Aftermarket Wheels on Stock Suspension?

[kai-wun]

Hey,

I was wondering how a 16" wheel will look on a STOCK EP's suspension (stock springs/dampers... no lowering).

I'm thinking Rota Torque on an 02 EP.

Cheers
-k

[ep_hatcher_510]

it will look fine

[phister]

yeah it'll look fine... I would suggest lowering your car some though to remove the wheel gap since our cars look like 4x4 with the stock suspension.

[Mechanic]

If your sole priority is to reduce the gap between the tire and the wheelwell on your otherwise stock '02 EP3, the diameter of the tire you choose is as important as the wheel size. If, for example, you opt for a 205/50/16 tire, the wheel will be bigger (obviously) but the diameter of the wheel and tire combination (and the rolling circumference of the tire) will be less than the OEM wheel and tire combination. So it will still look odd -- exactly what you are trying to fix. Also, your speedometer will be off (it will read fast) because the smaller tire is turning faster. The better tire choice for your purpose would be a 205/55/16. That's the tire size on the '04-'05 EP3s. The sidewall is approximately .8" taller than a 205/50/16. (More tire, less gap, in other words.) Your car will also ride somewhat better over poor pavement because the taller tire has more "give".

[Karma]

stock 02-03:
195/60/15 = 24.2" overall diameter

205/50/16 = 24.07" (slightly smaller, but closer in diameter to 02-03 OEM wheel+tire)
205/55/16 = 24.8"

[socmex7]

the 205/55-16 will be .16 inches smaller than stock and the 205/55-16 will be .6 inches larger than stock.. i'd go with the 55's if you're gonna stay on stock suspension for the life of the tires because they fill the gap more, but with the 50's if you're gonna drop it soon... my .02