Opinions on 15x7 on 195/50/15

GTornado · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 07:03 AM

Hey guys,

I am currently looking for a second set of wheels. Due to the fact that I am quite a noob with hardly any experiences, it would be cool to receive some advice from you guys. At the moment, I am running 205/40/17 with 17x7. These are great wheels, but they're bad for driving with only 80 hp.

My current favorite:
Volk TE 37, 15x7 4x100 gloss black
Toyo T1R 195/50/15

What do you think about it? Pros are definitely the light weight, smaller tire diameter (=car is lower in comparison to the 17's and the stock 15's) and the option to run a semi-slick in future. Cons are the look (the longer I see these small wheels, the better I like them though) and maybe two problems:

What about the wheel gap? With my stock wheels, it's now about two fingers. Another question would be whether the wheel will stand out as much much as my 17x7 rims in the fender or not. I am lowered in Tein s.tech springs. What is more, I am not sure which offset I can run. My rear fender is slightly pulled and I read that anything about +42-45 is okay.

For your information: The new wheels will be used for daily drive (= a bit of loading) as well as for track use.

It would be great if you could give me any tip or comment on the idea of these wheels. Thanks in advance!

Texas Coyote · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 12:20 PM

I went from stock alloy 15 X 6.5 wheels and 195X55X15 tires to 9 1/2 lb EnKei RPF1 15"X7" wheels and 195x55X15 Conti Pro Contact tires.... This combination has worked out very well for me.... The sales person at Tire Rack was encouraging me to buy 205X50X15 tires and if I had been interested in auto cross at the time that is what I would have gotten. I am not dropped and more concerned with performance than appearance and not concerned about a gap between the top of the wheel well and the tire.... The change will make you love driving your car more than any of the other things that you've done to it.

trancedsailor · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 01:08 PM

I'm on 15x6.5 195/50 Kumho's and there is no rubbing anymore. If you have 2 fingers with 17s, it's going to be worse with 15's. I think. Get coilovers, dude.

GTornado · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trancedsailor

I'm on 15x6.5 195/50 Kumho's and there is no rubbing anymore. If you have 2 fingers with 17s, it's going to be worse with 15's. I think. Get coilovers, dude.

I get 2 fingers with my 15" stock wheels. Sorry, if there was a misunderstanding. I am trying to get coilovers in future but first I have to know which ones may be allowed over here...

I found this picture and it looks as if he's also running 195/50/15 (not sure though). Hopefully it will look like that...that would be pretty dope.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...s%20Jazz/5.jpg

What about performance? Do you really feel the lower weight? I think I will save 16 kg with new wheels which is quite a high number.

trancedsailor · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 02:09 PM

wow yellow Fits are sexy. Why didn't they make green? lol.

It might look like that, I dunno though. My car is way lower, you can't get a finger in the gap up front. I do feel the lighter weight, but in tight turns it seems like it 'skips' a bit, sorta like wheelhop but during a tight corner. Doesn't make any sense to me, maybe it's because I don't have LSD? Or something else? Eventually I want RPF1's or the Spoon wheels, something under 10lbs. My Konigs are about 12-13lbs a piece

Texas Coyote · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 02:43 PM

The wheel hop that you experience in tight turns with the throttle down is because your CV joints are binding and the effects are compounded by the dropped springs....I had a CV joint spill its guts on a diesel VW doing that in 1982 and avoid full lock throttle down turns at all cost.... Lighter wheels are the best thing you can do for your car.... They will make the whole drive last longer as well as the suspension and steering components..... I have experienced a smoother ride, lighter steering, amazing braking, better traction, accelleration, and less drive train wind up that causes wheel hop in straight line hard accelleration from a dead stop..... Less unsprung weight and rotational mass is a wonderful thing.

GTornado · #7 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 04:26 PM

Nevertheless, I am still thinking regarding the wheel gap...anyway, what offset would be best? Thanks for your help!

Texas Coyote · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 04:41 PM

My wheels are 41 offset and rubbed lightly on the front when turning on a slightly bumpy road. I just squeezed the inner plastic toward the metal part of the fender to fix it. I am thinking about installing longer studs and a 5MM or 1/4" spacer on the rear wheels.... The difference in gap between what you have and want is less than 1.75MM

FLFIT239 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 04:46 PM

im getting new rims and wheels i pretty much posted the same thread haha and had the same convo im going with 15x7 195/50/15 +32 offset

Texas Coyote · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:02 PM

Tire Rack would not mount 195/50s on my 7" rims.

FLFIT239 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:08 PM

im getting my tires at costco and the guy said that you just have to sign a waiver saying that its not the recommended size and that anything goes wrong its your fault and then they will mount any size you want

FLFIT239 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:09 PM

get dat wholesale on baby but i have no clue how tirerack does it

Texas Coyote · #13 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:15 PM

I had some 205X60s on 8" steel racing wheels on another vehicle and they weren't on it very long.... I hope that you have better luck than I had.

JDMchris.com · #14 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:22 PM

just get 205, especially if ur gonna track it. World of difference in the handling.

FLFIT239 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDMchris.com

just get 205, especially if ur gonna track it. World of difference in the handling.

thats what i was gonna get i was gonna go 15x7.5 on 205/50/15 and everyone kept telling me your gonna rub your gonna rub

JDMchris.com · #16 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:28 PM

With coilovers you wont rub... with springs you will. but who cares.. it handles so much better.

mahout · #17 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTornado

Hey guys,

I am currently looking for a second set of wheels. Due to the fact that I am quite a noob with hardly any experiences, it would be cool to receive some advice from you guys. At the moment, I am running 205/40/17 with 17x7. These are great wheels, but they're bad for driving with only 80 hp.

My current favorite:
Volk TE 37, 15x7 4x100 gloss black
Toyo T1R 195/50/15

What do you think about it? Pros are definitely the light weight, smaller tire diameter (=car is lower in comparison to the 17's and the stock 15's) and the option to run a semi-slick in future. Cons are the look (the longer I see these small wheels, the better I like them though) and maybe two problems:

What about the wheel gap? With my stock wheels, it's now about two fingers. Another question would be whether the wheel will stand out as much much as my 17x7 rims in the fender or not. I am lowered in Tein s.tech springs. What is more, I am not sure which offset I can run. My rear fender is slightly pulled and I read that anything about +42-45 is okay.

For your information: The new wheels will be used for daily drive (= a bit of loading) as well as for track use.

It would be great if you could give me any tip or comment on the idea of these wheels. Thanks in advance!

The most successful here are 205/50x15 on 15x7 wheels with 45 mm offset if they are lowered for the performance and 195/40x17 on 17x7/45 for the looks. 175/65x15 winter tires.

trancedsailor · #18 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 06:30 PM

think I'll go with 205s next time I need tires, and RPF1's. Thanks Coyote for explaining the CV joint issue.

mimpi · #19 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 08:13 PM

dont waste your money for a TE with a shit offset.

15x7 +35 or +32 sits nice on the jazz. i'd go with 195/50/15, if you chunky look tyres then go for 205/50 lol

nxtfit_08 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLFIT239

im getting my tires at costco and the guy said that you just have to sign a waiver saying that its not the recommended size and that anything goes wrong its your fault and then they will mount any size you want

^^^ thats stupid bro just get the tires and one day you dont have crap to do come up to o-town and ill mount them on for you thats bullshit! btw the only thing that changes on tire size the 195/50r15 on a 15x7 rim will strech a little bit but not enough to notice the difference on a 205/50r15 will just be a little wider and will handle about the same but will rub depending how low you are! trust bro this is what i do for a living i work for goodyear! right now im running 195/50r15 on a 15x7 +40 offset and i rubb but thats cause im on coils

btw go lower trancedsailor!lol