What is the optimum wheel and tire size to give the best overall vehicle performance?

 

I'm convinced it's one of the following combinations (lot's of "tireless" research, considering the performance, ride quality, and multiple weather conditions combination that's important to 90% of us guys/gals):

RSpeed:
Rota Circuit 8 16x7 w/ Toyo T1S Proxes 205/50-16

TireRack:
Kosei K1 Racing 16x7.5 w/ Yokohama AVS ES100 205/50-16 or Bridgestone Potenza RE 730 Gen.2

Problem:
RSpeed is out of the Toyo"s (due next week).
TireRack is out of the Yokohama's (due today).

In my case, I need them next week, so whoever comes through first, wins (DAN, PETER - ARE YOU LISTENING????).
I've checked around locally in Nashville for all of the tires and these guys beat the pricing by well over 30%. I'm sure the same holds true for the applicable rims as well.

 

What's the weight of the rims you've listed?

 

I've looked into a bunch of wheels/tire combos. After talking to a bunch of people and getting input from the boards and doing a bunch of research on what the miata folks are doing...I am going to most likely get Volk TE37s in white at 16"x7" with Toyo T1S Proxes 205/45-16 or 215/40-16. Only problem here is cost...the volks aren't cheap.

 

>>What's the weight of the rims you've listed?

Go to www.wheelweights.net. Awesome resource.

I've converted it to a spreadsheet (so I can filter to one size & compare wheels.) I'll post it if anyone wants it (PM me in case I miss your reply.)

Jeff

 

>>>>What's the weight of the rims you've listed?
>>
>>Go to www.wheelweights.net. Awesome resource.
>>
>>I've converted it to a spreadsheet (so I can filter to one size & compare wheels.) I'll post it if anyone wants it (PM me in case I miss your reply.)
>>
>>Jeff

I use that site all the time, but find the pdfs cumbersome....your spreadsheet would be great if you don't mind posting it.

Thanks in advance

 

anyone knows the weight of the stock 17 S-lite wheels and stock runflats?

 

anyone knows the weight of the stock 17 S-lite wheels and stock runflats?

 

>>RSpeed:
>>Rota Circuit 8 16x7 w/ Toyo T1S Proxes 205/50-16
>>
>>TireRack:
>>Kosei K1 Racing 16x7.5 w/ Yokohama AVS ES100 205/50-16 or Bridgestone Potenza RE 730 Gen.2


OK, I see that you're undecided on rim size here.

Which gives optimum performance on the MINI? Size 16x7 or Size 16x7.5 ?

 

>>I am going to most likely get Volk TE37s in white at 16"x7" with
>>Toyo T1S Proxes 205/45-16 or 215/40-16.

Hi daMatta, which size is better? wheel size 205/45-16 or wheel size 215/40-16 ?

 

>>>>I am going to most likely get Volk TE37s in white at 16"x7" with
>>>>Toyo T1S Proxes 205/45-16 or 215/40-16.
>>
>>Hi daMatta, which size is better? wheel size 205/45-16 or wheel size 215/40-16 ?

Too hard to say, too many factors to consider, what you will be using your car for, what perf mods you have, what suspension mods, what the weather is like in your area.

Instaed of trying to answer questions like this we should work on a faq for this...something that explains what wider tires will give you and take away, what taller or shorter sidewalls will do, what larger diamater will do etc....this way everyone else can look at it and based on their own needs can make a better choice as to what tire wheel combo is right.

 

what topics would you be intered in discussing in the FAQ?

 

Dan:

I have a MCS on order, with the stock 17" rims and performance tires. My use will consist of driving to work and pleasure driving. I ordered the 17" because folks say that it fills up the wheelwell making the car look better(?). Is there a difference in ride with the 17 versus 16?

 

>>what topics would you be intered in discussing in the FAQ?

Something similar to this - http://www.wtrscca.org/tech.htm but more info geared towards tires and wheels.

Like pros cons to light wheels, pros cons to wider rims, narrow rims, pros cons to tire compounds, tread design, tire weight, width, profile, etc.

With just some basic info on all of them so that people can read through and determine what wheel/tire size is correct for their own application.

 

There're lots of questions about fitment. It'd be nice to know what works, what doesn't (both with stock springs & otherwise.)

Also, after looking at tires for a 16x7 rim, it seems like there's three or four different sizes that will fit, but it's not clear what's more common, or what'll work better. (e.g. 205/50x16 or 19/45x16 or ????)

Thx,

Jeff

 

Along the same lines, I'd be interested in switching out my 17" S-lites with runflats for some lighter rims (I like the Kosei K1 Racing wheels) and some "daily" tires. I live in Seattle so rain performance is necessary. When I do a tire match on the tirerack website, only high performance tires show up.

After trying to dig through all the tire related issues, I still have yet to get a good recoommendation for a 17" tire that would perform well in the rain. I can give up on the runflats so a "normal" tire is fine....any suggestions? Lighter is better.

Sorry if this digresses from the topic, but I bet there are more of us that want a great lightweight combo that will work well off the track for everyday driving. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

While searching for tires @ Tire Rack, use the "SELECT CUSTOM SIZE" option and set your preferences. Don't narrow it too much, or you won't get too many hits. I read a lot of reviews and the Bridgstone RE730's seem to be a great all-around tire for the money, with good comments regarding wet performance. I went with the Toyo Proxes T1S's from RSpeed. Sold my 17's and went with 16's though.

 

I would like to see a bandwidth of appropriate offsets per wheel width; aka what 17x7 offset would be perfectly flush, versus stock, versus a 17x7.5, and so forth.

I can envision a table with stock wheels and offsets in the middle, with positive offsets to stock on one side and negative offsets to stock on the other.

thanks Dan the TireRack man!

 

In general, the taller sidewalls in 16 ich sizes tend to give the more comfortable ride
These taller sidewalls will also flex more in hard corenering, so expect the steering and handeling responce to be a bit delayed. In comparison 17's will ride fimer, and offer a more immidate cornering input responces. This is of course in theory compairing 2 of the same modle tires, with identical speed rating.

Dan
>>Dan:
>>
>>I have a MCS on order, with the stock 17" rims and performance tires. My use will consist of driving to work and pleasure driving. I ordered the 17" because folks say that it fills up the wheelwell making the car look better(?). Is there a difference in ride with the 17 versus 16?

 

I'd say what Mini puts on a re good sizes...

Shaq O'neal has some 26" custom made Spinner rims...those wouldn't even fit in the mini's wheel well.

 

>>What's the weight of the rims you've listed?Vince,
Vince,
I've got the 17X7.5 kosei R1s and they are ~17..
The 16" are ~16.5 I think. You'll see them Tuesday night.
Sweet set up with the Yoko AVES 100s.
Michael

 

Unfortunatly with offsets, it is on an case by case basis. there is a measurment refered to as X factor, witch is brake clearance. The spoke design of each indiviual wheels affects this caliper clearance. For this reason 2 wheels that are for instance 16x7.5 et 38, one may fit one may not. I wish it was less complex, but knowing those variable is exactly what tirerack is renownd for.

Dan
>>I would like to see a bandwidth of appropriate offsets per wheel width; aka what 17x7 offset would be perfectly flush, versus stock, versus a 17x7.5, and so forth.
>>
>>I can envision a table with stock wheels and offsets in the middle, with positive offsets to stock on one side and negative offsets to stock on the other.
>>
>>thanks Dan the TireRack man!

 

Dan

I understand that taller sidewalls give a more comfortable ride, and what about
tire width..???

 

A wider tire makes a wider and shorter contact patch. This helps in cornering and steering transitions in dry conditions. In theory a wider tire is more likelely to hydroplane. In my opinion if your gonig to hydroplane its will happen either way.

Another factor to concider is that the aspect ratio (sidewall height) is a persentage of the tire's width measuremnt. if you have a 205/50, your sidewalls will be 102.5 mm from beat seat to tread cap. A 225/50, has the same aspect ratio, but its actual sizewall height is 112.5.

So the width wont affect a tires ride, but the way tire sizing works the width will be directly proportional to sidewall height, wich controls ride comfort.

Dan
>>Dan
>>
>>I understand that taller sidewalls give a more comfortable ride, and what about
>>tire width..???