing a design with less spokes and less weight but just as rigid. Were talking liquid alloy cast vs 8000 ton press
Still having fun on my 16's

Liking the pic. Wouldn't say forged is more rigid, rigidity depends mostly on the design (geometry). However forged will be a lot stronger, actually meaning it would flex further under higher (impact) loads without cracking or permanent deformation.

[Mr.Impreza]

Great video explaining how the 16" wheel setup feels on our cars.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgMXNvu0eWI"]How the BRZ Drives on 16" Wheels - WR TV BRZ Spring POV Update - YouTube[/ame]

[blackstripe77]

How does the ride on 16" wheels compare to the stock 17s on Primacies over damaged pavement and manhole covers etc? I'm finding the ride a bit stiff/jittery on the stock 17s but I also hate balloon-shaped tires. Looking for some sort of middle ground, trying to decide between PSS in 225/45/17 or RE003/RE11 in 205/55 or 225/50R16. Do you lose turn-in sharpness on 16s? Thanks!

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by blackstripe77

How does the ride on 16" wheels compare to the stock 17s on Primacies over damaged pavement and manhole covers etc? I'm finding the ride a bit stiff/jittery on the stock 17s but I also hate balloon-shaped tires. Looking for some sort of middle ground, trying to decide between PSS in 225/45/17 or RE003/RE11 in 205/55 or 225/50R16. Do you lose turn-in sharpness on 16s? Thanks!

Going to 16's will definitely improve your ride quality, assuming you keep the same rolling diameter with your tires. In theory, the 16's will lose a little bit of steering response, but in reality, it's much more an issue of tire choice. If you stick with Primacys, then you might see a little less response, but I can't think of a real reason WHY you'd stick with Primacys when there are so many better tires out there...

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Going to 16's will definitely improve your ride quality, assuming you keep the same rolling diameter with your tires. In theory, the 16's will lose a little bit of steering response, but in reality, it's much more an issue of tire choice. If you stick with Primacys, then you might see a little less response, but I can't think of a real reason WHY you'd stick with Primacys when there are so many better tires out there...

You get vastly improved ride quality and much worse steering response with 16". Ideally the best size is a middle ground with 215/50 tires, but there's literally two tires available in that size for 16" and neither one seems worthwhile.

I'd say the stiffest possible tires like Bridgestones or Dunlops in 16" is probably the best choice. For my next set I'm getting 205/55R16 Kumho Ecsta 4X II. But I'm not a fan of traction

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by NissanGuy

You get vastly improved ride quality and much worse steering response with 16". Ideally the best size is a middle ground with 215/50 tires, but there's literally two tires available in that size for 16" and neither one seems worthwhile.

I'd say the stiffest possible tires like Bridgestones or Dunlops in 16" is probably the best choice. For my next set I'm getting 205/55R16 Kumho Ecsta 4X II. But I'm not a fan of traction

I'm using Kumho Ecsta XS 225/50-16, and I can assure you that the steering response is NOT worse than with the stock tires. Theory and reality are two different things. A bad alignment will kill response more than dropping to 16s will.

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by venturaII

I'm using Kumho Ecsta XS 225/50-16, and I can assure you that the steering response is NOT worse than with the stock tires. Theory and reality are two different things. A bad alignment will kill response more than dropping to 16s will.

True, the front toe-out is a gigantic help for steering response. Highly recommended, even if at the expense of highway straight line stability.

I actually did get the Prius tires in 16", though, and the difference is simply colossal for steering response. Kumho tires are among the stiffest brands AFAICT so a 16" Kumho ends up as a happy medium. I wish they made 16.5" wheels haha.

[churchx]

Prius tires? Or Primacies? IIRC even though called 'tires from prius', Primacies were stock tires only for some GT or something like that Prius trim (or was it 'official option'?), not really standard tires for all Priuses.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by NissanGuy

True, the front toe-out is a gigantic help for steering response. Highly recommended, even if at the expense of highway straight line stability.

That's my point; choosing the right tire and pressure and a good alignment will more than make up for the 1/2" of extra sidewall. I went with 0 deg toe up front (and very conservative camber), and run around 35psi on the street, and the response is great, and despite what popular internet info would have you believe, the 225s are not too wide for a 7" wide wheel. I autocross a few times a year, and the tires don't roll over like everyone says they will, the feedback and response is great, and the car rotates quite willingly. My wear is damn near perfect across the tread, and there's almost no difference in wear from front to rear. This car really works well with the extra sidewall on stock suspension.

[blackstripe77]

So I just found that the Potenza RE003 appears to have been introduced to the US as the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 if anyone was looking for a new UHP tire.

Also from reviews it seems like both the RE11 and PSS have pretty decent ride quality, despite the difference in weight, and the much stiffer sidewall on the RE11. Now just to decide whether to downsize, or try a new tire on my exiting 17s first... I was kinda hoping that the crappy ride was due to the Primacies, but looking more and more like 16s is also a good option for both ride and weight reduction! I can't imagine the steering response to be too much worse considering 16s were offered by the factory on some cars.

[why?]

Originally Posted by blackstripe77

So I just found that the Potenza RE003 appears to have been introduced to the US as the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 if anyone was looking for a new UHP tire.

Also from reviews it seems like both the RE11 and PSS have pretty decent ride quality, despite the difference in weight, and the much stiffer sidewall on the RE11. Now just to decide whether to downsize, or try a new tire on my exiting 17s first... I was kinda hoping that the crappy ride was due to the Primacies, but looking more and more like 16s is also a good option for both ride and weight reduction! I can't imagine the steering response to be too much worse considering 16s were offered by the factory on some cars.

Like was mentioned above, steering response and everything else will be more about the tire than the size. Figure out which tires you want to run, then find a wheel that they fit on.

For me that extra bit of sidewall height is wonderful. I haven't scraped on anything since I had the 16"s put on, and I don't really want to go back. But I will at least to use up the stock tires. Unless anyone wants to offer me a deal on the wheels and tires with only 3600 miles on them. lol.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by churchx

Prius tires? Or Primacies? IIRC even though called 'tires from prius', Primacies were stock tires only for some GT or something like that Prius trim (or was it 'official option'?), not really standard tires for all Priuses.

Not stock across on all models. Just the Prius Trim Level V, with 24lbs 5 spoke 17's.
(sooo heavy lol)

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

Not stock across on all models. Just the Prius Trim Level V, with 24lbs 5 spoke 17's.
(sooo heavy lol)

Some MINI wheels are 30+ pounds for 17s!

'Round these parts, 'Prius tires' means Michelin Primacy HP usually in 215/45R17. Yes, yes, sport package Prius.

[GT86_PRAGUE]

Do these fit the Essex Sprint BBK? Thanks.

Originally Posted by CSG David

16x7 T66-F