Hi guys,
I have a 95 Civic EX coupe and thinking about getting Konig Helium wheels. But they don't make 16's so I have to choose between 15 or 17. Many people don't recommend 17's because of ride quality. But 15's is little bit too small for my taste. Should I go 15's? or 17's are okay? If so, what tire size should I go? I didn't lower my car and most likely will not.
Thanks your advise in advance.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SWC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Should I go 15's? or 17's are okay?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It depends on what you mean by "okay". Ride quality, like you indicate, will be worse. Maybe that doesn't matter to you. Maybe you like the looks of 17" wheels. It's all a matter of personal preference. Whatever YOU want is okay.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SWC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what tire size should I go?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The best 15" size for your car is 195/50-15, which matches the outer diameter of your stock 185/60-14, and has a nice variety of tires available. The best 17" size is 205/40-17, which is 3.2 percent bigger than stock, but that's usually the smallest 17" size you're going to find.

 

Go with your taste and get something bigger than 15's.

 

Go with some 16" AT THE BIGGEST! 17 Is ugly and tires are alot more expensive.

 

it depends on what you are looking for. My rule of thumb is not bigger then 16 but if you like 17 then go with it but you will loose on performance. I personnaly like 15.

Dave

 

I decided to go with 15". Now what size of tires? I'm getting Konig Helium 15x6.5 40mm offset. How much are 205/50/15's larger(diameter) than stockers? I personally like wide tires.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SWC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I decided to go with 15". Now what size of tires?</TD></TR></TABLE>

As I said...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The best 15" size for your car is 195/50-15, which matches the outer diameter of your stock 185/60-14, and has a nice variety of tires available.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SWC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How much are 205/50/15's larger(diameter) than stockers? I personally like wide tires.</TD></TR></TABLE>

1.7 percent larger than stock. The larger tires will throw your speedometer and odometer off by that percentage, and will also make your car accelerate slightly slower (like taller gears). Not a huge difference, but there. They are also usually significantly more expensive.

What are your priorities for tires? I assume that dry and wet performance, treadlife, and price are all considerations, as they usually are. Will you be using these tires for autocross or track events? Are you willing to pay more for tires that grip a bit better, or is value a major consideration? I assume you can use your Rex or truck on snow and in frigid cold, and the Civic doesn't go out in such conditions...?

For summer tires that offer very good performance and excellent value, I recommend the Toyo T1-R in 195/50-15 for $60/tire from onlinetires.com, and the Dunlop Direzza DZ101 for $59/tire or the Kumho Ecsta SPT for $62/tire, both in 205/50-15 from the Tire Rack. If you do track events and/or you're interested in even better performance but at a higher price, you can go up to the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 in 195/50-15, or the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 205/50-15.

 

Thanks nsxtasy. You seems to be wheels and tires guru.

Yeah my consideration on the tires are good summer tires with relatively cheap such as Kumho Ecsta SPT or Dunlop Direzza. According to Tire rack test result, Direzza is a decent tires with good price but not many people used them. Any other recommendations? I'm looking for no more than $70 per tire.

Oh I always use summer tires and switch back to stockers on winter season even with my Rex.

 

yep nsxtasy knows his stuff. I would go with 195/50/15 and for tires either yoko es100 or kuhmos SPT. These are probably the 2 best bang for the buck tires out there for dry and wet performance.
Dave

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 93SiVtec677 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would go with 195/50/15 and for tires either yoko es100 or kuhmos SPT. These are probably the 2 best bang for the buck tires out there for dry and wet performance.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with the recommendation on the Kumho SPT and the Yokohama ES100 as the two best bang for the buck tires out there for dry and wet performance, and I often recommend them to folks who are looking for value as well as performance. However, the reason I mention the Toyo T1-R in 195/50-15 is because this particular size ONLY is on sale at onlinetires.com and puts it within a few bucks of the SPT and ES100, and I consider the T1-R to perform slightly better overall. (In all other sizes, the Toyo usually costs significantly more than the SPT or ES100.) In 205/50, I mention the Dunlop along with the SPT rather than the ES100 because it's also a good, similar-performing tire and the price of the Dunlop and SPT are similar, and the ES100 in that size is quite a bit more expensive.