Hey guys. I finally put on the bbs reps ive had sitting in my room for over a month now because i was tired of looking at them every day and waiting for the weather to get better.

Now that they are on I have a lot more wheel gap than anticipated, mostly due to how low profile the tires are.

I'm still on the stock suspension as I type this, but I have just placed my order for my coilovers (Megan Racing w/ camber plates) so I know that will help fill the gap.

I'm looking to get new rubber on the wheels but don't want to go too big. The current setup has a nice little lip and I would like to keep that as much as possible. Currently running 165/40/16 on 16x7.5 et35 bbs rs reps.

Including photos of the wheels themselves and how they currently look on the car.

 

the proper width tire for 7.5 inches is 225... OEM 7 inch rim uses a 205.. why such skinny tires? 165?? (this doesnt answer your question and isnt related to it, just curious is all.)

i might just be dumb but i dont think that sounds right.

 

These are just the tires that were on the wheels when i bought them off someone else. Not my doing. And to be honest, the wheels may be 7 and not 7.5. I'll have to look at them again.

 

also, i think that just increasing the sidewall height will make it look funky. :(

 

I found someone selling brand new 195/40 and was thinking about just snagging them. Wasnt sure if its significant enough an increase though and not make it look funky

 

I am going to be honest here, I cannot help but laugh at the OP's pictures. Those tires are so undersized for an R50/R53 its ridiculous. Here are some size calculations for you to understand how ridiculously undersized they are:

165/40/16 tire on 16x17" wheel:
diameter = 21.2" (wow)
width 6.5"
sidewall = 2.6" (wow)
circumference = 66.6"
Revs per Mile = 952

The recommended tire size for a 16x7" wheel are 205/50/16, here are the calculations on that:
diameter = 24.1"
width = 8.07"
sidewall = 4.04"
circumference = 75.6"
Revs per Mile = 838.3"

Look at the differences there, the diameter is nearly a 3" difference, all in thanks to a nearly 1.5" greater sidewall (as you call "meat"). You gain 9" on your circumference due to the greater sidewall and therefore ~115 less revolutions per mile. With your current setup I am guessing your speedo is way off.

So, if your wheels are 16x7", I would run a 205/50/16, it will look and feel much better. If it is a 16x7.5" wheel, I would still run the same (and you will get more spoke showing if that is what you are into). If you MUST have the stupid stretch tire look(personal preferences vary, and to each their own), then stick with your lower series tire, such as a 175 series, but run a comparable sidewall. 175/60/16 is comparable if you must have the stretch look:

175/60/16 tire:
diameter = 24.3"
width = 6.89"
sidewall = 4.13"
circumference = 76.2"
Revs per Mile = 831.5"

Good luck with whatever you choose, and remember, to each their own.

 

Oh its 100% okay to laugh. I'm laughing myself. Right now it looks like im driving on fancy donuts with no tires. Its down right hilarious haha. But this was more of me just getting impatient. It's been killer just looking at them every day and waiting for the weather here in New Jersey to make up it's mind.

This is more of just the test run to see what i like. I knew the tires were extremely small when i got them, just didnt realize it was going to be this bad.

But that is exactly the information i was looking for. I'm honestly not the most educated when it comes to tire and wheel sizes. I do enjoy the stretched/poke look a little but im not going to get crazy with it so i will look up the ones you provided. Much appreciated man.

 

Also, can anyone recommend a good brand? The car is my daily and will not be seeing the track or anything other than the local meets and driving to work and the beach this summer. I live in New Jersey and the roads sre riddled with potholes and bumps no matter how hard you try to avoid them. I am most likely NOT going to use these in the winter but all seasons are still an option.

 

I also think 205/50/16 is the best tire size for 16x6.5 or 16x7 or 16x7.5 rims, but selection
is not as good as it used to be. If you can't find the tires you want in that size, then also
consider 205/55/16, which has better selection in today's market and still fits fine.


From your last post, if looking for Summer tires, the BFG g-Force Sport COMP-2 would be
a good choice, if looking for All Seasons, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS or
the Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season (V-Speed Rated) would be
a good choice, and all of these are available in 205/50/16.

 

I'm going with the BFG gforce SPORT COMP-2 summer tires in 205/50/16 and they should be delivered as soon as Tuesday. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

My wife has these on her VW Cabrio and they are very good UHP Summer tires.

 

Glad I could be of help. Be sure to post up new pics, it will be a transforming before and after. That was the exact tire I was going to recommend as well.

 

I can only say that in the original pics attached, those wheels looks very very very very ... small (I'm ignoring you published information about it).

Improve that and you will win a new car (guaranteed)

Maybe 225/35/17 on 17x8.25?
(Personally I like 17'' wheels on R53/R56)

 

I bought the car with the factory 17" s lites on them. Im keeping those for my winter setup. Ive just always loved the BBS RS look. And yes the wheels look small like fancy spares at the moment haha. But the new tires should be in tuesday and I'll have them mounted within the week and hopefully the coilovers on within a week after that as well.

And is that your car in the picture? Because im loving that color scheme

 

OK, understand it !!

No, it is not my car, is just a car picture taken from internet to show my wheel preferences. I have an R56 but I love the sportier exterior lines (more than R56s) on the R53

He is my baby (2014 picture):



Good luck and enjoy your mods !!!

 

Love the view !!

 

If your set on running those wheels the drop should help the look considerably, but the tires are just ridiculous small. I would try to sell the tires I'm sure someone can run them on a Honda or something. Then go with a 205/50/16, if they are 7.5" wide with a 205 you will still have a slightly stretched look. Or just sell the set and go with a 17" set to make life easier, I'm sure you could sell those wheels easily as many like that style wheel.

 

Hey guys. Been busy this week and got the new tires (BFG g-force super comp2 summer tires 205/50/16) and coilovers (Megan Racing) installed. This is how the car currently sits with the coilovers at their preset height. I'll be taking it a bit lower and getting my alignment possibly tomorrow.

 

Much improved, looks great. With 16" wheels, 205/50/16 tires seem to be the right over all look. My Michelin Pilots go on this week, can't wait.

 

I can't see the pics

 

Fixed them!

 

Wooow! that's another car!!!

Enjoy your wheels, congrats!

 

Keep an eye on those BFG G-Force tires. I had some on my mini for a while and at first they were awesome....but they quickly got very loud, and the tread started doing some really funky stuff. After around 10,000 miles they were so bad I had to get rid of them.