Spring is finally coming and I need to replace my winter tires with something more sticky…
I’ve thrown away my worn out RE010 so now I need some new rubber!
After looking around I’ve found that a set of Bridgestone S-03 in 15” 205/50 would set me back around US $500 (here in Sweden), but if I choose the same tires in 15” 195/50 it would only cost me US $ 360.
I’ve seen that quite a lot of you have chosen the 195/50 and I wanted to ask you about the circumference of that tire compared to the original RE 010 (195/55) Could someone please measure their S-03 tyre for me? (I already know the measurements of the RE 010)

If someone could do the same thing with the Pirelli P Zero Assimetrico in 15” 195/50 it would be great, cause these tires are dirt cheap! Less than US $ 70 (plus they don’t make it in 15” 195/55 or 15” 205/50…)

I was gonna go for the Falken Azenis in 15” 205/50, but the only place in Sweden (Europe?) that sell those told me that they are still on the boat from Japan and won’t arrive until the end of may…

/TOM

 

Why measure it if you can calculate it. 195/50 is 19.5 mm smaller in diameter than 195/55.

195/50 S-03 is 200 mm wide which is wider than other tires.
205/50 S-03 is 213 mm wide which is much wider than other tires!!!! Too wide for 6" stock rims IMO.


[Modified by EuroITR1689, 3:36 PM 3/22/2002]

 

Thanks for that fast response fellow Euro ITR owner!
What I was thinking about though when I asked people to measure it was just that thing that you pointed out:
That the tyre actually is wider than 195mm, therefore it should have slightly higher sidewalls than a ’normal’ 195/50 since ”50” stands for % of the width.

But numbers are one thing and reality is another…
/TOM

 

Because the diameter is important, I assume they use 195 instead of 200 for the sidewall height. No one will complain if it's wider than 195 mm.....

 

I've had P-zero and obviously RE-010's. IMHO, RE-010's in stock 195/55/15 size does everything very well for street use. (eg. comfort, grip, noise, tracking, etc.) P-zero in 195/50/15 will be A LOT harsher in ride quality. It's pretty much 195mm as it says... One thing to note about P-zero is that the tire technology dates back about a decade... I don't know if any new compounds, design or improvements have been made in P-zero Assym lineup.

On the other hand, I've had experience with S-02's. They grip phenomenally and they are great tires... That's all that I can say about that tire. S-03's have more up-to-date tire technology, IMO than P-zero.

If I had a choice, I would pay that extra $100 and get the 205/50/15's S-03's. (P-zero used to come in 205/50/15's... you might want to call around.)


[Modified by Cosworth, 10:20 AM 3/22/2002]

 

fore the info you are asking for, go to http://www.tirerack.com

select the tires you are interested in and click on the specs link. it tells you all this type of info there.