[sid_v]

OK, so I bought the smaller 16" rims (2004) to use with snows on my 2005. My car came from the factory with the sport package, including 17" rims and upgraded brakes. Since then, I've seen two or three horror stories from people (not CTS owners, mostly Mazdas for some reason) whose cars could not take smaller factory rims due to suspension or brake differences.

Has anyone out there downsized their factory rims like this? Am I being just a little too paranoid, and they will mount up without any issue?
:bighead:

TIA for any real-life assurance that I haven't bought four expensive doorstops that won't fit.

 

[haute_heir]

there is no difference in the braking specs of a regular CTS and a sport Pac. The suspension will not cause any problems either. You're fine don't worry about it, Cadillac doesn't put much into their sport packs, like other brands such as Mercedes (I couldnt put 16's in place of my factory 17's because of the monster brakes on the sport pack.

 

[Chuck C]

What kind of horror stories? Wheels just wouldn't fit or was damage done to the cars?

 

[AznPrydeRegalRyde]

there is no difference in the braking specs of a regular CTS and a sport Pac. The suspension will not cause any problems either. You're fine don't worry about it, Cadillac doesn't put much into their sport packs, like other brands such as Mercedes (I couldnt put 16's in place of my factory 17's because of the monster brakes on the sport pack.

'06's are bigger on the sport pack, tho, aren't they? 325 mm instead of 300?

 

[BishopRuger]

'06's are bigger on the sport pack, tho, aren't they? 325 mm instead of 300?

Might be, I'm not sure but Sid V has an 05...

 

[sid_v]

What kind of horror stories? Wheels just wouldn't fit or was damage done to the cars?

Mostly, just being stuck with the wrong tires they had already paid for that wouldn't fit. The worst was my buddy getting stuck with horrible, horrible ugly faux-chrome rims on his Millenia because they were the only ones that would fit. :nono:

 

[sid_v]

Thanks to everyone for the info! I wasn't sure about the rotor diameter - I guess the "upgraded brakes" just use a special pad spec that creates more dust on those nice 17" wheels...

 

[haute_heir]

Thanks to everyone for the info! I wasn't sure about the rotor diameter - I guess the "upgraded brakes" just use a special pad spec that creates more dust on those nice 17" wheels...

I'm not even sure if the brake pads were upgraded as part of the sport pack... Sport pack I - 17" wheels, sport suspension, sport steering, stability control. Sport Pack II - All of sport pack one equipment PLUS auto load leveling rear suspension.

atleast thats how they were equiped in Canada in 05'

 

[DrFlag2]

I believe you will be fine with 16" wheels on an '05 17" Sport Pkg. Both the base and Sport Pkg cars use 303mm rotors. For '06 however, only the 18" Performance package comes with larter 325mm rotors which require a minimum of 17" wheels to clear.

 

[Mark VerMurlen]

I have a 2005 CTS with the factory 17" Sport Package. I did the same thing as you are doing. I got a set of factory 16" OEM wheels from a seller on EBay. I mounted them last weekend with a set of Michelin snow tires. The 16" rims fit just fine and don't interfere with the suspension or the brakes. If you get tires that have about the same revolutions per mile as the stock tires, your speedometer will remain accurate as well.

- Mark

 

[sid_v]

Thanks Mark. I am leaning towards the Dunlop M3's for snows, but still looking at Michelins and Bridgestones as well.