They look pretty good: TESTED: Continental Tire ExtremeContact Sport

And available in a few Fit friendly sizes: ExtremeContact Sport - 205/50ZR15 86W | Continental

I'm tempted but they are a bit wide for my 6.5" rims.

Decisions, decisions...

 

Not sure why you think that or are getting your info from?

That tire has a measured rim width of 6.5" and will fit (no pun intended) a 5.5"-7.5" rim. Most tire manufactures provide that information and retailers like Tire Rack usually have it on their website.

 

True, but as that tire has a section width of 8.4" and a tread width of 6.9" a 15x7" rim should result in better handling.

I'm more struggling with the idea of spending the extra money on a high end tire and mounting it on a rim that is likely sub-optimal, even through it will physically fit without issues.

As opposed to getting one of the usual (and cheaper) suspects in 195/50R15.

 

i autocross a different car. The more rubber you put down the better it handles. I run a 245/40R17 Bridgestone RE-71R on an 8" wide wheel. That tire has a measured rim width of 8.5" section width of 9.8" and thread width of 8.6". Using what you posted I should be using either a 225/45 with a thread width of 7.6" or a 235/45 with a thread width of 7.7"? I've run those sizes along with a 255/40. I can tell you the car handles best with the 245/40, next was the 255/40 which was technically pinched since it requires a 8.5-10" wide wheel had a section width of 10.2" and a thread width of 8.9". Third was the 235/45 which BTW was the OEM size and worst was the 225/45

if you don't want to spend the money or can't afford to that's one thing. Trying to rationalize the decision based on not having the "ideal" setup is another. The car will handle way better with the 205 regardless if it's with a 6.5" wide or 7" wide wheel. Besides you shouldn't even be able to push the car on the street to the point of even noticing a difference in wheel width without breaking some laws and endangering someone's life

 

I do appreciate your input Rob,

Having owned my Fit for over ten years I have run a few different wheel setups on it. In the winter I have always run 175 tires on 14x5.5 rims, and in the summers typically 185 or 195 tires on 15x6 oem rims (up to this point).

Personally, I've found that on the 110hp 2500lb Fit I prefer a 185/55 over a 195/55 when using a 15x6. In general the 185/55s just feel like a nimbler and lighter tire with less tendency to hydroplane.

I recently picked up a set of 15x6.5 Konig Lightspeeds which came with (completely worn down) 205/50R15 RE-11s. I threw them on the car just for fun the other day and was not overly impressed with the steering feel - it just felt like the car didn't want to turn. There is no way I could use them as a daily driver.

Is this more of a characteristic of the RE-11s or something typical of all 205s?

If you were using a Fit as a daily driver (with a separate winter setup) what would you put on 15x6.5 rims?

Edit - this is for a GD3

 

I'd run a 195 at most.

I've always heard- 195 for 15x7, 205 for 15x8, 225 for 15x9, 245 for 15x10

 

Narrower tire is always going to have less tendency to hydroplane


Could be the RE-11? I've never run the RE-11 but use the RE-71R which superseded it. Before the RE-71R came out I ran the Dunlop Direzza ZII* spec. I thought it was more responsive and had better turn in when compared to the same size RE-71R. I say this because I had both mounted to wheels at the same time. I used the RE-71R for autocross since it was good for probably 1/2 second on a 60 second course. I was using up the previous years ZII* spec just daily driving.

That's a very good question.

I also have a winter/snow tire setup. I bought a set of not the most stylish 15X6.5" Borbet wheels from a member here for $60 My original plan was to have my snow tires switched from the black steel wheels to the Borbet's. Due to procrastination I never got around to that.

In the spring I bought a set of TR's or Tire Rack's house brand wheels in a 16X7" from a different member here. My original plan was to buy a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports which I found aren't offered in anything smaller the 17" and use those for the summer.

During that time the weather was getting warmer so I had the original 185/60R15 Firestone 740's with maybe 3K miles removed from the stock steel wheels with hubcaps and put on the 15X6.5" Borbet wheels and that's what I've been driving on. Didn't notice any increase or decrease in handling or any other performance difference, but it's a crap tire. The tire does seem a little stretched on the 6.5" wheel?





I was at a friends house who has a tire machine and balancer in his garage having my new set of autocross tires put on for the season. Another mutual friend was there for the same reason. He races a Fiesta ST. His take off 205/50R16 Bridgestone RE-71R had a reasonable amount of life left. He didn't want the used tires so he gave them to me. Since I had the set of 16X7" TR's I went home, picked up the wheels and we mounted them. Turn in, handling, and overall performance is WAY better with these compared to the stock tires. I did autocross it one weekend a couple weeks back with a smaller less competitive club just out of curiosity. Could be my imagination but the car doesn't seem to accelerate as easily with them. Dropped about 2mpg in fuel economy, but I really don't care. I came from a vehicle that got 25mpg and was basically looking for something in the mid 30's while shopping for the FIT.

Pax Time Results





So to answer your original question. When the Firestone 740's are used up, I'll either try the tires you're looking in the 205/45R16 or 225/50R16 on the 16X7" TR's or if I come across a deal on some used 17X7" wheel that I like I'll buy them and get a set of Michelin PSS

Sorry for being lengthy, hope it answered your question?

 

Well, most of that is wrong. At least in regard to an RE-71R. The tire manufacturers will list their recommended rim width range. Lots of variables besides the physical characteristics such as width and aspect ratio. Anyway yes the 195 will work on a 7" wide wheel. The 205/50/15 the recommended rim width range is 5.5-7.5" so your 8" recordation isn't what the tire manufacturer is recommending. Jumping to 16" since Bridgestone doesn't offer a 15" in anything wider than 205. For the 225/50/16 they recommend 6-8" wide rim or a 1" narrower than you recommend or have heard. For a 245/40/17 the rim width range is 8-9.5". Sure the "stance" crowd will stretch a 205 on a 9" wide wheel, but I don't think that's what the OP is after?

 

I had decided on a set of 195/50R15 Kumho PS31 but they were out of stock, so now I have a set of these Conti ECS on order - should be here next week.

When I get them mounted I'll post some pictures.

 

I'm largely quoting 949 Racing's many posts on this topic from Miata forums.

Or the many posts on S2ki advocating for 17x10 for 255/40, rather than 17x9 (which is what I personally run), as the wider wheels is generally faster.