Hi all, please forgive my ignorance. Unlike many on this forum, I will not be doing any modifications to my xB (with the exception described below and the purpose of this post). I am buying an xB because it is cost effective, hopefully dependable, utilitarian, and still unique in my area (and in the car world in general). As a bonus, I may be able topass it to the kids when they are driving age.

With that in mind, I am unfamiliar with customizing wheels and tires, which leads to the help I am seeking. The only thing I just don't like on these boxes are the stock wheels and hubcaps. The TRD upgraded wheels also are not my style either (chrome ....), so I decided to seek out new after market wheels. I will be keeping 15 inch wheels, and not lowering the vehicle - every extra inch is a good thing where I live. At tirerack.com, I located a set that fit my preferences perfectly. They happen to be on clearance, which is great, allthough even their low price now has me concerned! Anyway, I need help with the following please ....

1) The stock steel wheels are 15 x 5.5. The wheels I found are 15 x 6.5 . I understand from the fitment post here (and verifying lug pattern) that they will work. But my question is, since the after markets are an inch wider, will they extand an inch (or half inch) farther from the body than the stock wheels? This would not be good if it was noticeable.

2) After reading many posts on the subject, do I understand the stock tires will actually work on the new wheels? If so, won't the overall diamater of the wheel tire combo change, thus effecting either MPG or guage accuracy, as whell as my clearance a little bit?

I will try and attach a photo in comparison for those that are interested.... I just like the look af a dark/graphite wheel on the dark green xB. Let me have your expertise and opinions please, thanks.

http://www.geocities.com/gerhard_j_h/xbwheels.jpg
Sport Edition Fox 2 Sport Light Grey Painted 15x6.5


xBBQb

1) The stock steel wheels are 15 x 5.5. The wheels I found are 15 x 6.5 . I understand from the fitment post here (and verifying lug pattern) that they will work. But my question is, since the after markets are an inch wider, will they extand an inch (or half inch) farther from the body than the stock wheels? This would not be good if it was noticeable.

you should have 0 problems here unless its some crazy offset. 99% of the time offset is compensated to accomadate the wider wheel so they dont stick out. :)

2) After reading many posts on the subject, do I understand the stock tires will actually work on the new wheels? If so, won't the overall diamater of the wheel tire combo change, thus effecting either MPG or guage accuracy, as whell as my clearance a little bit?

yes your stock wheels will work on the rims you have listed it just might look a little funny because you have a inch wider rim on a tire (considering your still using youre stock tires) that is meant to be on a 5.5 wide rim. for instance stock tire size if im not mistaken is 185/60 r15. the 185 is the tire width, the 60 is the tire height, and the r15 is the rim size. now considering you want to get a wider rim it wouldnt be a bad idea to get a wider tire like a 195/60 r15. the one thing you will notice with a wider tire is better handling in all conditions. the the diameter wont change unless you run 1) a bigger rim with bigger tires 2) or just running a taller tire. the only way to throw off your speedometer would be to run something like a 185/75 r15. you have to run something drasticly bigger to set off your speedo by even a small amount. i have 19s with 215/35 r19s and they are about 2.5 inches taller than my stock tires, which sets off my speedo by 3 mph at 65. these rims are way bigger than my stock but as you can see you have to go way over stock size to affect gas mileage or speedo. hope this helps. its late and it might seem like a bunch jarble to you. :shock:

Nice choice on the rims.

xBBQ - Go for the wheels. I just checked TireRack.com, and they recommend 185/60/15's, which are the same as stock. I have purchased from them before for my other car, and they were very good to deal with (so no need to be concerned on their pricing). As for fit...they only recommend wheels/tires that will work with no problems. Even though the rims are an inch wider, they will not stick out an inch more. Those wheels have a higher offset than stock too.

Thank you all for answering and confirming my questions. It is appreciated.