can someone please tell me why 16" wheels are so hard to find. so many of the wheels i like come in all other sizes but 16". it's always "available in 15, 17, 18, and 19". WHY??

 

Try the Tire Rack, they list 31 different 16" rims.
www.tirerack.com

 

why do you want 16's?

 

I got your 16 inches right here.

 

Well, there are a couple of reasons why manufacturers shy away from 16" wheels.

There really aren't any good tires that come in 16" sizes...this can be linked to not many wheels being made in that size altogether, of course. I really think it's an inbetween size...very odd also, because if you want small wheels you would go with a 15x7 or wider, and if you wanted bigger wheels than 15, you'd naturally go with 17s.

The difference is more noticable between 17-18 than 15-16, which is why most companies hesitate to make a 16 inch wheel, when all that is selling are 15s/`17s/18s.

Over the years, the companies have seen 16's just fall into a niche that noone really cared about, and they found that they were losing money producing them just to sit around in warehouses. I'd have to agree with them, 16s are just an odd size, and never should really even be considered...just go with either a 15/17.

 

can i get an AAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNN

 

stick to your guns
the suckers running 17's will never know true ride comfort
PLENTY of tire manufacturers make tires for 16's
look other than TireRack for wheels

i am currently getting sponsored by a german wheel company for a set of 16x9's
with Yokohama ES100 tires size 245/45-16
this brings tire/wheel diameter to an almost perfect size to not throw off your speedo by much
I have been in the "tuner" scene for a while and you just can't get the comfy ride on 17's and up
anyone wanna tell me it's not a good tire???

 

Well, I have found quite a few. Konig and Maxxim makes most of their wheels in 15,16 etc... I like the Holes, they are lightweight as well. And as for the odd size for tires how is 205/50/16 odd. A bunch of good tires come in that size. It is just a Tuner mentallity to go with these big wheels with rubberbands for tires. You add more unsprung weight and need to avoid even the smallest pot hole. OH and compain about your gas mileage. I see no need to pick on someone who wants to make their car look nice and daily drivable as well. Look at all the people with steelies and trim rings. I am going with 15" Maxxim Harpoons in Hyper grey for my TCM box. I can use up the goodyears then get some bigger 205/55/15 tires later.. If you look at discount tires website as well as tire rack you'll find the smaller than 17's some of the sites you find only have all the larger tuner and SUV wheels.

 

i forgot to mention weight, thanks DisneybB
and tire prices are a lot more reasonable
pot holes.....forget about it on 17's or bigger
there is no way a 40 or 45 series tire can take the abuse for very long
like i said
Stick To Your Guns

or spring for the Big wheels and tires.....but don't forget your Lugz driving shoes and Plateenum chains
might as well trade in the Scion for an Escalade
then you can fit 23's NOW WITH SPINNERS!!!!!!!!!
<----not a racist...just observant

 

The smaller rims such as 15s and 16s are very popular on bBs in Japan. I know that's Japan, and this is the U.S., but, after looking at all the pictures of those bBs from Japan, those sizes, if done right, look down-right sick. I am looking for 15s with deep dish.

 

I'm running 16x7 WORK Nezarts with a 35 offset and Blitz coilovers as low as they wil go and da ride is sweeeet on my daily driver.

 

I'am planning to get 16's.Although i haven't decided on which rims to get there are still lots of coices out there.You just have to search.As for tires i plan on getting Falken Ziex ZE-512 .There one of the better rated tires out there.You can read the reviews here www.1010tires.com

 

Those falkens are like 68.00 or so in 205/50/16 a site called Highperformancetire.com is where I found them. Discount tire was a few dollars more. They sound like a nice quiet tire and only weigh like 19 or 20 pounds which should save at least 2 pounds over anyother tire I found. I'm leaning towards those myself.

 

16 inch wheels aren't that hard to find. You just ahve t know where to look. I know a couple warehouses in the Bay Area that has 16 inch wheels in stock all of the time.

 

just wanted to bring up that most vehicles at the local AutoX are running 15" or smaller wheels with slicks

"but i thought larger wheels gripped better??"

no, no sonny, they just want you to spend more money

 

i guess im getting a pretty valid explaination for the lack of 16's on the market. my pickyness on the styles of wheels limits my choices much further.

i want 16's because i've decided it's a good balence between ride comfort, style and performance.

 

hnefrdo let us know what you decide to get.i'll also post pics when i decide on what i'am getting.disneybB yeah those falkens are nice .Two pounds less than anything else out there at that size.

 

the wheels i just ordered are on the heavy side (19lbs) but i couldn't find a lightweight 16x9

so i am a hipocrit now, but damn near 3" of lip will stop other lips from flappin'

if you do decide to show your car, be aware that in the eyes of the judges Bigger is Better

my Koenig 16x7's got a 4 out of 5 point for cleanliness
but scored a 1 of 10 in "size/appearance"
everyone else in my class had 18's or 19's but mine was the lowest box there?????????
WTF?????

 

 

I was just at the Summit Racing Superstore in Tallmadge Ohio this past weekend and was able to use their Kiosk using my Scion XB with many different wheels. I saw many 16" wheels available.

www.summitracing.com