well I finally got my rims. 15" SpooMs! with a 42mm offset. 13lb each..
anyways, now I need to get my rubber.

I don't know what the advantage are between the two sizes. please discuss.

they only thing Im worried about is rubbing, I want my ride to be real low with no rubbing issues !

I'm running newspeed koni yellows with Eibach Sport springs

any input would be great, only constructive comments please

 

I am actually going through the same thing myself except I have a '93 sedan, so I'm interested in what everyone recommends...
I'm using TEIN S. Tech's which are right around the same ammount of drop as yours

 

get 205/50R/15 thats what I have on my 15 inch slipstreams

 

how low are you ?

and explain to me why I should get them, I'm not going to get them just cause you have em

 

go with some 205/50/15 azenis . ull be happy

 

Azenis 205s are a bit wider than 205mm due to the sidewall. If you want to be slammed and minimize the chance of rubbing, go with the 195s. Smaller overall.

 

Slammed as in lower than 2"?

*I'm not trying to hijack this thread, I just feel like our questions are so similar that it would be a waste to create a new thread*

I personally don't plan on going lower than 2" with a set of 15" Rota Slips, so would I be better off going with 205's?

 

I would just go with 205 because you get a bigger contact patch. rubbing shouldn't be an issue either way...if you're rubbing with 15" wheels your car is just too low.

 

yeah i agree with dreamer if its rubbing with 15's its too low my car is dropped 2 inches and my car sits bout 1/2 inch maybe 3/4 inch above my tire and I have 205/50R/15 Kumho tires

 

if your debating between 195/50/15 vs 205/50/15, they are practically the same as far as height goes.

the only diffrence is 195 / 205, which is the <=> of the tire. the sidewall on both is 50, thats the up and down, and both are 15 inch diameter.

personally id go with the 205, they're a bit wider, you may get some better traction.

btw, i have falken 512's 205/50/15 with neuspeed race dropped 2 1/4

 

Advantages of 195/50/15 over 205/50/15 on a 5th gen:

1) you retain the OEM wheel diameter, so your speedo won't be off by a little
2) the smaller diameter (compared to 205/50/15) effectively gives you shorter gearing so your acceleration will benefit a bit
3) usually the 195/50 tire will be a little lighter than the 205/50, benefiting your braking, acceleation, and gas mileage slightly
4) the 195/50 tire is almost always cheaper than the 205/50, so that saves on your wallet

Advantages of 205/50/15 over 195/50/15 on a 5th gen:

1) larger contact patch provides better grip
2) wider and taller tire helps protect the lip of the wheel from potholes and curbs
3) your car looks lower than it would have with 195/50, even though it is really higher off the ground than with 195/50. this is because the taller tire fills the wheel gap more, giving off the illusion of the car being lower, while at the same time the car is actually higher - so you don't scrape/scratch as much.


In the end, you should weigh the advantages/disadvantages and see what works best for you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cashis Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Advantages of 195/50/15 over 205/50/15 on a 5th gen:

1) you retain the OEM wheel diameter, so your speedo won't be off by a little
</TD></TR></TABLE>

how is the diameter changed?

they are both 50/15's 50 sidewall, 15 inch rim. the only diffrences is the width of the tire.

its making more contact on the ground, not changing the revolutions.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IVI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

how is the diameter changed?

they are both 50/15's 50 sidewall, 15 inch rim. the only diffrences is the width of the tire.

its making more contact on the ground, not changing the revolutions.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because 195 and 205 in the width of the tire. 50 is 50% of the width on the sidewall. Thuss a wider tire that's fifty series will have a taller sidewall. If your going to drop more than 2 inches I would go with 195's. And when you adjust your camber they probably won't rub.

 

so you guys think I should get the 205 and leave it high enough so it doesn't rub ?

 

195/50-15 is the ideal 15" tire size for 5G Civics. It's rolling circumference is very close to the stock 185/60-14 OEM size tires. Your speedo won't be off as much and your ABS won't be susceptible to early lock ups in wet weather (as was the case with the 195/55-15s I previously had, which are similar to the 205/50-15's rolling circumference).

Stick to 195/50-15 and you'll be fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daniel san &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so you guys think I should get the 205 and leave it high enough so it doesn't rub ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes get the 205's drop it 2 inches and you will be happy. Only ge the 195's if your hammering it in the dirt or your really concerned that your speedo will be off by 1/2 a mile per hour. 205's are wider, wider = more traction

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IVI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if your debating between 195/50/15 vs 205/50/15, they are practically the same as far as height goes.

the only diffrence is 195 / 205, which is the &lt;=&gt; of the tire. the sidewall on both is 50, thats the up and down, and both are 15 inch diameter.

personally id go with the 205, they're a bit wider, you may get some better traction.

btw, i have falken 512's 205/50/15 with neuspeed race dropped 2 1/4</TD></TR></TABLE>

Slightly worng there the second number 50 is not the whole side wall it is an aspect ratio with the width therefore changing the cercumfrence(sp?)...

 

I'm dropped 1.8F, 1.6R on Slips +40mm offset on 205/50/15. I rub a litle bit, but only on sharp turns. But that's when it really matters soo...

 

Well I think I decided I'll go with the 205's

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone and thanks for creating this thread, man

Have you decided what you're going to get?

 

205 will be better,

I'd rather have more traction then having a lower car.

function over fashion

that's all you guys had to say !!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daniel san &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">205 will be better,

I'd rather have more traction then having a lower car.

function over fashion

that's all you guys had to say !! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wider footprint doesn't necessarily equal more traction. Also, can you realistically quantify 10mm of extra width? Does the contact patch of the tire at certain pressures/camber actually gain 10mm of width?

There's a whole lot of factors that will only surface through lots of testing and experimentation. Just some food for thought.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wider footprint doesn't necessarily equal more traction. Also, can you realistically quantify 10mm of extra width? Does the contact patch of the tire at certain pressures/camber actually gain 10mm of width?

There's a whole lot of factors that will only surface through lots of testing and experimentation. Just some food for thought.</TD></TR></TABLE>

195 R compounds will also outstick 205 all seasons, but that's besides the point.

i went with 205/50's on my car for:

a) larger x-section
b) taller sidewall for a more comfortable ride/curbage protection
c) i don't like the skinny tire look of the 195/50
d) there's a wider selection of 205/50's (but most popular tires are available in both sizes)