So I just tore up the side of my car on curb thanks to a pothole right next to the curb. Just turning a corner and my tire slips in and goes too close to the curb taking out the plastic side panel and scratching the hell out of my wheels. The tires look fine but the rims look bad. I've been thinking about moving up to 16s, just not like this.

What is the difference in handling between the 2007 Sport 15 alloys and a 16x7? I love the way the car handles but from what I read there's a better selection of tires with 16s. My tires don't have much longer left on them. I really like the style of these rims. Any feedback on this brand or the site? Any suggestions? The fit is so strange looking I'm not really sure what would look good but I know I like gunmetal.

 

im also gonna step up to 16s in a bit, once i have enoughhh moniess.

Shop Rota Rims, Konig Rims, Muteki Lug Nuts: JLB Motorsports

 

16s look much nicer on the car, however you'll be much more susceptible to pothole damage to the rims due to low pro tire. also you won't get as smooth of a ride with the harder sidewalls on the tires.

 

If you're looking into Rota's check out machiii.net for free shipping.

 

I have the Honda accessory 16” wheels. They are 16X6½ with 55-mm offset and weigh about 19-lbs each. The recommended tire for the 2007 – 2008 Fit is 205/45ZR16. These tires when new have a 1.2% error on the speedometer/odometer and a 2.0% error when worn away…the error is high (shows faster and further). I have since replaced them with 205/50ZR16 tires (used on 2009 – 2010 Fits). They show 2.0% low on the speedometer/odometer when new.

If you really do something good with the car, like improve the handling, the only wheel worth getting is the Enkei Racing & Tuning wheels. They weigh less than 14-lbs each. I wish I got those. Enkei Wheels : RPF1 Type 2 (Racing Series)) The RPF1 Type II wheels come in 16X7 with a 45-mm offset.

Here is a comparison of the Honda Accessory wheels with a 16X7 with a 40-mm offset.

 

do you have any rubbing issues running the 205/50/16 tires?

 

No...they are great! Right now I have the stock shocks, but I do have a set of Mugen 5-way adjustable suspesion to install when I have the time to do it.

 

Personally I always love riding around on 15's. Ive also never had a set of aftermarket wheels but those Konig Countersteer's look nice!

 

ewww rotas and konigs......but you don't really seem like someone who modifies too much so you;ll be fine

 

In what way is the ride less smooth? Is it a noticeable difference? If you never saw your wheels would you regret changing them? Do you feel more shock from the road or does it depend on the tires you choose? Do you get more road noise? I'm certainly looking to decrease the road noise so I'm looking at Michelin Pilot Exalto tires to replace these sad dunlops. They have pretty good ratings for grip, road noise, and wet road. The rims I want come in 15x6.5 so I can go either way.

For me, the extent of modding would be a new coat of paint and rims. I run a computer business so my car has a wrap on it and needs to look respectable though it draws a lot of attention. Because of that I don't want to go too crazy with my exterior... yet. Maybe when I'm ready to "decommission" my car I'll start doing more.

 

My poor car.

 

Yeah the ride is less smooth, but more aggressive and better handling. I feel more shock and do get more road noise. Normally I don't think it would be that bad of a trade off, but our car interior just gets SO noisy so easily. So much dash rattles. The tires I have right now on my 16's are these:

BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S

They're suppose to be pretty low on the noise but you can still tell a difference, maybe because noise reverberates through our little car so much. I plan to get 205/50/16 tires in the future to try and lessen these issues.

 

Thanks, thats great to know.

 

Wow! Thats a lot worse than you described. Sorry man, potholes suck!

 

Only when they are right next to a curb that's higher than normal. I honestly don't know why people want to make their car this low or lower to the ground. It's just asking for damage. I would almost like to raise the height a couple inches to get a safe clearing. I have too may scrapes on the sides and front.

 

I traded up from the stock 14s to 16s on my GD1. You'll definitely feel the road much more on the larger wheel/tire combo - wider rubber and less sidewall means the car "sniffs out" road acne and cambers.

You gotta be careful driving with low-profile rubber if you don't want to wreck your rims. In my experience, running on 205/45R16 tires, running over lots of little ridges and generally acne-ridden asphalt is fine. It's the big potholes that can break your sidewall and bend your rims.

I'd suggest sticking to the 15" size if maintaining comfort is a priority. Contrary to what you've posted, 15" is a much more common tire size - it's the 16" rubber that's an odd size and harder to find, at least here in Manila. Also depending on the wheel, 16" might already be too heavy for GDs to roll with, so if you're into minimizing your power loss/rolling resistance 15s are your best bet.

 

By the way to give you an idea...this is my GD1 on Rota Circuit 10s. The wheels are 16x7, +45 offset. The car is still at stock height.

 

man sorry to hear about your rims, but putting new rims on the fit is one of the best upgrades you can do.

 

You know, you might be able to talk to the highway dept in your city and make them pay for that. Potholes that deep should at least be filled with something temporary till the city decides to actually fix it. That totally sucks

 

I'm not sure if there's a better tire selection for 105/45R16. But I know 195/55R15 was popular back in the days, but not as much anymore as more cars come with bigger wheel/tire combos with larger circumference.

I have 14" steelies on my base, and run 15" EM1 rims except winter. my 14"s give better fuel economy, but everything else the 15" is better at. But I wouldn't go with 16" wheels from the GE. They look decent, but they're heavy.

And do check with your city about getting reimbursed. My friend's TT was damaged by a raised manhole, ripped the oil pan, the city paid for the damages, or at least the insurance deductible.