205/50/R16 or 205/55/R16
 

I am moving to Michelin Pilot sport A/S tires after having some Yokahama Avids that literally came apart on me. I had the 205/50/R16 Yokahoma's but keep seeing people on here that say they have the 205/55/R16 Pilots.

Just wondering which I should go for? I like the wider look of the 205's but want to make sure I am not missing something here with the sidewall height.

Thanks,
Kevin

The sidewall difference between the 205/50-R16 to the 205/55-R16 is 3.4%.
So, when you're speedo reads 60mph, you're actually traveling 62mph.

It's up to you if you want the increased ~0.4" sidewall; personally, I'd find the more cost effective tire.

- Erik

Thanks Erik,

That makes sense. It looks like I am getting better deals on the 50 so I will stick with that one. Appreciate the help.

Kev

From stock (195/55R16), you're only off 1.7% either way you go -- otherwise at 3% and higher difference there's mention that you may have braking problems with the ABS computer misreading things.

The 50mm sidewall, you're traveling faster (60.9 @ 60)
The 55mm sidewall, you're traveling slower (58.9 @ 60)

At this point, it's a personal preference along with for what you're using the tires.

Just a suggestion: look at Cooper RS3-A (or S) or Continental ExtremeContact DS (or DSW) or even the ContiProContact. I have the ExtremeContacts on my wife's MCS and I am going to the Coopers RS3-S for my Challenger but am considering them for the MCS too.

The choice between those two sizes has been discussed here before, and there are advocates for both sizes. Alex at Tire Rack has mentioned that the 195/55 may rub at the top of the fender at full compression, but I don't remember anyone else with that size complaining about that. Maybe it's just on lowered cars.

I have had 205/55R16 come back rubbing on more than a few occasions. I always get to hear it when things don't work optimally. :nod:

The stock in 16" is 195/55 which is between 205/50 and 205/55, the speedo is optimistic with the stock size, so when you're doing 60, the speedo actually reads 59. The ECU actually reads 1% over, but there's a 2mph offset when the speed is displayed.

i've got 205/50/16s on mine. no issues at all except for the speedo nonsense, but i use the speedo on my Garmin anyway so that issue never bothers me.

I've found that the slightly smaller diameter probably helps with accelleration a bit, and my mileage stayed within the same range that it had been in with the stock 195s so no issue there either.

in truth, I picked the 205/50s because they just looked right, and they've worked well for me.

Hi all:

I've been scouring all the threads to get info on replacing my worn out runflat tires. I've decided (like so many others) to go with the Yokohama AVID Envigors - which I can get locally. Yay.

But, sizing question.

This forum has said I can go to either 205/50/16 or 205/55/16 from my stock wheel 195/55/16. I'm thinking I'd like the 205/55/16 as I'm not especially into a lowered look, don't have an adjusted suspension, and would like a less bumpy ride if possible (I have a 2008 MCS, manual).

Some of the posts say "No problem with rubbing. Sure! Go with 205/55/16" Others say, "Nah. Problems with rubbing. Use 205/50/16." It's one or the other. The local tire man says "205/50/16" no problems.

Comments?

Surly, you will not get a lowered look with 205/50s. The lower the car less than a half an inch.

But if you are driving a Justa, they will help get the car into a better torque RPM much more quickly than the 55s will. The "S" has sufficient torque to make the difference irrelevant.

On my car, the difference could be felt clearly. YMMV.

Picture: 205X50 on the left, 195X55 on the right

Thanks Herleman!

Piccys helped. I'm a newb when it comes to tires. My last vehicle was a pick-up truck :-0

I'm feeling good with my decision - 205/50/16. Wish I could get new rims, but garage needs a new roof, and I got laid off this year.

When my runflats wore out I replaced them with Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S, 205/55-16. I would have preferred the look of the 205/50-16, but the 55 were slightly less money and I expected a slightly better ride due to the slightly higher side-wall. I have not experienced any rubbing.

I currently have 205/50-16 on OZ 16x7 wheels... no rubbing!

Going to a 215/45-16 on these for summer and 225/45-15 on 15x7 for track. ;-)

Profile Change : 195/55 to 205/55

Changed to 205/55/16 , wheel arch much fuller but not noticed fouling yet. The roads here in Ireland around me are a bit squiffy so the higher tyrewall may be an advantage.

pic_profile_old_new

Benefit in cost 20 Euro a tyre cheaper.

Thanks.

J13

Better Pic

The yellow indicates the difference in height, the outer wall is lined up.

{ - ignore the brakes, I did not get the angle right }