So I finally decided the tires I will be purchasing. They will be the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2's. What I am having difficulty deciding is if I should keep the size that are on there now which is 225/50-15 or bringing it back to OEM 205/55-15. The tires that I have on right now are such garbage I would be able to tell if I running the larger size is benefiting me in any way.

What benefits could I expect from each size? Is it something even measurable? Thanks for the input.

 

how wide are your rims? how much are you lowered? what's the offset of your wheels? all these will help to answer your question

 

youre probably gonna want the stock size, just so you dont rub, and you will get better gas mileage that way also...

the increased grip from 20mm of tire is very minimal.....they will be cheaper in the smaller size also.....

 

how about 215-55-15?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by soundbomber &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how wide are your rims? how much are you lowered? what's the offset of your wheels? all these will help to answer your question </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah. The biggest mistake I see guys making when choosing tires is going too wide on their rim. On a 7" rim, a 205 will make the car handle better than w/ a 225. The ratio of tire width to wheel width is more important than the actual tire width itself. Just having a wider tire will ONLY make a difference in contact patch when drag racing. It will, however, make the tire flex more and the car won't handle as well.

Stock size is not always best, however. I had a car w/ 7.5" wheels, but was only sporting 215s. I could've gone to 245 if I wanted, but a 225 gave me the best ration between contact patch and sidewall flex. The manufacturer gave it 215s because it was cheaper...

 

actually they are stock rims and i plan on lowering the car only 1.25 inches so rubbing probably won't be an issue. sorry, forgot to include that info on my first post.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mrlover &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how about 215-55-15?</TD></TR></TABLE>
That would be bigger than stock diameter and would raise the car a little.

 

any more recommendations?

 

how wide are the stock wheels? 6.5? 6? if it's less than 7", i'd go 195/55/15. otherwise, 205/50/15 is one of my favorites

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by soundbomber &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how wide are the stock wheels? 6.5? 6? if it's less than 7", i'd go 195/55/15. otherwise, 205/50/15 is one of my favorites</TD></TR></TABLE>

i think that the stock width is 6.5

you would recommend a tire that is smaller than oe? i'm curious why?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LudemanDan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That would be bigger than stock diameter and would raise the car a little. </TD></TR></TABLE>

technically yes, but i bet you can't even tell once you put them on

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by soundbomber &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how wide are the stock wheels? 6.5? 6? if it's less than 7", i'd go 195/55/15. otherwise, 205/50/15 is one of my favorites</TD></TR></TABLE>

those tires are too small, you will end up spend extra $$ on gas.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by soundbomber &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how wide are the stock wheels? 6.5? 6? if it's less than 7", i'd go 195/55/15. otherwise, 205/50/15 is one of my favorites</TD></TR></TABLE>
Stock is 205/55/15 on 6.5" wide, so why would you not recommend that?

 

maybe i should have made this a poll...

so what will it be guys?

225/50-15

or

205/55-15

i would really like to know any benefits that would be acquired between the two sizes.

 

wide tires on skinny rims will not net you any increase in contact patch area--it may change the shape of the C.P., but usually it will not result in more grip b/c of the constant area of the patch and the sidewall issues.

an increase in overall tire diameter is very noticeable--even with some negligible difference of .3" b/w new and OEM size, you'll feel the sluggishness by the larger tire.

i don't see a reason for running a 195/55/15 on a 6.5" wheel aside from economics.

 

Definitely say 205/55/15's. And if you're not totally dedicated to the Michelins, I'd like to sway you towards the BFGoodrich Traction TA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by InvaderTrax &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Definitely say 205/55/15's. And if you're not totally dedicated to the Michelins, I'd like to sway you towards the BFGoodrich Traction TA</TD></TR></TABLE>

i am pretty set on the pilot exalto pe2's...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FD3S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">maybe i should have made this a poll...

so what will it be guys?

225/50-15

or

205/55-15

i would really like to know any benefits that would be acquired between the two sizes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

didn't we already cover this? be independent. make up your own mind.

 

here is a summary of the benefits...

the 225 costs more

thats it...

to feel the benefits of a wider tire you must have a wider rim...

 

It doesn't matter. Tire size doesn't matter. You're not racing, so don't bother. Just go with stock and call it a day.