17 vs. 15 Rim Decision

[rharrack]

I have a MK1 MR2 S/C with 14 inch rims which I am restoring.
I want to get a set of aftermarket rims...looking at the Kosei K1's for the light weight factor. But in a dilema as the size of a set of 17's vs. 15's. What are the pro and cons to upgrading to a bigger size??? I want to keep the suspension stock...maybe eibach springs and tokico 5 way adjustable shocks. I am concerned about rubbing issues....Please if someone can shead some light and steer me in the right direction....

[RePete]

I'd go 15s, Koseis are wicked in 15" size - they're super light and come in the decent offsets too (15x7 ET38). I had 14s to 18s on my '89SC and it performed best with 16s. Don't worry about rubbing, it's all in the offsets and tire width, lots of stuff fits on MK1s.

There are two advantages to 17s on an MK1:

- you can select a fatter tire w/ more aspect ratios (but you don't need anything fatter than 225 on an MK1 anyway, there are plenty of size choices in 15/16)
- there is more brand selection in 17s
- OK, maybe a 3rd advantage - 17s look great on an MK1, though some say they're too big for the car

[rharrack]

Thanks......Repete
If I do go with 17's will it rub the rear and front suspension??? And what about turns will it rub the inner wheel well??? I like the look of the 17's on the MK1...but don't want to sacrifice the suspension to accomodate the bigger wheels.

[Tycoon788]

anyone kno bout the best size for the mkII? i have 17" on there right now and i think they might b rubbin a lil bit

[RePete]

Originally Posted by rharrack

...If I do go with 17's will it rub the rear and front suspension???...

Originally Posted by Tycoon788

anyone kno bout the best size for the mkII? i have 17" on there right now and i think they might b rubbin a lil bit

Two very open/vague questions. MKIIs can take anything from 14" (for the '91 - '92) up to 19". Seventeen inch wheels are super common for the car, you just need the correct width and offset. Generally, 17x7 fronts and 17x8 rears in ET29 - ET42 will fit fine. Anything outside of that and you can post here and any one of us will be glad to let you know if it fits or not.

[rharrack]

Here are the specs on the rims I want for the MK1..

Kosei K1 Racing
Size Selected: 17x7.5
Recommended Tire Size: 205/40-17
Wheel Offset: 35mm
** Lightweight: 17.0 lbs. **

if I go with 15s:
Size Selected: 15x7
Recommended Tire Size: 195/50-15
Wheel Offset: +38mm
** Lightweight: 13.5 lbs. **

Which is the best option???

[RePete]

Right, MK1 - sorry, I quoted for MKII.

Both above are excellent fitments for the MK1, they will look great & perform well. You may have a tiny bit of fender rubbing with 7.5" ET35 and a 205 in front - some do, some don't. Can't really say there's a 'best' from these selections, depends on what you want. If you ever dropped the car with the Pro-Kit/Illumina combo then 17" would probably look nicer and the 40 series tires would deliver extra sharp turn-ins. The overall combo of the stiffer springs/struts and low-pro tires would make for a harsher ride than stock (if you care about such things).

For the 15s you can always cram on 205/50s on the 15s as well so you can have almost the exact performance of the 17s but have a nicer ride because of the thicker sidewall.

Personally, I'd go for 205/50-15s in front & 225/50-15 out back on those nice 15x7 K1s - but that's just me.

[Tycoon788]

i have 17" 7.5 all arround at the moment, and i seem to be rubbing the wheelwell a lil bit. i dont kno if its from my driving or jus cuz the wheels r a lil to big

[SilverFire]

If you're driving around town be sure to take the road into consideration too. One of the guys here had 17s on his MK1 and traded them for 15s 'cause the potholes are too bad.

[ToyotaTechGeek]

well, i have both on my 89 SC.
the 17's will rub a bit (i have TRD springs), but i re-shaped the front inner fender liners and that kind of helped.
the 15's are better for all-around performance (i kept my 15's for track days) and have better characteristics in the arenas of braking, accelerating, and most subjective feel.

i have had to re-tune my braking, suspension, and even my driving with the 17's. at first i wondered if it was really worth it. let me say, though, the 17's look damned good!

[butter nuts]

function over form - get 15s

want bigger, dumber, slower, heavier wheels that look pretty? - get 17s

[ToyotaTechGeek]

actually form follows function.

the thing about 15's is that there is a bit of a lack of tyre choices/sizes

[Epoch of Entropy]

Originally Posted by ToyotaTechGeek

actually form follows function.

the thing about 15's is that there is a bit of a lack of tyre choices/sizes

There is? That's news to me, when did they remove all of the options for every leading tire brand and line?

16" rims, yes... There are fewer choices but 14,15,17 there are tons in the high performance street category, as those are the most popular tire sizes for compacts on the track and road.

[Epoch of Entropy]

Oh, and I would go for the 15"...

See:
"unsprung weight" - Google Search

So that 4lb difference is actually multiplies the larger the wheel and the more weight you add in, coupled with how fast the wheel is spinning.

[rharrack]

well folks.....take a look at the 17 inch rims maybe this will help with the size dilema. "Once you go 17's you never go back!!" Just make sure your suspension clears the 17 inchers.
No disrespect....to 15 inchers

[RePete]

Definitely looks great! But with all other things being equal, the 15s would lead.

No disrespect....to 17 inchers.

[TomsMR2]

if you run 17's you have to run rubber band tires.. like 205/40/17's. a 205/50/15 looks/fits/performs great on an mk1. id go so far as to say it looks better than 17's.. 17's look too cartoonish.

[rharrack]

I agree with you guys as far as the 17's you need a pothole radar on the front of the car. Problem I had was having was tirerack.com size for 15inchers was 195*50*15. If I got 205's on a set of 15 I would be incline to buy the 15.

[RePete]

^ I don't get it. You can get 205/50-15s for the front, a very common mod for MK1s. At one point I mounted that w/ 225/50-15s out back on my old SC, a most choice combo for looks and handling.

[rharrack]

^----What do you GET???repete
U CAN NOT ORDER THAT 15 INCH COMBONATION FROM T-I-R-E-R-A-C-K.COM
WITH ANY WHEEL AND TIRE PACKAGE.

do you need me to spell it out....

maybe u should change ur name to repeat??? seems like I have to repeat myself twice per posting.