EDIT: I incorrectly stated the size of the Azenis in the topic. It should say 195/60/14

I've got some old-school TSW EVOs with 205/50/15. However, I was thinking of getting rid of my alloys and just running on my 14" steelies (less theft threat, cheaper to replace tires on 14" wheels).

My steelies need new tires. I was thinking of retreading my steelies with 195/60/14 instead of the stock 185/65/14 size. The Tirerack has Kumho 732s in 195/60/14 (I have these all-season tires on my fiancee's sedan in the stock size). I thought it might provide a bigger "footprint" for a bit more grip than the 185/65. It's $1 more per tire for the 195/60/14.

Any thoughts on this? Would there be any performance benefit (wider tire, less sidewall)?


Modified by Sushiboy at 10:25 PM 2/3/2004


Modified by Sushiboy at 10:26 PM 2/3/2004

 

What are you using them for?

While they give you a wider foot print...your gas milage will go down. You will really feel it in the corners...a smaller treadwall will tend not to roll as much as higher treadwall.

If this is going to be for daily driving...I would pay attention to tread life more than width. I got the best of both worlds...Dunlop Sport A2 205/60/14...480 tread life...they were a little noisier but I didn't care about that.

The tread has lasted me 2 years on daily agressive driving, twisties, and bad alignment...I'd say that says something for the tire. The Kumho tend to have a low life span.

Just something to keep in mind

 

Thanks for yoru advise.

The tires are for everyday driving including in snow. I didn't even think to look at the tread wear.

 

are you actually driving through snow?...if you are then you may want to consider thinner tires...or get a set of cheap rims and snow tires for winter.

 

I'm running a 205/50/15 all-season tire now, and they're alright in the snow. I don't drive too much in it as the roads are usually pretty well plowed when I'm driving.

I'd be leaving these wheels/tires on my car until I get somewhere where my car doesn't sit outside downtown. I've had my car stolen once (stole my Slipstreams) and so I've been keeping it on the down low, even in the summer. So, if I can put a bit of a wider tire on my steelies that is going to give me better handling than the 185/65, I'll probably do it. I just wanted to see if there was any benefit or negitive aspect to putting a larger tire on. I only autocross a few times a year and just for fun. The car is used primarily to go from home to work.

 

You'll be less likely to get a speeding ticket...because the diameter is a little bigger than stock, my speedo is slower than what it is reading.

you may find some rubbing on the inside of the wheel well or on the splash guard. In general, a wider foot pad is going to give you more traction...because the roads are kept clean of snow drifts...you will be ok with a wider/taller tire.

The Dunlop Sport A2 is also good in wet weather...even with next to no tread left...they still resist hydroplaning....so I imagine in your situation it would help...considering it's all slush or light snow on the ground.

 

You know what - I was wrong about the size. I meant 195/60/14. Doh! The 195s are only .6% too slow whereas the 205/60/14 are 2.7%. Regardless, I think it answers my questions. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html has a great tire size calculator.

 

Good find

 

195/60/14 will work ok on your stock wheels. The 205 size tire is getting a little wide for your stockies. You end up with a lot of flex in the sidewalls because there is not enough rim to keep them vertical. IT will feel less responsive in the corners with the larger tires size on the narrow wheels....

 

Even the 195s will feel less responsive?

 

Just so you know, Azenis come in 195/60/14 not the 205.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just so you know, Azenis come in 195/60/14 not the 205.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep. I said I screwed up the size a few posts up. Thanks for the heads-up, though.