Hey everyone,

So it's almost tire buying season and I had a few questions about choosing an appropriate size.

I have the stock SH wheels yet I'm looking for a slightly larger contact patch. I figure 215 is the widest that I can run worry-free (as opposed to 225). However, it seems that the majority of tires in 215 have a 55 ar. I'd really love to go with 50 series as it's the closest in overall diameter. 55 will add weight, reduce my gearing might even produce minor rubbing issues.

What can you guys recommend? Anyone else using a 215 tire on a 16in wheel? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

The only way to increase the contact patch size is to either reduce the tire pressure, or increase the weight of the car.

Stick with whatever size will keep you closest to the stock diameter, and buy better tires instead of wider tires.

Need cold temp use (ever drive in snow)? Price limitations? Intended use?

Answer these, and recommendations on tire models will be easier to make.

 

Excellent questions.

Doesn't snow where I live nor do I plan on ever taking this car in it I'd prefer to keep the prices below $100 a tire. While my intended use will primarily very spirited (backroad twisty encounters) daily driving, I also plan to have the car see some roadracing, but even then no more than 2-3 times a year.

Thanks for the response.

 

Sounds like an "extreme performance summer" tire is potentially the best fit then, as long as you can live with a relatively short lifespan.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Kumho Ecsta XS, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, Toyo Proxes R1R, etc...

 

Stick with 205/50-16. If you're looking for better performance from your tires, the easiest way to get it is by getting a stickier tire in that size, and you won't have to worry about rubbing or the other downsides of oversized tires. The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is as sticky as any street tire you can get, and is available in 205/50-16. It's not under $100 - it's $115/tire plus shipping at Tire Rack - but if you're looking for great traction, that's the way to go. If you don't want to spend that much, you're going to get a little less traction from your tires. You can get the Continental ExtremeContact DW for $112/tire with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct, which will also last you a lot longer (probably 30-40K miles, vs 15-20K with the Star Spec). You can get a little less traction than the Continental if you get the Yokohama S.drive, which is $83/tire after rebate with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct. The performance of the S.drive is still decent, and its treadlife should be similar to the Continental, but each step down in price means a little less performance.