Ok, so I picked up a set of wheels that I'm in love with (is it possible to be in love with a wheel?), and looking at my choices for 16" tires.

Wheel size is 16 x 7. Offset is +42, but not really relevant- I can add spacers as needed.

Been doing a bunch of research on Tire Rack. I want a lot of performance, but on this side of a "street" tire... something above 300 UTQG.

215 width would have been great, I think, but there is really nothing great available in the right size, in the type of tire I want. So I'm looking for 205.

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK INDY 500 - SIZE: 205/50R16
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tnum=05WR6FHI5

The customer reviews put this at the top of category. And Tire Rack's own testing shows it beating everything else as well (scroll down on that page for a link / video).

CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT SPORT - SIZE: 205/55ZR16
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...RatingsReviews

This is actually one category higher- "max" vs. "ultra high performance", whatever that means. Sounds like it tests very well. Not enough customer reviews for them to post them- wow, Tire Rack is so responsible!

But maybe the main issue is size. The 205/50r16 of the Firestone is very close to OEM- 0.8% smaller OD than the 17" that came with my car. The Continental, with 55 sidewall, is 2.5% taller. That's a pretty big difference, although compared to a JCW's original size of 205/40r18, it's only 1.6%.

But is it too big? Worth going a little too big if this tire really is better?

Open to suggestions if there is another good 16" tire I missed. Post anything and everything about 16 inchers here

 

I have the Conti EC sport in 205/55/16 on my R50 with 16x7 +42 wheels, and
the fit is fine, and these tires are great. Much better responsiveness than their
DW predecessor, great dry performance, and excellent in wet weather.
Very close in performance to the Michelin PSS (which is not available in 16" sizes).
They are superb summer tires, but with this tire, you're supposed to keep
them above 20 degrees or the compound can change and crack if they're
mounted, inflated, deflated, rolled, etc without letting them warm up to 40 degrees for
at least 24 hours first. I store mine inside during the winter.

 

mich elin a/s 3 should be on the list. BFG has one in that size as well.

 

Thanks Cristo. I read your previous thread on the subject- sounds like I'm in the same boat as you. So, no regrets with your choice? Not even considering the Indy 500 is available in a more appropriate 205/50?

No issues with cold below 20 here in LA. Will make a note to take my truck when headed to any snow.

gjxj- I hadn't noticed that Michelin- didn't check the box to look at all-season performance tires. Does look interesting, and I see they did testing, and it's about on par with the Firestone. But it does come out to a painful $300 more for the set... think I'll pass.

BFG- you mean the G-Force Sport Comp-2? Yeah a lot of people like this one too... Tire Rack comparison says performance seems to be similar to the Indy 500, but with better road feel. And that's probably what I'm after, ultimately... I hate to admit it, but that tread pattern is ugly as sin... I guarantee they did market research among 22-year-old Camaro drivers with tribal tattoos. ><

 

The Indy 500 would probably be my choice for 205/50/16 at the present time,
and in fact I was thinking of getting it until the Conti EC Sport came out.
I used 205/50/16 since I got my 2003 MINI - Bridgstone Potenza S-03 PP,
then Dunlop Maxx Sport, then Cont DW. Each had their pros and cons.
With the softer sidewall of the DW, I was at first hesitant to go to a 55 sidewall,
but the EC Sport has improved that to the point that I don't regret getting it one bit.
The choices in 205/50/16 have become much more limited over the past few years
compared to 205/55/16. Other 205/50/16's that I considered are the Dunlop
Direzza ZII and the BS RE-71R, but I didn't want to go a step down in wet performance,
comfort and tread wear to get that increase in dry performance.

My wife's VW Cabrio has the G-Force Sport Comp-2 summer tires, and they are
pretty good. The Indy 500 is probably even better in this performance category,
however.

 

For the next season i plan as well to use a 16" Wheel. I think that will give further advanced performance in weight & handling.

As i have mounted basically from 205 to 235 all possible wheels in 17", i tend to equip my Cooper with 225 8x16 OF40mm,


I have the respective wheel & brake 300mm at hand, so it will work, however if you don't have a decent brake its a downgrade.

 

Thanks Cristo. Still need to think if going to 55 sidewalls is worth the better rubber of the EC...

Thanks Wotan. 235! Didn't think that was possible... I thought 225 seemed risky. I would love to try 225 myself, except that my wheels are 7"... seems like not such a great fit. This is just a street car, so "feel" is more important than putting down the most rubber possible.

What do you mean about brakes? What is your brake setup? I'm planning on new pads soon, but that will probably be the limit...

 

there might be a point that the original brake setup with its 290mm disc have to be considered, if using 16" wheels, and that got fade, when pushing hard some rounds.

 

safe to assume this thread doesn't 16" wheels fitting on the JCW brakes, right? i'm on 17's with the JCW brakes but have always wanted to try and squeeze 16's in there.

 

Either the Indy 500 in 205/50/16 or the Conti ECS in 205/55/16 would
be a good choice for a daily driver summer tire. I prefer the Conti and I
do think it's a better performer, but you wouldn't be going wrong with the Firestone.
I've never considered Firestone as a top notch tire company, but this one
looks like it's a very good product.

 

how about an all season 16" that can handle fairly well and isn't real loud? Do grand touring tires suck?