Trying to pick a replacement tire size...

sevenaprils · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2009, 11:38 AM

So I'm going to be in the market for new tires sometime this summer. Before I pick a brand I want to decide on a tire.
I'm dropped on Skunk2's, so 2" F, 1.5" R. I'm debating between just getting some similar OE sized tires (195s) or:
185s, to bring the car ever so slightly more low.
-or-
205s, to fill in the wheel well a give a more "tire tuck" appearance, but maintain the ride height.

Anyone out there that has experience with either the 185s or 205s, please chime in!
I think I may have rubbing with 205s? but that could be the lesser of two evils since the 185s would make my undercarriage, lips, etc. more vulnerable I think...

Lemme know what you guys/gals think!

Oh, new rims aren't in the near future, so this is for the factory sport 15's.

score04w · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2009, 02:13 PM

id do the 205's imo, they arent that much bigger, but they'll make for a nicer look

solbrothers · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2009, 02:46 PM

id get more of the OEM size, but thats me

rodpaine · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 07:08 AM

I'd forget about "looks" and concentrate on what will improve the Fits handling. The 205/45/16 on my '08 Fit Sport made a major difference, versus the stock 15-inch setup. Infact, while the 16-inch tires are lower profile, they are significantly quieter than the Dunlop SP31 that came on the car. The Dunlops are back on for winter, but the 205/45/16 go back on as soon as temperatures permit.
FWIW,
-Rod

sevenaprils · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 09:47 AM

Well like I said, I'll be keeping the OEM alloys so 15"s. The 205/45/16 isn't on my list of options.
There's a 205/55?/15 and that'd be my option I think.

So I'm thinking I'll either go OEM 195s or bump up to the 205s but the 185s will probably be out - I think it'll compromise ride quality.

Keep the thoughts/ideas coming! I'd like to know what tire setups people have tried with the 15x6.5 stockers!

solbrothers · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 01:39 PM

205 55 15 would be a much taller tire.

i dont think you understand the numbers on the side of the tire.

sevenaprils · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 02:36 PM

OEM is 195/55/15. If I get a 205/50/15 what am I looking at size difference wise? Will it still fit w/ the drop? I'm fairly certain I recall a number of members who run the 205/50/15 on their rides. I've heard some issues with rubbing though.
For some reason the 195/55/15 options on tirerack are more expensive then the 205/50/15 options so I'm more inclined to go with the 205s.

Tofuman · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 02:41 PM

you will want to make sure that you keep the overall diameter of the tire the same if you want the speedometer to be accurate.

mahout · #9 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenaprils

OEM is 195/55/15. If I get a 205/50/15 what am I looking at size difference wise? Will it still fit w/ the drop? I'm fairly certain I recall a number of members who run the 205/50/15 on their rides. I've heard some issues with rubbing though.
For some reason the 195/55/15 options on tirerack are more expensive then the 205/50/15 options so I'm more inclined to go with the 205s.

The 195/55x15 tire is 23.44" diameter; the 205/50x15 is 23.07". The 205 is heavier so a tiny bit less diameter makes up for the weight penalty. I think the 205/50 will be no handicap unless your drop is excessive and the 195/55x15's barely clear or rub sometimes due to reduced offset wheels.
We standardize of 205/50x15 tires for summer (and 175/65X15 23.95" in winter to even things out.)

Tofuman · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 03:25 PM

the difference between the 195/55/15 and 205/50/15 isn't too bad. your speedo will be 1 mph off at 60 mph.

sevenaprils · #11 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 09:32 AM

Alright so after negotiating the tire sidewall sizing I opted for the following:
195/50/R15. So I have a 5% smaller sidewall ratio to my tread width, If I understand the values correctly.

Picked up a set of Kumho Ecstas ASTs. Looking forward to seeing how they feel - they were getting compared to the Falken Ziex 512s (I think) in terms of performance, but a little less wet traction but similar dry performance for a fraction of the cost.

Got mine for $46 a piece, plus shipping from tirerack :-)

Thanks for the help guys!

mahout · #12 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenaprils

Alright so after negotiating the tire sidewall sizing I opted for the following:
195/50/R15. So I have a 5% smaller sidewall ratio to my tread width, If I understand the values correctly.

Picked up a set of Kumho Ecstas ASTs. Looking forward to seeing how they feel - they were getting compared to the Falken Ziex 512s (I think) in terms of performance, but a little less wet traction but similar dry performance for a fraction of the cost.

Got mine for $46 a piece, plus shipping from tirerack :-)

Thanks for the help guys!

Sounds like you haven't the right idea about tire sizing.
There is nothing in the tire size that tells you the tread width. It is entirely up to the manufacturer.

The 195 refers to the width of the tire at the widest part of the sidewall.
While the tread width is usually about an inch narrower there is no standard. If you replaced a 195/55x15 tire with a 195/50x15 tire only the diameter changed (from 23.44 to 22.67") The width remains the same at 195 mm or v7.68". It is entirely possible that the tread width is less or more. The change won't affect your speedo or odo much and may help your mpg even though the odometer will read 103.miles for every 100 miles you drive.
One thing you may not like: the gap over your tire to fender will be nearly a half-inch greater than with 195/55x15 tires.
good luck, the AST's are a good tire for the money.

mahout · #13 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenaprils

OEM is 195/55/15. If I get a 205/50/15 what am I looking at size difference wise? Will it still fit w/ the drop? I'm fairly certain I recall a number of members who run the 205/50/15 on their rides. I've heard some issues with rubbing though.
For some reason the 195/55/15 options on tirerack are more expensive then the 205/50/15 options so I'm more inclined to go with the 205s.

The 205/50x15 tire is 23.07" diameter while the 195/55x15 is 23.44". Its an excellent tradeoff as the 205 is slightly heavier yet because the rolling diameter being slightly smaller the horsepower effort won't change much. That way both acceleration and mpg aren't much changed. The cornering adhesion however is greatly improved and tire wear should be better.

sevenaprils · #14 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 11:17 AM

alright, so I guess after reading the tirerack.com explanations I still got it off.
But at least 195/50 vs. 195/55, according you shouldn't be too much of a difference in terms of performance/mpgs?
I don't think I'll mind the gap much, and if I do I can look into slightly lower springs or this may be the excuse to get coil overs ha.
I'll let you know how I like them once they're mounted - for the time being I'm having a little fun with the the slipperiness of the old OEM Dunlops ha.

mahout · #15 (**permalink**) 02-18-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenaprils

alright, so I guess after reading the tirerack.com explanations I still got it off.
But at least 195/50 vs. 195/55, according you shouldn't be too much of a difference in terms of performance/mpgs?
I don't think I'll mind the gap much, and if I do I can look into slightly lower springs or this may be the excuse to get coil overs ha.
I'll let you know how I like them once they're mounted - for the time being I'm having a little fun with the the slipperiness of the old OEM Dunlops ha.

You'll be OK, unlike those who slap 35 mm offset wheels on. And its Pronounced Dunslops SP31's.