I'll leave the style and color up to you.

What I will tell you is that the shorter you go with the tire sidewalls (as you will end up doing with 19's or 20's as compared to 18's), you'll be at a MUCH greater risk of getting pinch flats and rim damage.

Used to be a guy on my block with two cars on very low-profile tires, and for a while he couldn't even go a whole week without having yet another tire go flat on one car or the other.


Norm

 

Ronnnie13,

IMO you're in a good position. I'm a huge fan of both the Saleen and GT500 wheels. Since you're already set on a matte black finish and 5 spoke set up. It looks like all you have to decide now is if you like the solid or broken up 5 spoke style!

On the S197's if you go with a 18 or 19 set up you won't affect any suspension components or breaking. Our wheels are very light weight and even in a bigger size then stock, is most likely still lighter! I like the look of a 1.5 to 1.7in drop and a set of 18's, this is just my opinion!

Best of luck on your decision and let me know if you have any questions!

-Dan

 

there are tons of s197's on 20s with 30/35 series sidewall. I could see your argument if people were on 20 series.. those things are rubber bands.. but 30/35 still has plenty enough sidewall.

 

I like the Saleen style over the GT500 style. I am a little biase on the 5 spoke wheels. ;-)
I have 255/35 R20 tires. I wouldn't mind a little more rubber on the side wall to soften the ride a bit.

 

Must be your very first car. Even my 40's have too little sidewall.

 

while we're generalizing and throwing out wild *** assumptions - maybe you're just too old and brittle? 40s are even too little sidewall for you? wtf.

the stang is actually my 7th car.

 

I don't think you can draw a line between acceptable and not acceptable based only on the profile number - it's only a ratio, and you can't really see the two dimensions that make up that ratio clearly at the same time.

The best I've been able to come up with is once you drop below a certain sidewall height you're sacrificing ride quality and risking tire and wheel damage way faster than you're gaining performance, if you're even gaining any. Without reworking the suspension, you may even be sacrificing mechanical grip. As far as I'm concerned, when you start compromising the performance aspects to suit some appearance notion, you've gone too far (this works either way with respect to sidewall height/profile).

I figure that (↑↑↑) happens on the low side at around 4" unloaded sidewall height measured to the bead seat (3.5" unloaded/3" loaded, ground to wheel flange).


Norm

 

I have 20's on my mustang and while I do love the look, the ride is not great...you have to really keep an eye on tire pressure, watch curbs, watch pot holes, and tires tend to be a lot more...but I love them and really like the look. It's up to you and your style of driving too.

 

I'm running 20s with no complaints. Ride quality difference is barely noticeable, and doesn't feel like I lost any performance. Bottom line is do whatever makes you happy.

 

I like the Saleens better. The Saleen is a style that really benefits from larger sizes, but unless the roads where you live are really good stick to 18's. I've had low profile tires before on another car and I became a regular costumer at the wheel straightening shop. I kept bending them and breaking tires. I promised myself never again....

I personally think the Mustang looks better with a little meat in the tires, it just goes well with the retro style, but you know what they say about opinions..... your car, your choice.

One thing you might want to consider though is the brake clearance of each style in case you ever want a big brake kit. They probably both clear them but check just in case.