I've been reviewing the various threads concerning 16 inch tires and find no real consensus regarding 205/50 vs 205/55 on a Justa. I see advantages and disadvantages for both.

SO.

Between the two, which did you choose, why, and are you happy with your decision?

I'm particularly interested in the Justa because I have concern about winding up in the wrong torque range at low speed with the 55s, and winding up running too many RPM on the interstate with the 55s (and I'm not happy with the stock 195/55/16).

Your experiences please.

 

There is about 3% difference in gearing between the two sizes. Weight of the selected tire may matter more.

I went with 205/50-16 with Dunlop Star Specs. If I was going with all seasons I would have selected 205/55-16 to get the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S plus.

 

...Good thread...

 

I have run many sizes on my 04 mcs, the 205 55 16 I like best for Winter, a bit more sidewall for the pot holes, and better in the snow in my opinion, was not a fan of the 205 50 16, actually like the 215 50 16 best in the 16 inch size, currently I am running 215 45 17s

 

I got 205/55/16s put on my Bridgespokes by mistake. Said 50, but they misheard. No biggie. The Eagle GTs look HUGE regardless, and the car is lowered. Since its lowered I think the 50s would have been better.

IF they are going to see snow. stay skinny. I wish id have just done the 195s lol.

 

I did the calculations. 215/50/16 is closest in overall diameter to the 195/55/16 stock size, with a difference of less than 1/10th of 1 percent. My main concern is they might be just a little too wide for the stock 16" rims (availability and pricing are other issues). However, the other sizes mentioned were all less than 2% (Anything under 3% is considered acceptable, as far as I know.)

 

1/10 a percent on a "proper" sized rim... you stuff 'er on there and itll be a little more off... though when things are that close you could even argue tire-wear would be a bigger difference lol

 

I went with 205/55-16. I'm not a good enough driver to get to the margin where the difference between 50 and 55 is going to matter. MINI is used mostly for daily commute, so I went ahead with the ever so slightly better riding option. And it marginally fills the tire well a bit better.

Going from the stock RFs to S.Drives in a slightly larger size, I've seen about a 2 MPG drop off in fuel efficiency. Speedometer is appx. 1 MPH more accurate than the stock size @ highway speeds. Not big into the jackrabbit starts, so can't really tell about an impact on the low end. I haven't noticed anything negative, but probably not the best source.

hth!

 

Oh yeah. I also learned after I got the Eagle GTs that they have an XL sidewall... supposedly means theyre stiffer....and they seem like it... was hoping for a little more cush

 

I'm not sure I follow. I'm assuming the same stock 16" rims for the new tires (in my case, X-Lite/R84s). Are you saying there might be a difference due to the new tires being non-RFs? ...Or, due to the rims being designed for RFs?
FWIW, I also agree that 205/55/16 is the best compromise.

 

Here's a good tire calculator.. tells you speed differences etc..

http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp


I'm thinking 215/50s as well but am worried about rim width. How wide are our stock 16in rims? Any difference between Justas & MCSs? I have a 2005 base

 

These should be the same width rim between a justa and a S. I think that you would like wider rubber, especially if you are looking a UHPS or UHPAS tires. I run a 215/40/17 rather than a 205/45/17 on my S-Lites and I can tell you firsthand, there is a difference in the stability of a wider tire. The car feels more controlled than when the tires are skinnier. If you have any specific questions on tires, contact Alex at Tire Rack or feel free to shoot me an e-mail, I am know a lot about tire compounds after my latest search for the best All Season, lol

 

15x5.5
16x6.5

 

I've currently got 205/50/16 Kuhmo ASTs on R90 rims (see pic) and will be switching to 205/55/16 on the next set of tires Bridgestone G019s. I'm hoping that it will decrease wheel spin at pull outs and correct the spedo error that I see. IMO 215s would just decrease the turnin which is fine if you are an autoXer but not everyone likes that.

Bob

 

I meant based on the 2 tires specs theyre very close....But when you cram the wider of the two on a small rim, those specs become a little more incorrect as the tire probably would "bulge", but then I went on to say it probably isnt by all that much