MrTodd

I've been browsing around this website (edgeracing.com) for tire prices, and I noticed something interesting about certain 15" tires...

Compare 195/55R15 to 195/50R15 - I'm looking at the Falken Ziex Ze512 specifically..

The lower 50 profile tire costs $18 less than the 55 profile tire. Why is this? Is it just because the smaller 50 series tire would be using a little less material in the manufacturing process than it's larger counterpart? I was under the impression that the lower the profile, the more expensive the tire would be.

I'm assuming that the lower profile tire might be a higher performing tire than the taller 55 series, due to less sidewall flexing (ie because it's shorter) and the smaller overall diamer resulting in higher torque...

So, IF the 50 profile tire would perform 'better', why would one want to spend the extra money and go with the larger, heavier tire? (19.2lbs vs 16.8lbs) Is it because a 195/55R15 sized tire would fit better on a 15x6.5 or 15x7 rim than the 195/50R15 size?

I apologize if these questions are foolish; I'm just trying to learn! Thanks everyone.