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

[nikitopo]

Sidewalls can be as stiff in a 16" tire. You are looking in the wrong category of tires. Check in the UHP category or upper and you'll find many choices. Otherwise, just select a touring eco category tire and call it a day. There are plenty of tires in this size too. Don't be so naive by searching performance tires exclusively in the 18+ inch marketing driven category.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by churchx

But it's not false belief that tires over latest few decades have improved immensely. And they keep improving. Pair that with tire manufacturers releasing new models in bigger sizes only .. We are not putting diagonal cord tires with white sidewalls on 13" wheels on ours anymore or considering that they will outperform modern tires? One needs to drive a line somewhere, where pros of smaller wheels outperform cons, and from where trying to stick with smaller wheels is less optimal choice with cons starting to outweight pros.
Also not sure if race car argument can be used much. After all, many races use not street legal tires of very low threadwear, so hardly considerable outside pure racing. And then there are several race types with regulated mono-tire. Again, how it's applicable if you want to choose best available in certain tire class and not being forced to specific selection?

True racing and DD have different demands. But let’s be honest most pick size for looks. So many cars with 18s that look great but drive rough on the crappy roads we have here in the northeast. San Diego and Florida that have no salt and winter, have nice smooth roads which make 18s more livable, if not better.

I will stick with 17s plenty of wheels and good tires, why spend more for 18s. If I was competing I would certainly consider a 16 setup if it was lighter than a 17.

[new2subaru]

You get a much better ride on crappy roads with a higher sidewall. 205/55 R16 and 225/50 R16 are what I run.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by churchx

But it's not false belief that tires over latest few decades have improved immensely. And they keep improving. Pair that with tire manufacturers releasing new models in bigger sizes only .. We are not putting diagonal cord tires with white sidewalls on 13" wheels on ours anymore or considering that they will outperform modern tires? One needs to drive a line somewhere, where pros of smaller wheels outperform cons, and from where trying to stick with smaller wheels is less optimal choice with cons starting to outweight pros.
Also not sure if race car argument can be used much. After all, many races use not street legal tires of very low threadwear, so hardly considerable outside pure racing. And then there are several race types with regulated mono-tire. Again, how it's applicable if you want to choose best available in certain tire class and not being forced to specific selection?

I have no idea what point you're trying to make here...

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

True racing and DD have different demands. But let’s be honest most pick size for looks. So many cars with 18s that look great but drive rough on the crappy roads we have here in the northeast. San Diego and Florida that have no salt and winter, have nice smooth roads which make 18s more livable, if not better.

I will stick with 17s plenty of wheels and good tires, why spend more for 18s. If I was competing I would certainly consider a 16 setup if it was lighter than a 17.

See, I disagree that 18s look good on these cars. They look clownish to me, like a 14 year old kid drawing a car. Tires need some sidewall to look like real tires...

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by venturaII

See, I disagree that 18s look good on these cars. They look clownish to me, like a 14 year old kid drawing a car. Tires need some sidewall to look like real tires...

I agree. 17s look perfect IMO. 16s look great too. 18s look like a mid 2000s concept car.

[grumpysnapper]

Originally Posted by churchx

But it's not false belief that tires over latest few decades have improved immensely. And they keep improving. Pair that with tire manufacturers releasing new models in bigger sizes only .. We are not putting diagonal cord tires with white sidewalls on 13" wheels on ours anymore or considering that they will outperform modern tires? One needs to drive a line somewhere, where pros of smaller wheels outperform cons, and from where trying to stick with smaller wheels is less optimal choice with cons starting to outweight pros.
Also not sure if race car argument can be used much. After all, many races use not street legal tires of very low threadwear, so hardly considerable outside pure racing. And then there are several race types with regulated mono-tire. Again, how it's applicable if you want to choose best available in certain tire class and not being forced to specific selection?

Its true tyres have improved over the last few decades and continue to improve, but that also includes 16" tyres.
Remember too that many of those so called "improvements" have been to try and replicate the (often) more progressive lateral grip transitions and ride characteristics of a more realistic side wall.
The other major "improvements" are producing massive diameter tyres that can also cope with the bloated overweight SUV sports barges with ludicrous power outputs.
Its hardly surprising that tyre manufactures are only making larger rim diameters in their extreme performance tyres.... a 488 Pista or a Mclaren 720s might be able to use their inherent capabilities...but how many 800hp, 800 NM @3000rpm, active aero, mega suspended, developed at any cost, road car BRZ/86's are there?
The reality is that the twins were not designed for maximum mechanical grip...in fact in my street at the moment is a brand new Volkswagen Caddy delivery van that came delivered with Michelin Primacys...

[Berserker]

I can't remember if I have posted my set up here or not but lehgo

BBS 16x6.5's from a JDM Legacy Spec B. I use these for my entry level "Drag set up"

Fitted with a 245 NT555R out back for the hook & book

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Berserker

BBS 16x6.5's from a JDM Legacy Spec B. I use these for my entry level "Drag set up"

Fitted with a 245 NT555R out back for the hook & book

Sorry to go OT a little bit here, but I have the NT555R in a 245/45R17 on some wheels. Do they feel squishy to you? I haven't gotten to drive mine yet and I'm curious if I should have a second set of Azenis for the times when I'm not going to care about wheel spin.

To be on-topic, I run 16" wheels for my winter tires and love them. The ability to run a thinner tire with more sidewall is awesome

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Sorry to go OT a little bit here, but I have the NT555R in a 245/45R17 on some wheels. Do they feel squishy to you? I haven't gotten to drive mine yet and I'm curious if I should have a second set of Azenis for the times when I'm not going to care about wheel spin.

To be on-topic, I run 16" wheels for my winter tires and love them. The ability to run a thinner tire with more sidewall is awesome

When you say squishy as in really soft when say putting your finger nail into the rubber? If so then Yea that's the nature of them They are rating at 100 treadwear. They are a much softer compound versus the normal NT 555 G2's which are I believe up near the 300 Treadwear rating. If you have the G2's on the front and the 555R's out back then the difference between them is pretty big.

Now if you are referring to my 16x6.5's with the 245's being squishy then yes again due to the narrow wheel and the side wall bulge hanging over the lip of the wheels. Going straight this isn't a issue or concern but if you had a square set up on 16's with bulge & you are road racing or hard corner carving then you would have a lot of side wall flexing imo. If I push on the side of my car standing still the tires will flex a bit & the car will wiggle.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Berserker

Now if you are referring to my 16x6.5's with the 245's being squishy then yes again due to the narrow wheel and the side wall bulge hanging over the lip of the wheels. Going straight this isn't a issue or concern but if you had a square set up on 16's with bulge & you are road racing or hard corner carving then you would have a lot of side wall flexing imo. If I push on the side of my car standing still the tires will flex a bit & the car will wiggle.

The wheel floating in the middle of the tire is mostly what I was referencing, yes. I wasn't sure how noticeable it was for you when turning on these.
Mine aren't pinched so it should be better ( I also think my sidewall profile isn't quite as extreme) Thank you, I was just curious. I can't wait to feel them dig in! All of my experience with my turbo setup has been on winter tires. It'll be nice to be able to have the car grip.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

The wheel floating in the middle of the tire is mostly what I was referencing, yes. I wasn't sure how noticeable it was for you when turning on these.
Mine aren't pinched so it should be better ( I also think my sidewall profile isn't quite as extreme) Thank you, I was just curious. I can't wait to feel them dig in! All of my experience with my turbo setup has been on winter tires. It'll be nice to be able to have the car grip.

Funny thing is around town I don't notice any flex feeling but I am also not trying to push super hard around the corner's on that wheel / tire combo. You will be happy to actually be able to put some power down

If you have a 17x8 or 9 that 245 will sit nice on there.

[Bunny]

I'd like to thank everyone that contributed to this thread. I helped my girlfriend buy a Scion FR-S last year. She's always loved the appeal of the car, but eventually came to realize she wasn't a fan of the handling. For the last year, she's complained about how much the car shakes on the road. She wanted the sporty look with the luxury comfort.

I discovered this thread a few months ago and ended up convincing her to experiment. The smaller wheels and bigger tires made all the difference she needed to feel content.

Here's what she got if anyone is interested:

https://www.tourenwheels.com/wheels/tr60-blackred-ring/

https://m.tirerack.com/tires/tires.j...!&gclsrc=aw.ds

[WolfWings]

Originally Posted by Bunny

I discovered this thread a few months ago and ended up convincing her to experiment. The smaller wheels and bigger tires made all the difference she needed to feel content.

205/65R16 is a size I'm seriously considering, having run 205/55R16 for the first 2 years and change of my own Toyabaru. No rubbing issues at that size I take it? I love the look TBH.