Hi,

Pondering replacing my AP1 wheels as they're a bit tatty. Currently deciding on 17s vs 16s. Plenty of options and examples for 17s, but what about 16s?




Slipstream are the only ones I'm considering at the moment, what else is out there in the right fitting at $1200 or less?




Just hunting for ideas at the moment

 

Honestly not a lot of options and not a ton of tire choices either. I always suggest going to 17's just for the better range of options and better tire options as well. There is also the JDM BBS optional wheels but its a lot of money for very little gain. They are super light though.

 

Some times, a nice set of OEM AP-1 just look so damn good. Maybe flush them out a little bit w/ some spacers.....

Maybe get your AP1s refinished or sanded down and media blasted.

 

this is just me BUT i think the AP1 suspension and all the other components were designed around 16" wheels. Just get some nice sticky tires like the oem so2's and you will be just as good if not better than going to 17" IMO...

I'm going with RE-11A's $530 delivered for all 4.

 

Enh I think the narrow wheels hurt the ap1 suspension. The car is begging for more grip in the rear due to how the suspension is biased and while good tires helps a lot wider good tires help even more.

 

If you want to modernize the car and get the most out of it, moving to 17 is what's required. Nothing wrong with 16's, they make great winter wheels paired with winter tires if its your only car.

 

I'm not specifically for 16s over 17s - I'm just fishing for ideas.

 

I went to the Tire Rack site and found tons of wheel and tire options in either size -- in all price ranges. But if you went with 17" wheel, I think you would have to go to a lower sidewall aspect tire to keep the wheel diameter the same. All else being equal, this would result in a bit rougher ride -- which my S2k does not need.

 

Plenty of good 16" tires available for the AP1, including ZII, RE11A, AD08R, RS3. On the street, no real benefit to wider tires IMO, in fact skinnier tires will be closer to optimal operating temps more of the time. Hence I run OEM size 16s on the street. I've run 225/245 16" track tires as well due to stock class rules in the club I time trial with. Not planning to go to 17s any time soon...

 

The only problem I've found with using 16" 245s with the stock '01 wheel is that the ones I got were too wide at the attachment to the tire to hold air well. Just very slow leaks, but a PIA. So when I changed those out, I looked for a 225 with the greatest tread width (they aren't all the same). Much better now.