Realistic rim sizes...

[2011G6E]

Just wondering what experiences people have had with the factory rims on their Falcons...

I've noticed over the years that the standard rim size has been growing steadily. I remember when 13" and 14" wheels were the norm, with a few 15's here and there. Then 15's became normal, and the odd performance car would have 16's.
Commodore and Falcon then went to 16's as a standard size, and now we see 17's, 18's, and 19's as standard sizes on some models. Our G6E has a set of G6E Turbo 19" wheels on it, already fitted to the car by the dealer, with a matching spare wheel, and at no extra cost on the purchase price.
I suspect I know why...more on that later.

The point is this: How big is "too big" for the real world?

Out here, one guy I know has a XR6 Turbo with 19's, and he has already wrecked two tyres. Another woman at work has a new XR6 Turbo, and she literally destroyed two rims hitting a big pothole on the highway down near Gympie. I find myself almost driving in a state of paranoia when the road surface turns into it's usual crap condition with potholes, drop-offs, and high ridges pushed up by trucks. Parking lots are a drive-like-a-little-old-lady exercise to stay away from kerbs.
Most people I've spoken to with 18 and 19 inch wheels seem to be all of the same opinion: the wheels look great, but in the real world they're just asking for trouble. At least three people I know have gone back to 17's from larger factory wheels, and when it comes time for us to replace the tyres, we may just sell the 19's and go with a wheel and tyre package of 17's...something with a bit of sidewall at least.
I suspect that our G6E has the 19" turbo wheels fitted (instead of the standard 17's) because someone who bought a G6E Turbo didn't want to be lumbered with the expense and potential damaging of 19" wheels on typical central Queensland roads, so our car ended up with a free set of 19's which they swapped for the cheaper 17" wheels off our G6E.

So what size tyre do people think is suitable for the "real world" in thier area?
Just asking around workmates of mine, the consensus would seem to be 17's at most. Style is nice, but reality can bite hard sometimes.