I don't have an "R" but since this topic is relatively fresh discussing a tire I currently have, I wanted some advice.

I currently have 205/40/16's KDW's on my 96 ex sedan. I currently have the setup for sale. My new setup will be same size rim but .5" wider. I've had my KDW's on for the 4 seasons here in CA that happen all at the same time. LOL. And they have held up well. The only thing is I'd like to try a new tire. Something a little less noisy but w/ = perf. in a taller 205.45.16. I love spirited daily driving and the KDW's have been excellent for this. Price is not a big deal, but I'd like to keep it reasonable in the event I am unsatisfied and have to re-sell.

open to all recommendations.

Thanks In Advance.

 

Is your '96 EX Sedan an Accord or a Civic? I'm going to assume it's a Civic based on the tire size.

The '96 Civic EX Sedan came from the factory with 185/65-14 tires. The best matching 16" tire sizes are 205/45-16 and 215/45-16. 205/40-16 is too small; that's a good 16" size for older Civics (as well as '96 DX and hatchback models).

Based on what you've stated, I recommend the Yokohama S.drive or Fuzion ZRi, in 205/45-16. Both are very good summer tires, not terribly expensive either (both $90/tire at Tire Rack, less the $10/tire rebate on the Yoko).

 

Yes your assumption is correct. I own a 96' civic ex sedan. As I've read around, I came to the conclusion that 205/45/16 would be best new tire size. As you recommended. Will this still hold true if I were to do a engine swap in the future? More than likely b-series.

also I will be raising my car for a various amount of reasons.... 1 being sidewall height of the new tire. 2 oem accessories and 3 lastly new rim & tire dimensions.

what would be the biggest benefit going w/ a 215 vs a 205? tire life? fuel efficiency? braking efficiency? price? " traction " ?

and thank you for the advice you have shared.

 

Yes. The size of your wheel wells, and the calibration of your speed sensors, won't change.

Think of the change due to the tire size as undoing the lowering that you did with your previous, undersized tires.

Most of the differences are very small. A 215 will give you ever so slightly better traction when cornering on dry pavement and fuel efficiency; a 205 will give you ever so slightly better traction on wet pavement. But both differences are really insignificant. It's like asking whether your fuel efficiency will go down if you put a two-ounce object in your car; the answer is yes, but not much.

The big differences are going to be in tire availability and price. The S.drive and ZRi in 205 (what I recommended) are going to give you better performance than comparable tires in 215 (such as the Dunlop Direzza DZ101) - not because of the difference in treadwidth, but because they are better tires.

If you wanted to get a stickier tire than the KDW, you could consider the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 in 205/45-16 or Kumho Ecsta XS in 215/45-16; however, they're a lot more money than the S.drive and ZRi, and won't last as long as the KDW, which is why I didn't mention them - it seemed like you were looking for value as well as performance.

 

Awesome.

Awe, makes sense. LOL never looked at it in that light.

I went to the yoko site, and I was pleased w/ things said about the s.drive. So that may be very well my next weapon of choice. So Dz101's are worse than s.drives? Gotcha!

Well I'm glad you didn't, haha. I'd rather buy another set of kdw's in the right size before I bought a worse tire. I do like the review of the RE-11, but I can't get over their dastardly high sidewalls when mounted. Just a hideous sight, but those I'd have to buy 205/40/16's even if it's undersized. Simply because the tire is just plain too beefy. I'm not saying I'm all about the look, but it helps when you can reach a median.

After I spend some time refurbishing my rims arriving tomorrow, I'll probably go w/ the S.Drives. I'll definitely report back.

 

So thank you graciously sir for your help. I actually picked up a set of S.Drives today. Yes, 205/45/26 for $460. OTD.that includes state tax. Mounted, life time balance & rotation from a "well-known" tire dealer. I skipped the protection plan do to what I view as my price "savings." In the event of catastrophe I pretty much saved enough to replace a tire.

Once my rims return from powder coating at the end of this week approaching, I will take them in and get them installed and report back periodically w/ my personal seat-time review.

 

Got my tires mounted and balanced today!!! 205/45-16 Yoko S. Drive