Hi Folks, I'm getting a "touring package", which comes with 17" wheels instead of the 16". I know the 16's will have better mileage...the 17's look better...and I am indifferent to the LED lights and the Fog's....but the package was only 1800 more...and being a previous car nut (I had Volk TE37's on my 350z; my previous car) I loved it...so I thought...hey...why not... But now I feel bad cause I felt like I splurged.... Any feedback on the 16's vs 17's? I read about the LED lighting already...Our driving will be 95% city driving.
I'd presume the tires have the same rolling circumference and so the 16 is only better when you hit a bump and have more "rubber" crush space between the bump and your wheel. I doubt they reprogram the speedometer for a different radius wheel. Every time I see an SUV with super big wheels and super low profile tires I think of a trip I took to a wheel repair shop and the prices they charged. The shop was near a NFL stadium and some of the $3k each wheels from the players cars in for repair were just a sight to see both in bling, size and damage.
I have the 17s on the V 5 and the first thing I noticed was the truck like turning radius. They are horrible in parking lots. I wish I had the 16s.
The fuel economy difference shouldn't be huge but I have not tested it on the v. The difference is small enough that choosing the right replacement tire will make a larger difference. My guess is about a 2mpg loss in the long run assuming you stick with good LRR tires. 17s look good on the v. Just enjoy the car.
