[Perc9000]

Hi guys so I'm trying to go down from 17s to 16s on my 2002 because the NYC roads are killing me. I bought wheels from fitment industries that ended up being the wrong size and after a fiasco of trying to get a refund, they are gonna give me a full refund. My car has been down for a month already and it’s my daily so I need it back on the road ASAP I tried reading up on the threads that talk about 16" rims and I understand that its possible but it seems like its iffy. I know the car came with these as an option, and that the proper tire size to go with it is 205/55R. I am trying to get a set of work Meister Cr01 wheels with Yokohama Avid Ascend LX wheels. After reading the fitment guide thread my offset calculations for the front are 8 * 25.4 / 2 - 45 = 56.6 and 8 * 25.4 / 2 + 45 = 146.6. That should mean that I clear both the fender and the suspension easily. I'd like to run a staggered setup with slightly wider tires on the back if possible. Maybe 215/55? I'm not the most knowledgeable about wheel/tire setups and I've been trying to learn more. I would be able to fit a slightly lower (higher?) offset of +35 for the rear wheels but not 8.5s. If I can run 215/55s on the 16x8 + 35s that would be best but if a staggered set up wont work on those wheels I don’t mind being squared. While it might seem like I answered my own questions, when dealing with the fitment rep from fitment industries he said this:

“After speaking with the manufacturer, they did state that after looking through their system that a 16 inch wheel is most likely going to come into issues with your brakes due to how small the barrel is. They have suggested to size up to the 17s to have a better clearance with your vehicle. I also talked to my co-worker (he mentioned his co-worker has an IS) and he also did state that he has not heard many people running a 16 inch wheel due to the diameter being small and coming into issues. He stated that most people he has talked to typically run a 17 inch wheel on your vehicle.”

It doesn’t help that their website gallery doesn’t have a single first gen running 16”s for reference. I know that this set up should theoretically work between the offset and tire sizes if I have the wheel weights placed further inside the wheel as to not rub against the brakes/suspension, but if I could get some guidance about this I’d be really appreciative. If anyone has any idea on how this might look fitment-wise that would be helpful as well.

 

[Thatblueis]

I have 18x8 +35s with 225/40/r18 tires, these tires seem to have more sidewall bulge than most but for me fitment was money. +35 is probably too much honestly without rolling. I would run a square setup as it saves tires because you can rotate. FYI find yoko to have a softer sidewall. Run 30 psi and some good wheels and you'll be ok. Why are you trying to decrease rim size? Are you bending wheels or bad ride quality? On a 8" wide wheel anything from 215 to 245 will do ok. 225 is generally the sweet spot and prevents debeading.

 

[Perc9000]

Initially I went for enkei TS-5s that were 17x8+40 with 235/45s but they didn’t fit and were rubbing in the front. It took a long time to get them to accept the return so I’m kinda in a bind. I’m trying to go smaller because where I live is basically impossible to drive without hitting potholes even with conservative driving. I did eventually warp my rims beyond repair but in all fairness the car was still on the original rims which were 21 years old. On top of the warping I get bubbles all the time and I just want that extra protection and better winter performance since it gets icy. Plus dropping in size will lower the cost so I can get a nicer wheel for a bit less. I’m not married to the staggered setup so I can always just go squared.

I like Yokohama for the price but I’m open to suggestions. I’m more concerned with the 16”s fitting correctly with the tire size and offset I listed above. If there is anything special I would need to do to make them fit let me know.

btw your car looks so clean and nice. These cars look amazing in blue

 

[Thatblueis]

Initially I went for enkei TS-5s that were 17x8+40 with 235/45s but they didn’t fit and were rubbing in the front. It took a long time to get them to accept the return so I’m kinda in a bind. I’m trying to go smaller because where I live is basically impossible to drive without hitting potholes even with conservative driving. I did eventually warp my rims beyond repair but in all fairness the car was still on the original rims which were 21 years old. On top of the warping I get bubbles all the time and I just want that extra protection and better winter performance since it gets icy. Plus dropping in size will lower the cost so I can get a nicer wheel for a bit less. I’m not married to the staggered setup so I can always just go squared.

I like Yokohama for the price but I’m open to suggestions. I’m more concerned with the 16”s fitting correctly with the tire size and offset I listed above. If there is anything special I would need to do to make them fit let me know.

btw your car looks so clean and nice. These cars look amazing in blue

Not sure 16s will clear the brakes. IMO get wheels and tires from discount tires and just cough up the extra money for the warranty and just keep warrantying them out. My +35 doesn't rub but if you had a softer suspension you'll probably rub without rolling.

 

[Perc9000]

If that’s the case then why did they even offer the car with 16s if they don’t actually work? Also I should have mentioned that I’m on stock suspension with no real plans of lowering anytime soon

 

[Isteven01]

First of all, I don't know of any companies that make a 215/55-16 size tire. 205/55-16 or 225/50-16 are your choices. 225/50-16 are almost identical to 225/45-17 in outer dimensions.

205/55-16 tires was the base standard size on Altezzas in Japan and MAYBE some base, 2001 IS300. But I'm not sure about the second point. From what I've read, the Altezza and IS300 use the same brakes.

Do a search (I can't on my phone). There is (was?) a thread with members with 16-inch wheels on their IS300 with pictures.

One issue to beware of is the little bump on the front suspension uprights. Some people had to grind it off to fit wheels.

I too plan on going down to 16 inch wheels. I BELIEVE 40mm is the lowest offset you can go with, on 7-inch wheels, without rolling or shaving the lips. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to test fit some rims to see if they'll fit. I'm thinking of getting refurbished BBS RS, 3-piece wheels.

 

[Perc9000]

First of all, I don't know of any companies that make a 215/55-16 size tire. 205/55-16 or 225/50-16 are your choices. 225/50-16 are almost identical to 225/45-17 in outer dimensions.

205/55-16 tires was the base standard size on Altezzas in Japan and MAYBE some base, 2001 IS300. But I'm not sure about the second point. From what I've read, the Altezza and IS300 use the same brakes.

Do a search (I can't on my phone). There is (was?) a thread with members with 16-inch wheels on their IS300 with pictures.

One issue to beware of is the little bump on the front suspension uprights. Some people had to grind it off to fit wheels.

I too plan on going down to 16 inch wheels. I BELIEVE 40mm is the lowest offset you can go with, on 7-inch wheels, without rolling or shaving the lips. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to test fit some rims to see if they'll fit. I'm thinking of getting refurbished BBS RS, 3-piece wheels.

Sorry about the 215/55 that was dumb of me. I have no problem running the 205/55 which is what I assumed I would run.

According to the calculations from the fitment thread the 8-inch wide wheels should fit with the +45 offset. (?) That said, I’m not knowledgeable enough to know how those numbers and calculations translate to what it will actually look like/fit like. I also dont know how the diameter of 16” vs 17” effects the offset equation which is why I have a hard time figuring out why the supposed set up won’t work.

I did read some of the other threads regarding 16s which is why I’m still confused in the first place. My mechanic (who is excellent but doesn’t deal with aftermarket) says the 16s should fit, the rep from FI says they might have issues and it seems like the 16s are hit or miss on the forum. This puts me in a position where I’m pretty confused on what I should do and

I’m already sending a pair of rims/tires back to FI. I’d like to get it right this time to make sure it fits without rubbing, but also gives me that extra sidewall protection. I know if I go down to 16s I will save some money to buy a nicer set for a similar price.

 

[Piggity]

If you're dead set on 16's...try and find some from a R32 GTR. They come in a 18x8 +30 offset. This is what I ran for a while and they looked great with a 205/55R16 tire on them. They fit over the brakes fine and had decent clearance everywhere but my fenders were rolled f/r.

I don't have time to search for my pics in my phone but here is a quick pic from somewhere online:

 

[IS300 2001]

If you're dead set on 16's...try and find some from a R32 GTR. They come in a 18x8 +30 offset. This is what I ran for a while and they looked great with a 205/55R16 tire on them. They fit over the brakes fine and had decent clearance everywhere but my fenders were rolled f/r.

I don't have time to search for my pics in my phone but here is a quick pic from somewhere online:

View attachment 143943

Did you run a spacer in the rear or leave it square? I've thought about getting the 16inch r32 wheels for some time now, but didn't want to spend that much when I know I would put a 10mm spacer on the back to stay consistent with body lines.

 

[Perc9000]

If you're dead set on 16's...try and find some from a R32 GTR. They come in a 18x8 +30 offset. This is what I ran for a while and they looked great with a 205/55R16 tire on them. They fit over the brakes fine and had decent clearance everywhere but my fenders were rolled f/r.

I don't have time to search for my pics in my phone but here is a quick pic from somewhere online:

View attachment 143943

While I appreciate your advice I think as an American finding anything that comes off a skyline is gonna be difficult and expensive. I’m also kinda limited to what’s available on the site that I bought my first set from since we are doing a return/swap.
It does look cool though

 

[Piggity]

Did you run a spacer in the rear or leave it square? I've thought about getting the 16inch r32 wheels for some time now, but didn't want to spend that much when I know I would put a 10mm spacer on the back to stay consistent with body lines.

I left it square. I tried to find some pics on my phone but I have nothing good from that time period (16'ish) except this one.

 

[MYIS3]

I don’t recall the measurements I did when I put my 17’s on but I’m running a staggered setup with a +40 offset front and back. 7.5 in the front and 8.5 in the back. It’s lowered and I rub in the rear because I haven’t rolled it. But just to throw some more numbers out there.

 

[Perc9000]

So just to be clear:

Some people can run 16s, the car was sold with 16s, the offset equation based on the Work wheels I listed (8 * 25.4 / 2 - 45 = 56.6 and 8 * 25.4 / 2 + 45 = 146.6) shows that I will clear the fenders and suspension, and I can have the weights put further inside the wheel + potentially shave that small nub on the suspension uprights in order to make it fit better. I can put 205/55s on 16" tires according to a few members as well as the cars original specs.

If all that I said above is true, is there any reason why with this proper setup (Squared, 16x8 +45, 205/55) why I shouldnt be able to fit these on my car?

I appreciate all the help

 

[Perc9000]

Would spacers make the 16s fit better?

 

[Piggity]

If all that I said above is true, is there any reason why with this proper setup (Squared, 16x8 +45, 205/55) why I shouldn't be able to fit these on my car?

Yes, it should fit your car. If, for some reason, it doesn't fit the front (say it's hitting the spindle) then yes you would need to install a 5mm spacer. 16x8 +45mm is going to look really sunk, google battleship lol.

IMO, I wouldn't run anything higher offset than +30 on a 16x8. Hell I've been on IS250 wheels for years that are 17x8 +45mm with a f/r 25mm spacer (so effectively a 17x8 +20).

 

[Perc9000]

Yes, it should fit your car. If, for some reason, it doesn't fit the front (say it's hitting the spindle) then yes you would need to install a 5mm spacer. 16x8 +45mm is going to look really sunk, google battleship lol.

IMO, I wouldn't run anything higher offset than +30 on a 16x8. Hell I've been on IS250 wheels for years that are 17x8 +45mm with a f/r 25mm spacer (so effectively a 17x8 +20).

Appreciate the reply. I’m glad to know that it should work but I’m not sure I wanna look super sunk in. I think based on the wheels I want the +45mm were the only ones that would fit according to the calculations.

Forgive me for my ignorance, but does putting 5mm a spacer on effectively turn a +45 into a +40? If that’s true I can push it out as far as possible to avoid that sunken look

 

[Piggity]

With my car lowered around 2" from stock a 17x8 +45mm wheel (2IS IS250) looks pretty bad (w/o my current 25mm spacers). I'd buy the right wheel so you're not dealing with spacers, you basically have another point of failure with spacers. I've seen a lot of people with wheels falling off online....don't be that guy.

 

[Perc9000]

I don’t mind dropping some money on good quality hubcentric ones. You said you use the h&r right? How has your experience been with shaking/other issues? I honestly can probably only get away with 5mm. According to the offset calculations I think I can only get away with an +37 offset before I hit something but I have been having a hard time finding quality hubcentric 8mm spacers.

 

[Piggity]

I hate spacers but I'm cheap. Like I said the first time but the right sized wheels the first time...don't do spacers. And do not buy 5-8mm spacers without longer wheel studs.

 

[Perc9000]

I hate spacers but I'm cheap. Like I said the first time but the right sized wheels the first time...don't do spacers. And do not buy 5-8mm spacers without longer wheel studs.

Understood on the spacers I’ll avoid them if possible.

While I’ve been turning this all over in my head, I saw that the stock rims are 17x7+50 or 16x6.5+50. After applying the calculations which determine if it’s too close to the fender, the stock rims come out to 38.9 for the 17s and 32.55 for the 16s.

Since a higher number means it’s closer to the fenders, wouldn’t the 16x8 + 45 work wheels, which calculate out to 56.6, look less sunk than the stock rims? Already they are wider with a greater offset, so it should still be an improvement over stock right? I get that the 16s are smaller than the 17s but aren’t the measurements of 205/55/16 roughly equal to 225/45/17?

I hope I’m not sounding like an idiot lol