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Looking for a tire/wheel setup for my R53. Can’t decide on 205 or 215 for a nice fitment. I’d love to get a tire that fits properly but 215 tire selection is extremely slim. Which leads me to 205 line up with plentiful of selection. My concern with 205 is the amount of tire stretch that is involved. Anybody have some input? PLEASE!
I've been running BF Goodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S size 205/45/16 on my R53 now for a few months, a great tire in all but serious snow.I can't say enough about how happy I've been with them.Previous tires were Yokohama S-Drives, same size.
I would worry about rapid wear from the camber at the rear with a wider tire.
That’s the same tire I was interested in. I can’t get a set for $385 installed here in my state. Really wanted a summer tire but weather here says different. What are the specs on your current wheels? I heard the stretch is very minimal from friends but still wasn’t sure.
I have OEM R84 wheels, they are 6.5 wide , the G-Force Comp A/S 2 has a fairly rounded sidewall , looks a little weird at first but they help soak up the bumps .
Not sure about the stretch factor, I would think it would influence the sidewall geometry a bit too much to try them on a 8" rim. The guys to ask would be on the Tire Rack
section of this forum.
I have to tell you, I can't really say I lost all that much grip going from the Yokos to the BFG's...I don't get as crazy with the car as I used to but even canyon carving over the mountain to Reno the handling was superb.I love them.
That's a great price for the tires, out here in CA they were 450.00 installed, but I got the alignment free since I know the tire store owner.
Looking for a tire/wheel setup for my R53. Can’t decide on 205 or 215 for a nice fitment. I’d love to get a tire that fits properly but 215 tire selection is extremely slim. Which leads me to 205 line up with plentiful of selection. My concern with 205 is the amount of tire stretch that is involved. Anybody have some input? PLEASE!
For an 8" wide rim you want 225/50-16 or similar width tire size but this is a taller than OEM tire diameter so less clearance with lowered suspension and wider than OEM wheel.
Which tire were you looking to use? For what purpose?
For an 8" wide rim you want 225/50-16 or similar width tire size but this is a taller than OEM tire diameter so less clearance with lowered suspension and wider than OEM wheel.
Which tire were you looking to use? For what purpose?
The tire I am looking isn’t available in 225/50/16! Right now I’m stick suspension wise until spring rolls around. Then some coilovers will be put on. G-FORCE COMP-2 A/S is the tire I would really want to use but looking into summer tires since I won’t use the tire setup in the winter. Really my use of the car is a daily but spirited driving in the weekend apart from my truck. Track use isn’t something I’m into for now!
The tire I am looking isn’t available in 225/50/16! Right now I’m stick suspension wise until spring rolls around. Then some coilovers will be put on. G-FORCE COMP-2 A/S is the tire I would really want to use but looking into summer tires since I won’t use the tire setup in the winter. Really my use of the car is a daily but spirited driving in the weekend apart from my truck. Track use isn’t something I’m into for now!
Good street tire, does come in 225/50-16.
Alternate tire in same class could be Continental DWS 06 but less sharp handling and more ride comfort. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is very good but more expensive.
When doing full adjustable coilovers then adjust ride height just enough for clearance when using tall diameter tires on wide wheels.
If you don't need cold weather tires then Max Summer tires will give the best handling and performance but may wear faster and be a little less comfortable.
Good street tire, does come in 225/50-16.
Alternate tire in same class could be Continental DWS 06 but less sharp handling and more ride comfort. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is very good but more expensive.
When doing full adjustable coilovers then adjust ride height just enough for clearance when using tall diameter tires on wide wheels.
If you don't need cold weather tires then Max Summer tires will give the best handling and performance but may wear faster and be a little less comfortable.
Must have overlooked that size. I think 225/50/16 is too much tire in my opinion. Is 50 too much side wall to fit under the archs without losing them? Not sure I haven’t seen the tire/wheel setup before. I’ll have to look at the summer tires to decide what works best for me. Any references of 225/50/16 on 16x8 ‘s?
Must have overlooked that size. I think 225/50/16 is too much tire in my opinion. Is 50 too much side wall to fit under the archs without losing them? Not sure I haven’t seen the tire/wheel setup before. I’ll have to look at the summer tires to decide what works best for me. Any references of 225/50/16 on 16x8 ‘s?
225/50-16 is too much tire? Fits 16x8 rim and that is what you have. So does that mean too much/width for the wheel or wheel is OK but you want lower stiffer harsher riding sidewall? If so then race tires are the place to look but ride quality will suffer and tread wear will be much faster for street use.
50 series sidewall is OK if you can adjust ride height to make enough clearance for extra wide and tall tire size. If you have lowering springs then there won't be enough clearance and often you will have to go with a tire size that is less than OEM tire diameter.
Example "race tire" for street duty (Extreme Summer tire)-
Falken Azenis RT615K+ 200 treadwear
215/45-16 $126 each, fits rims 7-8" wide perfect for 7" wide rim, 23.6" tire diameter
Or
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec 200 treadwear
225/45-16 $146.20 each, special closeout limited stock at tirerack, fits rims 7-8.5" wide perfect for 7.5" wide rim, 23.9" tire diameter
For R compound race tire that is streetable-
Toyo R888R Treadwear 100
225/45-16 $135.75 each, fits rims 7-8.5" wide perfect for 7.5" wide rim, 23.9" tire diameter
More suited for track or road course racing but can be run on street, noisy and very firm riding, not for wet roads, wears fast but OK if you don't drive far.
Last edited by minihune; Dec 30, 2017 at 10:31 PM.
225/50-16 is too much tire? Fits 16x8 rim and that is what you have. So does that mean too much/width for the wheel or wheel is OK but you want lower stiffer harsher riding sidewall? If so then race tires are the place to look but ride quality will suffer and tread wear will be much faster for street use.
50 series sidewall is OK if you can adjust ride height to make enough clearance for extra wide and tall tire size. If you have lowering springs then there won't be enough clearance and often you will have to go with a tire size that is less than OEM tire diameter.
Example "race tire" for street duty (Extreme Summer tire)-
Falken Azenis RT615K+ 200 treadwear
215/45-16 $126 each, fits rims 7-8" wide perfect for 7" wide rim, 23.6" tire diameter
Or
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec 200 treadwear
225/45-16 $146.20 each, special closeout limited stock at tirerack, fits rims 7-8.5" wide perfect for 7.5" wide rim, 23.9" tire diameter
For R compound race tire that is streetable-
Toyo R888R Treadwear 100
225/45-16 $135.75 each, fits rims 7-8.5" wide perfect for 7.5" wide rim, 23.9" tire diameter
More suited for track or road course racing but can be run on street, noisy and very firm riding, not for wet roads, wears fast but OK if you don't drive far.
By too much tire I ment fitment wise. Worried about how much rubbing is going to occur with oem suspension. If 50 series is too tall than how would lowering springs help? Little confused now haha. 205 on a 8in rim is beyond the stretch I’m comfortable with. If I can fit a 225/50/16 with oem suspense then I gues that’ll be fine.
Rubbing has to do with clearance. OEM suspension has some clearance for taller and wider than OEM tires so 225/50-16 is OK most times. 205/55-16 is the same tire diameter and it clears.
Problem is you reduce clearance with wider wheels then reduce further with any lowered suspension. Lowering springs give a fixed amount of drop and generally restricts tall and sometimes wider tire sizes so best way to get clearance with modded suspension is with fully adjustable coilovers which are expensive but you can drop just enough to clear the tires.
205mm wide tire on 8" wide rim is not ideal for handling, performance, wear or looks except if you want the stretch look. 205 is better for 7" wide rim. Tire sizes are very limited for 16" when you are working with extra wide rims.
Overall you will be OK with OEM suspension but as you mentioned 50 series sidewall on 225 mm wide tire is tall. However all is not lost, the exact tire you choose has a lot to do with how the tire feels. Look for XL load rated tires, these are built with stiffer sidewall materials to handle higher loads resulting in a little stiffer feel. Look at tire reviews to see which models have a responsive feel and which are vague and soft (stay away).
In general Extreme and Max Summer tires are going to give the best grip and handling but wear faster. Tire sizes can be a problem but just search within those classes.
All season tires are more for three seasons and a little cold weather, good for wet or dry and longer treadlife with street use. Some handle well but will cost more.
Rubbing has to do with clearance. OEM suspension has some clearance for taller and wider than OEM tires so 225/50-16 is OK most times. 205/55-16 is the same tire diameter and it clears.
Problem is you reduce clearance with wider wheels then reduce further with any lowered suspension. Lowering springs give a fixed amount of drop and generally restricts tall and sometimes wider tire sizes so best way to get clearance with modded suspension is with fully adjustable coilovers which are expensive but you can drop just enough to clear the tires.
205mm wide tire on 8" wide rim is not ideal for handling, performance, wear or looks except if you want the stretch look. 205 is better for 7" wide rim. Tire sizes are very limited for 16" when you are working with extra wide rims.
Overall you will be OK with OEM suspension but as you mentioned 50 series sidewall on 225 mm wide tire is tall. However all is not lost, the exact tire you choose has a lot to do with how the tire feels. Look for XL load rated tires, these are built with stiffer sidewall materials to handle higher loads resulting in a little stiffer feel. Look at tire reviews to see which models have a responsive feel and which are vague and soft (stay away).
In general Extreme and Max Summer tires are going to give the best grip and handling but wear faster. Tire sizes can be a problem but just search within those classes.
All season tires are more for three seasons and a little cold weather, good for wet or dry and longer treadlife with street use. Some handle well but will cost more.
I appreciate the in-depth response for my noob question. The tire I was looking at recently is FIREHAWK INDY 500 225/50R16 92W 340AA mainly for the great reviews and PRICE.
The Indy 500 is a good choice for Ultra High Perf Summer tire, try it out and see what you think for the driving you do. Then see how your own opinion compares to the various comments and reviews. Next time you have a better idea of how to interpret the reviews you read. This tire also a good value.
note that over time rubber in tires will harden and change with wear and exposure to the elements. Old tires tend to ride harsher and be noisy yet treads will not wear down that much.
Max Summer tire rubber is softer and wears faster so unless you do limited driving the rubber doesn't get quite as hard, mostly it wears out. You usually get the next level up in handling and grip though.
Late response but I ordered the Indy 500’s from tire rack. Order updated for a back order until late this month or mid February. Patiently waiting for them to arrive and this Michigan winter to be over. I’ll update again when the whees/tires are installed. Thanks minihune for the help. Fingers crossed they fit with minimal modding. ��
So test fitting has been complete. Only issues I’m running into is my back fenders rubbing one inch from the side wall. Probably not the best section to ask about it but anybody have a solution. Really don’t want to add any kind of camber. Maybe cut some of the fenders? Not sure.
Yes, due to extra wide tires and wheels your wheel arch plastic is cutting into your tire.
Trim the inner black plastic with a dremmel tool for more clearance and to smooth out the edge that is touching. At least it will cut the tire less.
You can adjust rear camber to more negative using the Stock lower control arms and that will move the rubbing area more to the outer tread blocks and give you a little more angle tilting the tire inward. You can try -1.8 degrees and see if that works, you will get more tire tread wear on the inner treads with daily driving. More negative than that might increase tendency to understeer depending on how much front camber you run.
