What size tires for 16" alloys ?

taz8520 · Post by **taz8520** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:04 pm

I currently have 205 45 16 which I am going to replace soon with Uniroyal Rainsports 2 should I stick to that size ?

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:29 pm

205/50/16 or 215/45/16 or 225/45/16

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:34 pm

Think my Toyo's are 205/50's, which is the closest to stock diameter for 16's I think. I'll check when I'm at work tomorrow for you if I remember... I have a spread sheet of rolling circumferences that I made

A1ex · Post by **A1ex** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:40 pm

I have 205/55's at the mo, the tyres that were already on the wheels when I bought them, and the speedo is bob on. Going to drop mine to 50's tho to get a bit of acceleration back next tyre change

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:41 pm

205/50 and 225/45 are identical in sidewall size. Circumference will make no real major difference apart from 1 or 2mph. Its all about tyre wall.

A1ex · Post by **A1ex** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:44 pm

Would my old wheels be of any interest to you? Basically a free set of wheels with a pair of rs2's as the tyres were only on for a couple months

http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/prelude ... =%20Wheels

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:38 am

Overall diameter of a 4th gen stock wheel (205/55r15) = 606.5mm

205/45r16 = 590.9 (-15.6mm undersize)
205/50r16 = 611.4 (4.9 oversize)
215/45r16 = 599.9 (-6.6 undersize)
215/50r16 = 621.4 (14.9 oversize)
225/45r16 = 608.9 (2.4 oversize)

RattyMcClelland wrote:Circumference will make no real major difference apart from 1 or 2mph. Its all about tyre wall.

Tyre wall & circumference go hand in hand

Dino · Post by **Dino** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:57 am

Nathan speaks the truth

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 10:56 am

Yes but people get carried away trying to keep the overall circumference to stock. So usually bigger wheels mean thinner walls. But if going for a bigger wheel id still get a bigger sidewall increasing the overall circumference.
Like 225/45/17 instead if 215/40/17.

A lot if people underestimate how important a tyre wall is to the handling and geometry of the suspension.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 11:18 am

RattyMcClelland wrote:Yes but people get carried away trying to keep the overall circumference to stock. So usually bigger wheels mean thinner walls. But if going for a bigger wheel id still get a bigger sidewall increasing the overall circumference.
Like 225/45/17 instead if 215/40/17.

A lot if people underestimate how important a tyre wall is to the handling and geometry of the suspension.

Yes, that's why we don't generally recommend 18's on a lude, because you will end up sacrificing too much side wall. But if you don't stick close to stock overall circumferance then that is how you run into rubbing issues. And although only minor adjustments, depending on how far over you go, you will also be driving faster than your speedo indicates and also your brakes won't be as effective.

And surely you can't mean 225/45r17 instead of 215/40r17? That's a big increase in every aspect!