Hi guys,

First of all, i have searched everywhere but i still cant find what im looking for. I have some 16" volk le37 wheels on my 00 si and it has 205/40/16 tires on it and they are pretty bald so its tome for new tires. Thing is, it doesnt seem like its enough sidewall. The diameter looks too small and it just doesnt look right. I dont want to drop it even more because i will be hitting the ground. Now, i was originally going to get 205/45/16 but i was reading and dont know whether to go for 215/40/16 or maybe even 215/45/16...i figured it shouldnt have a problem tucking 215's...im just a bit confused here and would really like some pictures.....i'd appreciate the help...thanx...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nordy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have some 16" volk le37 wheels on my 00 si and it has 205/40/16 tires on it and they are pretty bald so its tome for new tires. Thing is, it doesnt seem like its enough sidewall. The diameter looks too small and it just doesnt look right.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're right - that size is too small. 205/40-16 is much too small for a '99-00 Civic Si; that's the 16" size for CRXs, del sols, and old (pre-'96) Civics. Even 215/40-16 is too small for your car. The proper 16" sizes for your car are either 205/45-16 or 215/45-16; the diameters of both are within 1 percent of your stock size of 195/55-15, and you shouldn't have rubbing problems with either one (assuming your car isn't ridiculously slammed).

Most tires come in either 205/45-16 or 215/45-16, not both. So decide on which tire you want, and get whichever of these two sizes you want.

Brief recommendations:

a. If you care ONLY about dry traction, and can live with rapid treadwear and/or so-so performance in rain - such as if you will also autocross with these tires - get the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 215/45-16.

b. If you also care about treadwear and wet performance, but you still want excellent dry traction performance too and don't mind spending a bit more for a better tire, get the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 in 205/45-16.

c. If you want treadwear and wet performance and decent dry performance but you'd like to spend a bit less on your tires, get the Kumho SPT in 205/45-16.

d. If you need to use these tires in snow and frigid cold in winter as well as in moderate to warm temperatures the rest of the year, get the Kumho ASX (all-season) in 205/45-16.

 

that is some good information....i live in tampa, fl and the weather here is hot and humid....lately it has been raining some...now, what is the difference in sidewall height on 205/45/16 and 215/45/16? I would like a wider tire like the 215 but my car is pretty low...dont want a crazy sidewall.....

 

simply basing this off math, the sidewall differences will be ~0.2" top and bottom.

not all tires are sized exactly as advertised though so take that with a grain of salt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nordy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what is the difference in sidewall height on 205/45/16 and 215/45/16?</TD></TR></TABLE>

195/55-15 outer diameter 23.44" (stock size)
205/45-16 outer diameter 23.26" (-0.8 percent), sidewall height 3.63"
205/45-16 outer diameter 23.62" (+0.7 percent), sidewall height 3.81"

Again, though, you can't usually choose between 205/45 and 215/45 in the same tire, since most tires come in one size or the other, not both. So if you want a super-sticky (but fast-wearing) tire like the Falken Azenis RT-615, you'll have to get 215/45; if you want a longer-lasting tire like the Goodyear F1 GS-D3, or an economical tire like the Kumho SPT, or an all-season tire like the Kumho ASX, you'll have to get 205/45.

 

nice....n e pics for the hell of it?