Anyone running 205/50-16's on their ES, P5, or MSP/MP3?

[markmdz89hatch]

So I've been running this size for the past 4+ years on my '02 ES, and IMO they feel more committed than the 195/55's. I got my ES with the OEM Dunlop tires and they were by far the worst damn tires I've ever owned for any car.

I swapped out all 4 with General Exclaim UHP 205/50-16's and at first the tire was excellent. Very stiff sidewall, and aggressive tread design and semi-soft compound made them a fun tire. However, within about 7-10K miles, the compound hardened up like a rock and I couldn't keep traction to save my life. The stiff sidewall proved to be too stiff and couldn't take any impact without bubbling. One decent pot-hole (which would have done nothing to my old Toyo Proxie FZ-4's or T1-S's) left me a golf-ball sized bubble on each of my D/S tires. They did hold up another 15-20K or so without blowing up though so I'm just 'ehhh' about the tires as a whole.

Now I have Avon ZZ-1's in front, and Kumho ASX out back. The Kumho's have about 20K on them and THEY ARE LOUD. The ZZ's are pretty loud too, but NOTHING compared to the ASX's.

Bottom line, I'm wondering if anyone else is sporting that tire size, and what tire you're running, along with your opinions on them.

Let me know.

 

[Flash5]

im running same tire size but i have faulken zx912s, love them! hold up great in the rain and corner pretty well too.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

im running same tire size but i have faulken zx912s, love them! hold up great in the rain and corner pretty well too.

how's the road noise?

 

[Flash5]

nothing noticeable

 

[mp5user]

I'm using Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S in that size. I'm pleased overall. Changing the wheels to 7" width makes a big difference too. I initially tried the comparable summer PZero Nero, but found that the handling became spooky in the winter on dry tarmac - summer tires are typically not designed to be used below 45 degrees-F.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

I'm using Pirelli Pzero Nero M&S in that size. I'm pleased overall. Changing the wheels to 7" width makes a big difference too. I initially tried the comparable summer PZero Nero, but found that the handling became spooky in the winter on dry tarmac - summer tires are typically not designed to be used below 45 degrees-F.

What wheels are you running?

 

[mp5user]

What wheels are you running?

Rota Slipstream - 16x7 w/45mm offset

 

[Matt V]

I'm running 205/50/16's on my factory 5 spokes and they are great. I can't comment on anything else because they came on the car in that size.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

I'm running 205/50/16's on my factory 5 spokes and they are great. I can't comment on anything else because they came on the car in that size.

Thanks for that Matt. What brand are they?

 

[Matt V]

Sorry to not specify, they are Pirelli P6 all-season tires.

 

[mountjonas]

i ran nitto neo-gens in 205-50 on my p5. they were fine. i had them on for maybe 20k miles when i traded it in and they were showing plenty of life left.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

so what I'm thinking (feel free to call me stupid on this) is that while the P5 and regular 3rd Gen Protege ES both have the same running gear from the factory and obviously there are plenty of you guys using the same size tire as me. I wonder if the sedan is just more prone to tire/road noise resonance into the cabin? I know I'm pulling at shoe-strings here, but look at those who have replied complaining of the same problem I have, and you'll see they're sedan guys, not wagon guys. idk.

 

[R-X-R]

this was a helpful thead, i am gonna get the same size then.

 

[solo.]

FYI, I run 205/55/16 R-compounds on my MSP.

No rubs or bumps or anything!