osbornsm

The stock 99-00 Civic Si comes with 195/55/15 rims. Would changing to a rim size of 205/50/15 make turn-in sloppy becuase the tire width is wider than the rim was designed?

Note: I realize that it's only 10mm but i want performance, not sluggish steering.

Thanx all

96 SOHC VTEC

Yeah, I think it would a little bit.

deepnite

the sluggishness would be more due to the larger contact patch..ull have a stiffer sidewall and better traction into the turns..at speed ull feel more control with a steadier ride..go with the wider tires

owen_the_soyboy

azenis 205 wide is mor elike 212 wide. just a FYI.

other tires will be closer to 205.

a 205 wide on a oem civic si rim can feel sloppy, even ITR owners have noticed some shitty steering with upgrading to 205 wide tires on oem ITR rims.

*it really depends on ACTUAL width, sidewall stiffness and tire pressure.
*if I had oem civic si wheels, I would run Bridgestone S03 or S02 whatever that one everyone gets in 195/50r15 size at tirerack.com for cheap ($80 or so).

osbornsm

These have to be All Season Tires. So i am actually looking at Dunlop SP 5000. They have the best record for all season in the 205/55/15 size. So i can't do just summer tires like the "Bridgestone S03".

Would the "sluggishness" be just at low speeds. I always thougoht wider was better for turning / traction...... yes/no ? ?

Loco Honkey

Then get some Dunlop D60A2s and live with the fact that you'll never get more than average performance out of an all season. If you want crisp handling, you're going to have to get over the "one tire for the whole year" mindset.

If that's the case, the Hummer must be one helluva sports car, huh?

This will relate to your first question a bit in the fact that traction and turn in has more to do with sidewall construction and rubber compound. Take some 215/40- 16 Nitto 450 tires and compare them to some 185/60- 14 Hoosier autox slicks on the same car. I will bet everything I have that the Hoosiers outperform the Shittos in every aspect except wet traction and treadwear.

*edit- And now for my commentary...

I honestly don't understand why people who want to go fast buy **** tires... Tires are the most important part of any car. As cliche as it is, Pirelli is right in saying that power is nothing without control. You can have the baddest, most hairy- chested suspension and engine setup, and if you're running some bullshit micky mouse $60 all season, you might as well be driving an '87 Tempo with blown rear struts. DO NOT EVER SKIMP ON TIRES! They're the only thing keeping you out of that ditch or off that guard rail. That's not to say I ride around on R compounds, but ferchrissakes, get some real tires!


[Modified by F=WT, 11:27 PM 8/3/2002]

osbornsm

I know that i'm not gonna get super gummy tires that work in the winter. I'm just looking for the least-compromise / best all-around tire. Just wanted some opinions on tires, not rants, that's all. No need to get all snobby i.e. "the hummer comment". Relax !