Downsizing RIM

[Goldenvodka]

I am looking to downsize my stock 18 inch rims to 16.

 

Looking to add extra comfort to my vehicle.

 

May I ask if downsizing can really bring in the following. Is it worth the effort and cost?

 

1) Quieter Ride

2) Less bumpy 

3) Better FC

 

Downsizing from  225/45/18 to 215/60/16

 

Edited June 27, 2016 by Lightsabre

[Hamburger]

save it and change car.

 

or

 

change to a altis with 14" rim & wheel combi

[Biglittlebean]

I am looking to downsize my stock 18 inch rims to 16.

 

Looking to add extra comfort to my vehicle.

 

May I ask if downsizing can really bring in the following. Is it worth the effort and cost?

 

1) Quieter Ride

2) Less bumpy 

3) Better FC

 

Downsizing from  225/45/18 to 215/60/16

 

1. Quieter? No difference for me when I upsized.

2. Can't feel the less bumpy part... but ride is more firm when cornering after upsizing my rims. 

3. FC is slightly better when my rims are smaller.  about 0.75km to 1km more per litre of petrol. 

[Watwheels]

I hardly come across guys who want to downsize their rims. To them it's bigger the better.

 

For me I stick to stock and I stick to the recommended tire pressure. Coz by increasing the rim size the wheel actually has the tendency of slipping and struggle with grip. As your rim size increase the tire wall decreases the ability for the tire to flex is reduced so is the grip between rubber and tarmac. You just look at motorsports the cars have small rims eg F1, wrc... only drifting competition cars use big rims so that they can loose grip and slide more easily.

 

If you want quieter ride you will have to get those quiet tires. But usually quiet tires the wet performance isn't that good. Tires are like that no such thing as all rounded performance. You want something you got to sacrifice another.

 

Do not over inflate the tires. A lot of car owners want to get low FC and over inflate the tire pressure. You will find that your tires are struggling with grip be it in the wet or dry. And you will also feel the that the ride is very harsh regardless of rim size. There will also be uneven wear on the tires.

 

If you find that the ride is too bumpy. Lower your tire pressure to see how it goes. Example 5-10kpa. As your tires runs there's friction and creates heat your tire's pressure usually expand and increases when you start driving. It can increase up to 10-20kpa.

 

That's why ppl who over inflate their tires too much they will feel that the ride gets harsher when they drive more. There are a lot of factors affecting what you mentioned. Changing rims is only one of them.

 

That's also why some car insurance company void claims when they see that the car owner has upgraded their rim size. Why cars would loose control during hard acceleration or hard braking. It's becoz of the rim size.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Watwheels

[Ahbengdriver]

dont downsize, it may affect driving feel.  stick with the spec and size of the rim that came with the car originally.  Best is stick to same rim also.  I used to be siao over aftermarket rims also for asthetics but I learnt that the stock rim is actually the best.    However if you die die must change, use another rim model from the same manufacturer.

[Goldenvodka]

Thanks for all the recommendation. Saved my pocket from breaking a big big big hole.. 

[Roberttan]

Thanks for all the recommendation. Saved my pocket from breaking a big big big hole..

just to share my POV

first of all , I think is good to know is your current size 225/45/18 os a upsize rim and tire ?

why 215/60/16 ? it could be your Original size ( stock from Car factory)

if above is valid, I wont consider you downsize

and by switching from 225/45/18 to 215/60/16 all 3 issue you concerned is likely to be truth 

some of the new car came with upsize rim and tires for  the car faster.

Pumping higher pressure within the car or tire manufacturers is acceptable But no over inflate ( refer to your owners manual  or tire label  

[Baal]

Always wanted to start such a thread...

 

Ya, ur rim could b plus 1 or 2 from oem. E.g., basic 215/60-16, standard 215/55-17, deluxe 225/45-18. All 3 sets are bout 660mm diameter. Pumped to recc pressure by manufacturer, the 16incher should acheive ur goals, to certain extent.

[Tigershark1976]

I am looking to downsize my stock 18 inch rims to 16.

 

Looking to add extra comfort to my vehicle.

 

May I ask if downsizing can really bring in the following. Is it worth the effort and cost?

 

1) Quieter Ride

2) Less bumpy 

3) Better FC

 

Downsizing from  225/45/18 to 215/60/16

Hi Bro, you need to check your factory spec, make sure the size you are downsizing is still within min factory spec. as for your question:

 

1) Quieter ride- reducing the width of the tyre from 225 to 215 means lesser contact with road surface so theoretically, lesser road noise. but do take note that, tyre noise also affect by material and design of tyres.

 

2) Less bumpy- confirm less bumpy if you maintain the correct pressure. from profile 45 to profile 60 is a huge increase, the side wall of low profile tyre is usually very stiff.

 

3) Better FC- Likely better FC, lesser contact with road surface= lesser resistant. but also depends on your driving style. Also take note that from 225/45/18 to 215/60/16, you overall tyre diameter is increased by 0.8%. Which means your FC is artificially reduced by 0.8% due to tyre size.

 

As for your question of cost and effort, hmm... in long term, it will be definitely cheaper to buy 16" high profile tyres vs 18" low profile tyre... but whether is worth the effort or not is very subjective.

[Goldenvodka]

Both the 18 and 16 I quoted are within manufacturer spec

[Bluestarz2]

Hi I will getting my Toyota wish, Like to find out is it necessary to upgrade the rim from 15" to 16"?

Will the FC decrease?

One of the tyre shop offer me to trade in my rim + tyre at $400. Is it worth?

[Roberttan]

Hi I will getting my Toyota wish, Like to find out is it necessary to upgrade the rim from 15" to 16"?

Will the FC decrease?

One of the tyre shop offer me to trade in my rim + tyre at $400. Is it worth?

trade in price $400 is it worth ? is subjective

some shop trade in high but must buy new wheel and tires from them

so you your wise brain to judge it