Subaru, Legacy L, 15" or 16" tires? which ones to get.

[jsbush]

Is there any advantange in getting the subaru's 16" tires over the 15" tires?

Will gas millage be better on the 16"? How much more will the tires cost?
Will the tires wear out slower?


Thanks.

 

[Rallispec]

i would think the 16" would also be wider.. probably giving your more traction, and better looks.
However they'd more expensive when the time comes to replace them. If you're not worried about looks, the 16" will probably better for you.

 

[notfred]

get whichever tires fit on the rims of the car you're getting.

 

[jsbush]

The 16" tires are an option that come with mags, color key mirrors and fog lights for like 5$ more a month.


Just wondering if there is any difference between the 15's and 16's.


Thanks.

 

[Rallispec]

<< get whichever tires fit on the rims of the car you're getting. >>



i think he's talking about getting 15 or 16 inch rims, not tires. Personally i like the bigger ones myslef. I have 17" wheels on my car. Tires are a little more expensive but the added traction from the wider tire is real nice. And they look cool,.

for 5 more a month, nicer wheels and fog lights doesnt sound to bad. Fog lights are usually a pain to replace when they break though.

 

[MisterNi]

I checked out Subaru's website and couldn't find anything about 16" rims for the Legacy. But I'd say the 16" package would be costmetic since Subaru wouldn't change the diameter of the 16" tire+wheel combo too much, as with the weigt.

 

[jsbush]

Here are what the rims of the 16's look like.

 

[Rallispec]

there is a person here with a decked out legacy-- 16inch rims and all the other fixin's... looks really nice..

 

[MisterNi]

I say, unless you really like the way the 16" wheels look, and could really use the fog lights (and living in Canada might warrant the fog lights) then save your money because there'll be no advantage to ordering the package other than pure cosmetic reasons, and the 16" tires will cost more than the 15" equivalent.

 

[LAUST]

On a car you can't go wrong with either.... just as long as you stay away from those 14" cheapies on the lower models your good to go.

for me if I had the option I'd go for the 16 though, less unsprung weight.

The only time I like to stay kinda small wheels is on 4x4's... need that nice sidewall to allow flex... biggest I would go on a truck would be 17"

 

[aphex]

Im a fan of larger wheels & tires....

 

[MisterNi]

Actually, unless you're buying aftermarket rims that emphasize light weight, a 16" wheel+tire combo will problebly result in higher unsprung weight since 16" wheels are usually heavier than 15" wheels and lower profile 16" tires are usually heavier due to sidewall reinforcements.

 

[jsbush]

Ok now I'm all confused. What is "unsprung weight"?

 

[MisterNi]

It's any weight attached to the suspension not directly linked to the springs. A lower unsprung weight is desired since you have a more responsive suspension (less mass to move around). But if you're talking about the weight differences between a 15" and 16" tire/wheel combos, it's mostly academic, especially since you're problebly going to be racing on bumpy roads.

 

[jsbush]

Thanks for your info guys. The 16's seem nice since they are alloy wheels.