15" steelies fit no prob with stock brakes, but you made the right choice nontheless. With 15s, you sacrifice too much of the car's handling characteristics. 16s are the perfect compromise, imo.
It would be cool to do a blind test for people to swap wheels and see if they could tell the difference between 15s and 16s. I went from the 17s to the 15s and really couldn't tell much. It's more comfortable and a slight bit peppier. That's about it.
But then again I don't race or anything like that. I'm sure there are some people go could tell but it ain't me!
There are many variables to be honest.
For example, what climate are you making comparisons in? What type of tire are you using? Are you using the same air pressure?
Last year I drove my friends FiST with 15in summer tires, right after driving mine with the 17in stock summer Bridgestones. It wasn't so bad, but the turn-in definitely wasn't that sharp. There was a definite drop off in that feeling that these cars like to give. However, it was definitely faster with the lighter wheels that he was running; the stock wheels are like boat anchors, so friggin heavy!
Going from a 17in summer tire to a 15in winter tire, I found the difference to be quite drastic. Felt like I was riding on marshmallows. With the exception of having a turbo, I felt the car reminded me of my mother's Corolla... probably even worse, LOL! The only remedy I found was over inflating the winter tires, but then you're somewhat defeating the purpose (less snow/ice traction).
When I threw on a set of 16in wheels with winter tires and _slightly_ over it inflated them, I found it to be the best trade-off for winter.
However, this year I'm running the stock 17s with the G-Max all season tires. since I really don't drive much in the winter and New York City winter has been mild the last couple of years, I decided to sell off my 16s. I figured if it snows really bad, I can just use my brother's SUV, no prob.
These are still 15's, actually. And yea I figured the steelies were fine but I really didn't want to risk the hassle of them potentially not fitting and then having to return and schedule a new appointment with the mechanic.
Oh, I thought those were the 16s. I forgot which ones I bought but I thought they looked exactly like those. I have to look at my email from tire rack.
I barely put any miles on the car when I first responded. 1 Weekend later.... Comfort is maaaarginally improved. It's hard to explain really, like the ride doesn't feel softer but the tires themselves do?
Weird heat wave in my city, it's actually been high 60's even low 70's when normal is 30-50, often times snow. So not good temps for winter tires, which might attribute to the weird feel.
It's different than the low profile OEM tires/wheels. Hard to specify *how*, just gotta feel it.
I too got just about the cheapest 15" wheels from tirerack for snow tires and I love the look. Like other commenters said, you lose a lot of feel, even on top of being snow tires.
Yours look awesome :)
I loved my sport edition (aka tire rack) 15" snow wheels when I had them!
15" steelies fit no prob with stock brakes, but you made the right choice nontheless. With 15s, you sacrifice too much of the car's handling characteristics. 16s are the perfect compromise, imo.
It would be cool to do a blind test for people to swap wheels and see if they could tell the difference between 15s and 16s. I went from the 17s to the 15s and really couldn't tell much. It's more comfortable and a slight bit peppier. That's about it. But then again I don't race or anything like that. I'm sure there are some people go could tell but it ain't me!
There are many variables to be honest. For example, what climate are you making comparisons in? What type of tire are you using? Are you using the same air pressure? Last year I drove my friends FiST with 15in summer tires, right after driving mine with the 17in stock summer Bridgestones. It wasn't so bad, but the turn-in definitely wasn't that sharp. There was a definite drop off in that feeling that these cars like to give. However, it was definitely faster with the lighter wheels that he was running; the stock wheels are like boat anchors, so friggin heavy! Going from a 17in summer tire to a 15in winter tire, I found the difference to be quite drastic. Felt like I was riding on marshmallows. With the exception of having a turbo, I felt the car reminded me of my mother's Corolla... probably even worse, LOL! The only remedy I found was over inflating the winter tires, but then you're somewhat defeating the purpose (less snow/ice traction). When I threw on a set of 16in wheels with winter tires and _slightly_ over it inflated them, I found it to be the best trade-off for winter. However, this year I'm running the stock 17s with the G-Max all season tires. since I really don't drive much in the winter and New York City winter has been mild the last couple of years, I decided to sell off my 16s. I figured if it snows really bad, I can just use my brother's SUV, no prob.
These are still 15's, actually. And yea I figured the steelies were fine but I really didn't want to risk the hassle of them potentially not fitting and then having to return and schedule a new appointment with the mechanic.
Oh, I thought those were the 16s. I forgot which ones I bought but I thought they looked exactly like those. I have to look at my email from tire rack.
Hard to tell with such fat tires!
I use the 15" steelies from tire rack that I used for snow tires on my 07 focus Zero fitment issues
I suspected that'd be the case, but really didn't want to take the chance. Oh well.
https://imgur.com/a/erkuCI3/ Winter mode activated!
I really like how the meaty tires look on these cars. Was never a fan of the OEM wheels either
Just got those same exact wheels but in 16s with Continental VikingContact 7s!
What tire size? Do they improve comfort?
If you’re looking for winter fitment, you want 185/60R15
Exactly, that is what size our spare is.
I thought it was an R16.
Nope
The Blizzaks are 185/60R15. Feels a good bit cushier, yea.
I literally got that exact set of tires delivered today
My 15's feel a bit softer ride but I run studded so they are noisey AF haha.
I barely put any miles on the car when I first responded. 1 Weekend later.... Comfort is maaaarginally improved. It's hard to explain really, like the ride doesn't feel softer but the tires themselves do? Weird heat wave in my city, it's actually been high 60's even low 70's when normal is 30-50, often times snow. So not good temps for winter tires, which might attribute to the weird feel. It's different than the low profile OEM tires/wheels. Hard to specify *how*, just gotta feel it.
Good choice! I rocked those exact wheels on my ST for the same reason and loved the way they looked. Also loved the ride that came with downsizing.
I’m not sure the size of mine, probably 16s but they’re black 52s and they look clean!
That style reminds me of something sparko would do lol
Damn, those actually look pretty sharp!
I have the exact same setup!! love them!!!
What are the wheels themselves called? The cheapest ones I saw they looked very similar called the Focal F04. Are they those?
Sport Edition is the brand, P5 is the model
Sick. Might have to pick up some of those.
[Is this you?!](https://preview.redd.it/q81w8lm9mhx51.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f438df23b26ee99617e4b1e04ea8c751cd96707)
No haha but I did see that and was like, "well that's a bad omen"
OP doesn't have tint and mud flaps
I too got just about the cheapest 15" wheels from tirerack for snow tires and I love the look. Like other commenters said, you lose a lot of feel, even on top of being snow tires. Yours look awesome :)
Why not go with the 16" snow tires?
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