I guess this topic falls under this thread. So I'm looking for new tires and I'm debating whether to get 205/50/15 or 195/50/15? Whats the difference or advantages of the 205 or 195 besides a slightly wider tire?

 

I'm assuming factory wheels. It will be a slightly larger contact patch, more rubber the better. 205 look better imo to. Also thank you for not going after a 45 or 40 aspect ratio.

Where your real diff is going to be in tires. What tire were you thinkin of going with

 

Incorrect.

The size of the contact patch is entirely determined by the weight of the car and the pressure in the tires.

205/50-15 is slightly larger in diameter than 195/50-15, changing the speedometer and odometer readings, but not by much.

This belongs in the wheel and tire forum anyway.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56

 

Ok if you want to get to brass racks yes you right but are you going to tell me a wider tires don't have as wide of a tire contact patch.

 

A wider tire does have a wider and shorter contact patch, which is how the size of the contact patch stays the same.

They also incur greater aerodynamic resistance (reduced mileage), are heavier (from more material, this reduces mileage and acceleration), and generally cost more.

So, unless you have tire heat issues, why would you want a wider tire?

OP, the answer to your question on tire size is simply:
Get the tire size that preserves your correct total tire diameter (depends on the car, which isn't mentioned) and is safe to mount on your wheels based on wheel width. If you have a choice between multiple sizes that fit both needs, buy the cheaper size. If you want more traction, buy better tires in the correct size.

 

the quality of the tires is more important than how much contact patch

 

Ok I can agree with what you said. I just try not to get to technical is all. Batallic brings a very good point tire choice is very important overall to how the car will handle.

 

he means that the actual compound of the tire, how soft the rubber is, is more important for grip than width. People mistakenly think that buying wide, mediocre tires is better than buying a normal width tire that is a softer compound and lower treadwear.

 

It's as if all these people failed basic high school physics.

Let's assume someone is ignorant enough to mistakenly think a wider tire has a larger contact patch. Where in F = uN do we find anything to do with area?

Stay in school, kids. It helps keep you from looking like an idiot.

 

So at the end I decided to go with the 205/50/15 Falken Ziex ZE-512. $302 for all 4 with 35K miles warranty.

 

Well you never indicated what car you have. If a 92-95 Civic, 205/50-15 tires are larger in diameter than stock tires. If you have a 96-00 Civic or 94-01 Integra, that is the correct size. If you have most any model of Accord those will be much smaller than stock tires.

Also I'm moving this to the Wheel and Tire forum.