Best 205/50/R16 tyres

[Anzezaf]

So I'm thinking of buying some nice tires for my 5th gen, in stock size.
I want maximum grip in the dry, noise levels and fuel consumption aren't that big of a factor.
The only thing keeping me from buying semi slicks is the thought of aquaplanning and spinning out on the highway at the first sign of rain

I have my doubts about going to R17 and a thinner sidewall, as the roads are horrible where I'm from and therefore want to maintain a shred of dignity when going over potholes.

Currently I own a pair of all-season tires and they're friggin useless in the corners, can't wait to wear them out..

[Scott560]

i did some research for the motegi 17s (not put them on yet), and the michelin pilot sport 4 came out on top - i imagine they are available in 16.

and yes, semi slicks are a waste on the road - they are harder, wont get warm or sticky (so no grip benefit), and are worse in the rain additionally to the other issues due to aquaplaning.

[Andyjess666]

I got them pilot sport 4 on my 5th gen in 17in all I can say is wow best tyre I had on sticks to the floor wet or dry

[RattyMcClelland]

I had ad08r on my Type S and they are fine but struggled on greasy roads and pulling out of junctions.
I now use Pilot sport 4 and they are excellent, dry grip is just about as good as the ad08r but wet grip and temps below 10 degrees c is excellent. Shame the better pilot sport 4S only come in 18" and above.

However Michelin PS4 are not available in the size you want. If you stick with oem size get uniroyal rainsport 3.

[NafemanNathan]

I'll always recommend Uniroyal Rainsport 3's as an all season tyre, but I did bake a set on my last track day. I currently run Nankang NS2Rs, which are amazing in the dry, but they're not great in the wet, so I plan on run Continental Premium Contact 6 on a second set of wheels and keeping the Nankang wheels for track.

So I can't give first hand experience for the Conti's, but they do get great reviews also.

[Scott560]

I can also recommend the uniroyal rainsport 3s , they were the last set fitted to my 16s before the federals, plenty of grip wet and dry, and quite soft so didn't last all that long...

[nitin_s1]

Federal RSR?

They’re cheap, good for dry and not so good for wet but for the price you can’t complain.

[Scott560]

Federal RSR?

They’re cheap, good for dry and not so good for wet but for the price you can’t complain.

Yes RSR 595s, I needed some cheap track day tyres that were halfway between a road tyre and a track tyre (as at the time i only had one wheelset), they are night and day on the track compared to road tyres, they don't overheat (and this was after doing a few 8+ lap stints at Bedford). In the cold/damp they certainly have less grip (too hard), and i'm not sure I've driven in torrential rain but suspect aquaplaning is a real issue. Its not a death trap, but you certainly have to drive accordingly. The RSRs were about 25quid cheaper than the next track tyre.

Now I've got the motegi 17s with michelin pilot sports, that frees up the 16inch wheels for some better track rubber once they wear out (and i get a baffled sump!).

[JEBB4]

I too was searching for some half decent tires in this size for ages but gave up and went to 205/45r16..

I’ve had yoko AD08R in 225/45r16 and they were amazing in the dry and I thought they were far from useless in the wet but then I had only had budget tyres prior to these..

I now have Federal 595 RSR’s in 205/45r16 and they are great in the dry haven’t driven them in the wet yet.... because Australia.... but one thing is they seem to be pretty noisy on the road , then I have minimal interior nor a radio.. the turn in is great and the sidewalls are very hard on the rsr’s so can be pretty harsh over bumps..

[norks27]

Think I used to use the P zero Pirellis - slippery when wet.
Currently run some Hankook tyres which are a definite improvement over the more expensive Pirelli.