[MP81]

I have a set of brand new 205/65R15 X-Ice Xi3s sitting in the basement for my winter wheel setup for my 2017, but now I'm looking for wheels.

I know there is a thread here where it was confirmed a set of AR895s will fit perfectly, but given that I'd be paying roughly $100 a wheel...for winter wheels, I'm looking for a cheaper option I can care less about - which has lead me to Sonic wheels (Cruze wheels don't go down past 16s).

Has anyone tried the 15" Sonic steelies? They're actually around the same weight as the AR895s and lighter than the AR919 I was also looking at (and lighter than the 15" sonic aluminum wheels), but fitment is the question. Same hub diameter (saves me from needing hub-centric rings), no spline lugs required, and actually 2mm less positive offset.

$60 a wheel (shipped) brand new, too, making it about $40 a corner cheaper (not counting the savings from no new lugs or hub rings).

Anyone have any experience? If not, maybe I'll buy one to test fit over the brakes. If they fit, I can get the other three.

Thanks!

 

[Steverino]

Brake caliper clearance could be a concern.

On Gen 1 Volt's, a 16" steelie spare will not work on the fronts, though they would fit the rear

 

[Upper5Percent]

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/res...Volt&autoYear=2017&autoModClar=&package=false

 

[MP81]

Yeah, it does not show them fitting, whereas if I search a Sonic, 15" steelies show up.

The 15" AR895s do fit (http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...-Reduce-Unsprung-Weight&p=3610889#post3610889), and TR says the AR919s will fit, as well. So I wonder if the steelies are a little too close to the calipers.

The Gen 2s have smaller brakes than the Gen 1s so 15s definitely fit, it's just a matter of which.

 

[Neromanceres]

Brake caliper clearance could be a concern.

On Gen 1 Volt's, a 16" steelie spare will not work on the fronts, though they would fit the rear

On the Gen II's 16" 5x105 steelies from the Cruze will fit. But I highly doubt 15" steelies from the Sonic will fit (though not impossible).

 

[MP81]

I suppose I could try one of my Cavalier steel wheels. Different lug pattern (5x100), but I should be able to slip it over enough (or not at all) to determine if it clears the caliper. Should be the same dimensions inside, I'd think, as the wheel itself is a 15x6.5, like a Sonic steelie...hmm.

 

[OoPEZoO]

No idea, but I'm interested to know. I had been eyeballing CL and Facebook marketplace for local wheels that I could slap some snow tires on for the winter. I don't mind paying prices for tires, but I feel like there has to be an inexpensive wheel option out there

 

[MP81]

Looking at the steel wheels, and a view of the current wheels/brakes, I'm inclined to believe the caliper will smash right into the face of the wheel.

Aluminum wheel spokes connect right to the lip, whereas the steelies jut inboard before going out to the lip.

Hmm...it's still possible, though, but would be hard to tell without buying one and test-fitting it.

 

[rmay635703]

A 15 needs lots of offset to fit, if you found a car in the wrecker that fit awesome but I doubt any stock wheels will fit

 

[Steverino]

Hmm...it's still possible, though, but would be hard to tell without buying one and test-fitting it.

Try a U-Pull It type auto-salvage yard. Compact spare wheels can be had for $10, full-sized $25.

 

[MP81]

Came across a set of Sonic 15" aluminum 5-spokes on the Cruze forum, and happened to be very local to boot (like, 15 minutes away)!

The seller swung by my house tonight so we could test fit them before I committed to buying them - the spokes clear the caliper just as well as the stock 17s do, so I can confirm that these fit without issue (so I bought them). And I don't need spline lugs, or hubcentric spacers - bonus!

 

[Steverino]

Thanks for the update. Curious, most want to go larger, why do you want a smaller wheel?

 

[MP81]

Oh, these are for winter (for my new Xi3s I have sitting next to them).

The more sidewall the better - especially with the craters we get. And the wheel/tire combo itself should be slightly lighter, offsetting (a tiny bit) the lower range thanks to the cold temps.

And tires are half the price, haha.

 

[OoPEZoO]

Score! Thanks for the info

I'll add them to my local search list. We had an easy winter here last year and I toughed it out with the stock tires. I'd really like to put good winter tires on it for this year. The other advantage of 15" is that the wheels and tires are typically MUCH cheaper. Like hundreds of dollars cheaper when comparing complete sets of 15", 16", and 17" combos. Especially if you can source used wheels locally for cheap.

 

[MP81]

Score! Thanks for the info

I'll add them to my local search list. We had an easy winter here last year and I toughed it out with the stock tires. I'd really like to put good winter tires on it for this year. The other advantage of 15" is that the wheels and tires are typically MUCH cheaper. Like hundreds of dollars cheaper when comparing complete sets of 15", 16", and 17" combos. Especially if you can source used wheels locally for cheap.

Yup - the tire price for the Xi3s is damn near half for a 205/65R15 compared to a 215/50R17.

Calculated it out, and this combo is right around 1.5lbs lighter per corner.

Sonic 15" wheel is 17.2 lbs (versus the LT 17" at 19.8 lbs), and the 205/65R15 Xi3 is 1 lbs heavier than the stock 215/50R17 ES A/S.

 

[MP81]

Hatchback FTW:

Four wheels/tires and four tires all fit semi uncomfortably, haha.

Xi3s mounted to the Sonic rims:

Thinking about putting them on tomorrow.

 

[Steverino]

What's the outer diameter of the tires compared to the Volt's OEM?

 

[MP81]

Exactly the same

 

[rmay635703]

Now to see what range you get,

Really wish there were some 15” rims that would fit even the rear on a 13 Volt

Ah Well

 

[MP81]

Baby wheels!

Close - but enough clearance. I did go with hammer-on weights, just to provide extra clearance.