My stock run flats that came on my 09 clubman are getting close to being worn out they have about 17k on them and i have decided to start looking for new tires wow am i confused.I have a general idea of what i want but the size has me stumped.I live here in texas so a good all around tire that will work good for a daily comute and some weekend back road motoring.I have custom 16inch rims on it all ready so i really want to stick with the 16's.The size that is on it now is 195/55/R16 .I looked on tirerack.com and they didnt have much of a choice for that size.My question is what size could i go with and it still fit on the rim i have and still perform well.I really dont want to go any taller if anything i want to go a little wider and shorter.I dont really know wich way to go with this.I would gladly accept any tire suggestions as to size and brand.I was looking at the nitto brand tire but once again i would have to go to a different size.Thanks for any help.Ron.
The rims are 16x7.I am looking at a set of Nitto NT NeoGen VR that are 205/50/16 and according to the tire calculator on discount tires web site this size is really close to what i have just a little wider and a little shorter.
That'll work fine... so if those are what you want, have at it! FWIW, I've run 215s on 7" wide rims just fine. Matt
If you want to a very good estimate of the practical difference between those sizes, check out the Wheel and Tyre Bible -- scroll about a quarter of the way down the page and you'll find a good size calculator.
All good info especialy the tire bible that is in my favs for sure.It has me wondering if i could even go to a 205/45/16 and still be good?
Discount tire also has a size calculator on their site and it gives all the dimensions and the difference between each.
The extra sidewall helps as well with ride quality. For street cars, shorter sidewalls may look good, but really can screw up the ride and handling on rough surfaces while turning. Matt
I was talking with one of my buds today and we discussed the same thing.My wifes soul has a stock 225/45/18s and they do ride a little harsh but man they look good.Some of my club members are even going with a 215/60/15.They are going with a really light 15 inch race wheel.Tires are way cheaper and ride comfort is good.I think i am going to go with the 205/50/16 NeoGen unless someone can suggest a better all around tire for me.I can get them 350 shipped with a warranty from Discount tire.
How about 215/45/16, or even 225/45/16? As the second number is the ratio of the first, the wider tire will give a taller sidewall. Surely there is plenty of clearance to accommodate that? I run 225 on 15x7 for track tires, so that should work. Of course I haven't verified all that so I could be way off.
Look here https://www.onlinetires.com/user/vehicle/tires/all_brands/asc/all_sizes/all_types/all_speeds/page_2.html Also check out the BFG G-Sport and the GENERAL EXCLAIM UHP 87W Discount tire should price match
As the good doctor said, 215s are fine on a 7" rim. There was a suh-moh-kin deal on Hankook RS2s on tirerack recently: $75 a piece. Might want to look into those if you like em sticky.
I had Excalim UHP. Did not like them. Did not like them at all. Personally, I will not recommend them.
I would say the RS2 can totally hang with tires like the Kumho XS and Falken RT615 that are priced over $100. And did I mention the RS2 in 215/45-16 is $75 at tirerack right now?
Thats awesome Steve. Wish I had that when I went through the whole wheel and tire change out ordeal! Could we get that linked somehow into the library?