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I was just wondering if i were to leave the stock 16inch wheels and get wider, higher perormance tires, would it be worth the time, or should i just get the wheels and tires? I will soon be getting an "eibach drop", by that i mean springs but it sounds cool to say it that way. Even if i get the wider tires it will most likely be temporary, but i have a kid on the way, taking a plunge into married life and because of these i am trying to save a couple bucks.
Posted by: The Reaper
I don't know much about LS sizes, but typically you can only go a couple of tire size numbers bigger. There is a point where the tire will be too wide to mount on say a 7 inch wide wheel. And even if you manage to talk a tire shop into mounting too wide of wheels on oem tires, you're asking for the good chance of that tire popping off the Rim (the bead, lip, etc of the wheel). I, for one, wouldn't be crazy about a tire popping of the wheel at highway speeds.
Just do it right the first time and wait until you get the wider wheels. Unless you have a death wish, which I could understand, having a kid on the way and all.
Posted by: styledyversatyle
Ha Ha I am actually looking forward to it i just found out to day that it is going to be a boy. But thanks for the advise, i will wait
Posted by: NateRW21
about the best you can do is a 245... might be able to hit 255, but the chances are you'll rub. I can't tell you who makes what, but... these are your options:
245/55 R16 (very close to original height)
245/50 R16 (a little bit shorter, would help prevent rub)
255/50 R16 (very close to original height)
255/45 R16 (a little bit shorter, would help prevent rub)
You should have I believe 225's stock, so you're only moving up in section width a little less than 1 inch (1"=2.54cm), and due to your small wheel and taller sidewall that will not equate to 1" gain in tread width. Section width (the first three numbers) are a measurement of the width of the tire at the WIDEST POINT. Tires balloon out; the more sidewall you have, the more there is to balloon out. The key thing to remember is that for handling, width isn't your biggest factor to tight handling. It's sidewall flex and tread design that are the two most important factors. Having a shorter sidewall will result in improved steering response and better feel of the road.
Taking all of this into consideration... you need to ask yourself how long you intend on running the stock wheels and how soon you need new tires. If you're due new tires in short order and you would like some wider tires for a little enhanced grip (don't expect handling from this) then go ahead. But don't go with a cheaper tire so you can afford a wider section width. The tread pattern and compound is more important than the 1/2 you'll gain in actual tread width. If you've got some time before you need new tires, just run what you've got and save that extra change so you can replace your tires when they need it with new tires AND wheels; go with a 17" or 18" and throw on some 245's... THAT WILL make a noticeable difference. (if 17" is good enough, keep an eye on e-bay for factory 17" wheels in a set; should get them pretty cheap)
