Im looking at picking up a set of the 15x6.5 34mm offset 4x100 bolt pattern Q8's. Im putting them on my EM1. I want to go with a set of Falken Azenis 205/50/15. My question is will these rub at all? My other choice is to go with the Falken ZE912's 195/50/15 if the 205's rub. My car is lowered on Tein FLEX coilovers, so if I have too (which I dont want too) I can raise it up. Any help would be appreciated.

 

They shouldn't rub.

And 195/50-15 is too small for your '00 Civic. Use either 205/50-15 (like you're planning) or 195/55-15.

Also, I don't understand why you are choosing between the Falken Azenis RT-615 and the Falken Ziex ZE-912. The RT-615 is a supersticky but fast-wearing summer tire - great for driving around curves, and for those who sometimes autocross or track their cars. The ZE-912 is a crappy all-season tire; all-seasons are for people who have to use the same tires in snow and frigid cold as in moderate to warm temperatures. If you never drive places where it snows, you don't need all-seasons. (And if you do, there are much better tires than the Ziex, like the Kumho ASX.) If you don't like the fast treadwear of the Azenis (you'll only get 10-12K miles before they need replacing), there are summer tires that last a lot longer and will give you much better performance in moderate to warm temperatures like you get year-round in NorCal; one example is the Yokohama S.drive.

 

Thanks!
The only reason I was looking at the ziex's is because they dont offer the azeni's in a 195 in a 15. I only threw that out there for an idea. I was also looking at the kumho which I have used before and do like. I currently have the 195/50/15 on my em1 and they arent too small. They look pretty good actually. But, thank you, I will more than likely be going with some 205's this time around. Thanks for your input.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TwoToes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The only reason I was looking at the ziex's is because they dont offer the azeni's in a 195 in a 15.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You are looking at the Ziex's because they only offer the Azenis in the right size for your car, but they offer the Ziex in a size that's too small. That's what you're saying.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TwoToes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was also looking at the kumho which I have used before and do like.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, you need to decide what's important to you. If you want tires that are very sticky on dry pavement and you don't care about treadwear or rain grip, the Azenis is a good choice. So is the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, in 195/55-15. If you want a tire that lasts longer (25-40K miles) and does well in rain, then the Yokohama S.drive may be a better choice; it's a bit cheaper in 195/55-15 than 205/50-15.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TwoToes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I currently have the 195/50/15 on my em1 and they arent too small. They look pretty good actually.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The right size is more than just looks (although most folks would say that the 195/50-15 looks tiny). It's also about keeping your speedometer and odometer accurate, which the undersized 195/50-15 won't do, since it's 3.3 percent (3/4 inch) smaller in diameter.

Stick with the right size for your car. For a 2000 Civic Si with 15" wheels, it's either 195/55-15 (the stock size) or 205/50-15 (which is 1.6 percent smaller in diameter).

BTW neither 195/55-15 nor 205/50-15 should rub, even if your car is lowered by as much as an inch or two.