205/50/16 or 205/45/16?

[grampi]

I've decided to go with 16" wheels, but I haven't figured out if I should go with 205/50 or 205/45 tires. The wheels I've chosen (Enkei RS5) have a 40mm offset and I don't plan on doing any lowering of the suspension. The 45's might look a little better because of their slightly lower profile, but the 50's are closer to the OEM tire's diameter and they would probably look better in terms of filling the wheelwells. From what I've read in this forum, I don't think there's much chance of the 50's rubbing, given the offset of the wheels and the fact that I don't plan to do any lowering. Also, the 50's would probably ride a little better because of the taller sidewall. Any suggestions?

[kimona]

With a 40mm offset (and a 205), you'll be absolutely flush up front, so the gap will be pronounced. I'd definitely go with 205/50's to fill that gap as much as possible. 16x7's, ET40, 205/50's, no drop... don't worry, no chance of rubbing. And yes, the 50's will give you a better ride.

BTW, the Enkei RS5 is a nice wheel but will show a lot of brake! (The brakes on the Yaris are certainly nothing to brag about). Is that the look you want? Just something to think about before you jump.

[grampi]

With a 40mm offset (and a 205), you'll be absolutely flush up front, so the gap will be pronounced. I'd definitely go with 205/50's to fill that gap as much as possible. 16x7's, ET40, 205/50's, no drop... don't worry, no chance of rubbing. And yes, the 50's will give you a better ride.

BTW, the Enkei RS5 is a nice wheel but will show a lot of brake! (The brakes on the Yaris are certainly nothing to brag about). Is that the look you want? Just something to think about before you jump.

What do you mean the gap will be pronounced? I would think the gap should be slightly less pronounced than with the OEM tires and wheels (185/60/15), as the 205's are a bit wider and slightly larger in diameter. The gap looks just about right to me with the OEM tires and wheels.

As far as the brake parts showing, I was planning to dress up the brake parts a bit (I've seen some pics in here with red calipers and such, or painting everything flat black to make it almost non-noticeable. I've done the flat black thing with another vehicle I had and that actually looked pretty decent. While I am set on the 16" wheels as far as size goes, I am still looking at other wheels and am not totally set on the RS5's.

[nqd]

I'd definitely go with 205/50's to fill that gap as much as possible.

I agree i have 45's and the wheels looked so small until i got my teins after that it looked alot better!

[brickhardmeat]

205/50/16 will be your best choice but you need to lower it, that wheel gap is gross

[webomatics]

205/50/16 will be your best choice but you need to lower it, that wheel gap is gross

I agree with you, I had 205/45r16’s in my car with the NF210 an the wheel gap was too much, the car looked funny, needless to say I changed to 205/50r16’s and that gap went away, and I had the added bonus of a much better ride, and with the craters why have here in Jersey it had save me a lot of grief.

[grampi]

205/50/16 will be your best choice but you need to lower it, that wheel gap is gross

I'll probably just go with the 50's then, but there's no chance I'll be lowering the car.

[kimona]

The closer the wheels are to the outer fender lip, the more pronounced the gap appears. When the wheels are tucked, the gap never looks quite as obvious.

To keep the wheel/tire package more tucked, you'd have to go with a higher offset (ET42-45mm) and a 195/50/16 (JDM fitment).

[grampi]

The closer the wheels are to the outer fender lip, the more pronounced the gap appears. When the wheels are tucked, the gap never looks quite as obvious.

To keep the wheel/tire package more tucked, you'd have to go with a higher offset (ET42-45mm) and a 195/50/16 (JDM fitment).

There are some other wheels in the running, but I don't know what they're offset is yet. I'll do some research to see if any of them have a higher offset.

[kimona]

If you don't want to lower the car, then the gap could look kind of goofy... there's no doubt about that!

So, you may want to think about wheels with higher offsets, especially if you want to run 205's... which are definitely a good choice for fit and comfort.

Wheel fitment is an art! Unfortunately, unlike Japan (and places like Taiwan), we don't have many wheel choices, and even fewer available offsets here; it's kind of a one-size-fits-all aftermarket industry in the States. So, if you want to make your car look right, you really have to do your own research (and forget about what most of the aftermarket industry salesforce have to say).

Anyway, there are a bunch of 7's with ET42mm available, a few with 43mm, and a couple with 45mm.

Of course, when it comes right down to it, it all depends on the look you're going for... European, Japanese, Classic, New-age, Pimp-my-ride, ready-to-race...

[grampi]

If you don't want to lower the car, then the gap could look kind of goofy... there's no doubt about that!

So, you may want to think about wheels with higher offsets, especially if you want to run 205's... which are definitely a good choice for fit and comfort.

Wheel fitment is an art! Unfortunately, unlike Japan (and places like Taiwan), we don't have many wheel choices, and even fewer available offsets here; it's kind of a one-size-fits-all aftermarket industry in the States. So, if you want to make your car look right, you really have to do your own research (and forget about what most of the aftermarket industry salesforce have to say).

Anyway, there are a bunch of 7's with ET42mm available, a few with 43mm, and a couple with 45mm.

Of course, when it comes right down to it, it all depends on the look you're going for... European, Japanese, Classic, New-age, Pimp-my-ride, ready-to-race...

I don't think I'm quite following what you're saying about the gap. The 205/50's are wider and slightly larger in diameter than the OEM 185/60/15's, therefore, unless the offset of the factory alloys is way different than the aftermarket wheels I use, if anything the gap should be less than with the OEM's. Looks are completely subjective and what looks nice to one person may look totally wrong to another. That said, I think the gap of the OEM alloys and tires looks about right, so in turn the 205/50's should look about a right as well wihtout lowering the suspension. For what it's worth, the look I'm going for is classy without being gawdy. No racer-boy pimp-my-ride looks for me.

[brickhardmeat]

racer-boy-pimp ride hahahahaha

anyway, what is being said is by having a lower offest and the wheel poking closer to the edge of the fender the more the gap would be noticable than if the wheel has a higher offset and more tucked in look that's all, if you like the factory stance go for it, Toyota also offers sport springs for those who like stiffer suspension and all the advantages of lowered ride heigth

[grampi]

Another thing I like about the Enkei RS5's is you can purchase optional center caps for them as well. There's one that comes with a red stripe on them that I think will go well with my red Yari. Just a thought.

[kimona]

Hey Grampi,

I realize the 205/50/16's are slightly larger in overall diameter than the stock tires; however, I can only repeat what I tried to say before and what brickhardmeat reiterated above. The more you push the wheels out, the more pronounced the gap appears... even with that slightly oversize tire.

Wheel gap becomes more obvious too when you have more wheel and less tire (sidewall). For example, (without lowering the car) the gap with 17's would look more goofy, and goofier still would be 18's.

So, push the wheels out with low ET's, increase the wheel size, decrease the tire sidewall, and you get a more prononuced gap than you ever could have imagined when you were dreaming about how great those wheels would look on your ride!

Anyway, I don't want to burst your bubble, and it sounds like you're kind of committed to the RS5's (which are excellent wheels) and the 205's, so why don't you just go for it. Afterall, you're only talking about a plus 1 application with an acceptable wheel width and offset that will keep the setup at least flush with the outer fender up front.

Don't forget to post some pics.

BTW, grampi, with a little measuring it's easy to calculate where your new wheel/tire setup will sit in relation to your OEM setup.

And there are websites that can do all the calculations for you. Maybe another member can point you in that direction.

Just remember your OEM wheel and tire specs:

15x5.5, ET45, 185/60/15

16x6, ET51, 195/50/16

[grampi]

kimona54

Until you posted it, I didn't know the offset of the OEM wheels (is that for the alloys?), and I also didn't know there was a 16" factory wheel. All I've seen from the factory are the 14's, 15" steelies, and 15" alloys. I have seen the 18" TRW wheels, but those are aftermarket wheels.

The problem I'm running into with my wheel search is most places don't list the offset of their wheels. Of the ones that do, most of the wheels seem to have an offset of 42 or less. I haven't seen any higher than 42. Of the wheels I have chosen for consideration so far, I only know the offset of the RS5's. I'm going to have to contact the sellers of the others to find out what their offset is. What would be the highest offset that I wouldn't want to exceed? And no, I'm not for sure set on the RS5's, they are just the front runner at this point. I'm still looking at other wheels.

[kimona]

The following wheel and tire vendors list wheel offset:

Tirerack.com (with tirerack, once you view a wheel on your car, click on wheel name in left hand column to get the specs).
Discounttiredirect.com
Buywheelstoday.com

Please check them out to get some more ideas.

The OEM wheel specs above are for 15" steelies which I assume you have, and for the 16" alloys. The 16" OEM wheel isn't available here in the States. I'll try to find a photo and post it for you.

I think the highest offset you'll find Stateside (in a one-piece wheel) will be 45mm.

If you're not lowering, I'd probably go with a 16x7, ET45, and either 195/50's or 205/50's.

[kimona]

Hey grampi,

It's not a very good photo, but I was trying to find one for you quickly before I have to run, and while you were still online.

The first Yaris (white) has the 15" alloys that we all know. The second Yaris (silver) has the OEM 16's. Neither of these cars is lowered. This shot shows wheel tuck with OEM wheel and tire packages.

[grampi]

The OEM wheel specs above are for 15" steelies which I assume you have, and for the 16" alloys.

No, actually mine will have the 15" OEM alloys.

[grampi]

Of the wheels I've looked at so far, these are the two I like the best:

http://www.enkei.com/jpeg%20files/wheels/rs5-cap.jpg

and

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/product/wheels/hotred.sm.xl.jpg

I think it would be kind of neat to have Hotwheels wheels on a car many might consider a Hotwheels car because it's so small. I like the pun. However, I still think the Enkeis, with the red center cap that would match the absolute red on the Yaris would look very classy. However, I would have to do more brake dressing with the Enkeis as there is a lot of open area that would expose much of the stuff behind the wheels. Maybe I could go with some red calipers as well.

[brickhardmeat]

If you like the Enkei go with those. That is a nice, instant classic wheel in my opinion. The wheel is fairly light weight , strong, and a trusty brand. It does show a lot of brake but I wouldn't dress them up at all.

[grampi]

It does show a lot of brake but I wouldn't dress them up at all.

You'd just leave them ugly?

[brickhardmeat]

I would either buy a wheel that hides them a bit like I did, which also fit the style I am going for, or replace the brakes, or leave them alone. They are what they are dressing them up will make them look silly. That's my opinion. Enkei has come other options that may mask the brakes a bit more. The brakes are fine for this car , of course, we don't need anymore stopping power.

[kimona]

Well, the Hot Wheels Redline is surpisingly nice in person! The photo really doesn't do it any justice. And, yes, it would be "kind of neat" to put it on a Yaris! I would definitely put it on my car. If I recall, the centercap has a nice simple red and yellow logo, and the offset is 42mm.

If you email Discounttire as a new customer, they will email you a $25 promo coupon. If you call rather than order wheels online, you can get an additional discount on the wheels. And, shipping is included in all the pricing.

[grampi]

I would either buy a wheel that hides them a bit like I did, which also fit the style I am going for, or replace the brakes, or leave them alone. They are what they are dressing them up will make them look silly. That's my opinion. Enkei has come other options that may mask the brakes a bit more. The brakes are fine for this car , of course, we don't need anymore stopping power.

A few years back I had a '98 Intrepid on which I installed aftermarket wheels. Those wheels also showed a lot of brake. I didn't want to spend the money to purchase aftermarket brake parts just to dress up the looks, so I bought some flat black spray paint which was also a corrosion inhibitor. This makes the brake parts that would normally be visable without the paint virtually invisable. You really had to be looking for the brake parts to see them as the flat black hides them very well. I would probably do the same with the Yaris, depending on how noticeable the parts are.

[grampi]

Kimona54

I just looked at these wheels yesterday at a Discount Tire store in my area and I didn't see any colors on the center cap. It did have the Hot Wheels logo on it, but it was all just the gunmetal color. They definitely look better in person than in pictures though.

[kimona]

The Enkei's are nice wheels, and I like the center cap for a couple of reasons. First, it covers up a dual drilled wheel... which I have never liked. Second, the red stripe is a nice touch.

But, for me, the spokes are just too darn thin for the jellybean shape of the Yaris. I also wouldn't like all that brake showing... with those tiny drums at the rear!

[grampi]

The Enkei's are nice wheels, and I like the center cap for a couple of reasons. First, it covers up a dual drilled wheel... which I have never liked. Second, the red stripe is a nice touch.

But, for me, the spokes are just too darn thin for the jellybean shape of the Yaris. I also wouldn't like all that brake showing... with those tiny drums at the rear!

You wouldn't even be able to see the drums on mine after I spray painted them flat black. It's amazing how well the flat black hides that stuff. About the only thing you'd see is the front rotors, which obviously can't be painted.

[kimona]

Well, I think the car will still look like a fat little lady on 4" stilettos!

[grampi]

The problem is, I just don't care for the looks of the wider-spoked wheels. The widest ones I've seen so far that I actually like are the Hot Wheels wheels.

[kimona]

Well there you go... at least you've narrowed down your choices.

Good luck! I'll be looking for your pics with anticipation.

[brickhardmeat]

I'm not really sure why Grampi ask for other people's opinions.

Anyway...

decent deal on the RS5/tire package at edgeracing.com

[grampi]

Why does anyone ask for opinions? I never really asked for opinions about wheels, just tires, however the discussion ended up talking about wheels because of how the offset effects looks. I just thought I'd share which wheels I'm considering so far.

[kimona]

I think it was a great discussion, and alot of sharing of information. I hope it helped in some small way.