15, 16 or 17s faster or slower

[black kro]

seen loads of chat about bigger wheels making cars slower etc.

Ive changed 15s to 17s and I cant feel the 1.9% difference!

check out http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.htmlhttp://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html. Just put in current size and planned change.

This is from the Home Page - Styling - Wheels

 

[telford_mike]

Went from 16"s to 17"s and couldnt feel any difference either.

 

[The Kirmanator]

I think the difference will be minimal, not enough to actually be able to feel any change. It must make a difference though because you are changing the rolling diameter.

 

[black kro]

it does make a tiny difference - if you want to be technical, 1.9% adds 0.1 sec to my 0-60 and might increase my top speed by 2mph!!

 

[maff]

the main difference would be that bigger wheels may be heavier. wider wheels would create more air drag and rolling resistance.

 

[Adams_16v]

iv had all three, and 17s definately slowist, and 15s quickest!

i couldnt really tell that much when i put the 17s on, but when i swapped back to 15s i couldnt believe it. then i went to 16s and seemed about the same but now back on 15s im sticking with these. The 17s weighed a ton as well compared to the 15s.

try 1/4 miling with 17s on then try again with 15s on!

Also with 17s my arse end was twitchy as fuk, i was scared of the handling, handled crap! 15s its like its on rails!

 

[Adams_16v]

Tire Size Comparison
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
185/55-15 4.0in 11.5in 23.0in 72.3in 876 0.0%
205/45-17 3.6in 12.1in 24.3in 76.2in 831 5.4%

 

[black kro]

Ive got 205/40x17s - only 1.9% bigger circumference so tiny tiny difference from standard 185/55x15

 

[steve a]

185
55 15" =
584.5




205
40 17" =
595.8

11.3mm increase in rolling radius will make a difference.

 

[Daz]

Its the weight, too.