Hi guys, I joined this forum just to get advice to this question:

I'm going to get my fiance some new rims & tires on her '05 grey XB for Christmas. I was kinda drunk one night and drove into a curb, and those ____ty plastic covers popped right off and the metal wheel bent. But that's a whole other story.

So my question is this. I don't want to spend a lot of money, and don't want to do any lowering or other modification - so I'm keeping the height stock. I've been told by some people at tire places to only go up to 16x7 & 205/50/16. They said that 17"s will have rubbing problems and/or use tires that are too thin and thus bend the rim. I can get pretty crappy generic 16" rims & tires installed for $730 at a local tire place (not a real rim specialty type store):

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...Silver+Painted

But I also called some 'real' rim stores, and they told me they can hook me up w/ better name rims for about $650, but they can only do 17". I don't know the brand, but I saw it in person, and this shop has nicer looking rims. So my question is, are 17" wheels going to give me any problems. Remember, this is not my car, and the last thing I want to do is have to spend more money later on dealing w/ problems caused by 17"s if I could put in 16"s w/ out risk of future problems.

Also, I'm in LA, any good suggestion for a tire/wheel place would be cool. Any advice on all is greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post. Don't drink & drive.

Ray

 

You can go 17''. But, you don't want the Wrong 17" Wheel and Tire combination.
I advise using the Tire & Wheel Calculator to make sure you have the correct fit:

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs...ext2=215/40/17

Just put in the Stock size OEM 185/60/15 in the left side. And the Wheel size & Width and the Tire size in the right side. It will tell you if it matches
and is the Correct fit so it doesn't rub. You can do WHAT IFs and it doesn't cost you anything.

For instance, a good size combo is: 215/40/17 on a 17x7.5" wheel. Try other combo like 205/45/17 on a different width Wheel and see if that size matches or will rub.
You can play with it.

Stay Tune, Next Year,

The LUV MOBILE is Coming!

MR LUV

 

I assume there was no damage to the tire, therefore, only a wheel change is in order. I stayed cheap and got some nice stock sized 15X6" wheels on Ebay for $269 shipped and had the installed and balanced at a local shop for $50. My car is grey as well and these wheels are grey with a machined lip and then clearcoated.

I couldn't be happier. It completely changed the look of the car for not much money, plus my speedo and mileage are unchanged. Here's a look at the wheel:

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

You may want to check www.edgeracing.com. We have packages starting at $559.