I just got an 06 xb and no nothing about aftermarket wheels and tires but would like to get some. Can someone please tell me if the larger wheels/thinner tires effect the feel or performance of the xb' ride? would 18s' or 19's feel the same as the stock wheels? bumpier ride? Also, I like the look of the Motegi D6', do people get the same size all around or do they get larger in back? Sorry if these sound like dumb questions, but I know nothing about the wheels other than they look cool. MRPC

 

ok here are a few tid bits

the width of the wheel will affect your feel in turing the steering wheel, the wheel would feel a little heaver

the overall size of the wheel really depends on the weight of the wheel, a really heavy wheel will make your car a tad bit slower... where as a lighter wheel would make your feel as your a little quicker... i know how this ffeels personally (trust me going from chrome 19's to steelies make a difference)

your car is gonna have to work harder for heavier rims... so expect your gas mileage to go down a little... as to where it would take less power to get lighter wheels going...

as the quality of the ride goes.... the smaller of a side wall your tires have the rougher a ride your gonna have on your car...

 

thanks for the reply. As for the Motegi D6' what size wheels/tires would you reccomend to someone who didnt want any or much loss in performance? thanks..MRPC

 

not to much loss in performance and a nice ride i would go with a 17 and try to stay away from chrome

 

How would you describe going from 19s to steelies? I've fallen in love with Axis TC Evos, which only come in 18 or 19. I'm not sure if I should try to talk myself out of 'em or not.

 

try bending one in an accident and waiting a month for the person who hit you insurance to come up with the cash for a rim, and riding on one steelie and 3 rims was not an option

but my chromies weighed ~46 a peice, with rubber and ready to roll it was ~55 a pop
the steelies with tires weigh 28 a pop

big difference, i felt like i had the bottle open at every redlight...

 

when the wheels were put on youre car they were put on by mathematical results, that also is cordinated with youre tranny, now a tranny is nothing more than gears cordianted to make youre car perform at its best. If you go with like 20's big mistake, why? because you make youre tranny work harder and are heavier, wich will take a toll on youre gas mileage, plus you have to modify youre fenders ( rolling youre fenders ) if not done right it will make youre fender s look ugly ( out of shape ) and you kill youre ride by making it soft. You will feel every rock on the road. My advice would be to go with 17'' 205/40/17 thats what I have on my ride a little bumpy but not to bad, you got to sacrifice a little, dont go more than 17''

 

Meh.

In order to maintain speedometer accuracy and near stock performance, it's important for the new wheel and tire overall diameter to closely match stock diameter.

Going to much wider wheels and tires can lead to clearance issues, and they're generally heavier than the stock setup.

Take either option too far, and acceleration will suffer.

Nifty calculator here-

http://www.americanracing.com/techce...Calculator.htm

Which will vary slightly from one brand to another.

Stock 185/60/15- 23.74" dia

205/55/15- 23.877

195/50/16- 23.677"

215/40/17- 23.771"

205/35/18- 23.649"

Lower profile tires & oversize rims generally give harsher ride, better turn-in and feedback, and are more easily damaged by roadhazards.. They're usually more expensive, too.

Whatever you do, get the same size all around, go with 6-7" rims and a +40 offset to stay in a reasonable range with no clearance problems...

 

Good tips Jhhnn, I like that calculator.

 

Good tips Jhhnn, I like that calculator.

 

Here's a better tire calculator that lets you compare up to 5 tire sizes at once.