Tire Size Options

Nic-P5

Member
:
2002 Protege 5 & 2010 3 iTouring
I am in the search for new tires for my 2002 P5 and the 195 50 16 size is hard to find. Can anyone advise if they have gone to the next size up 205 50 16 and what if any issues there are; rubbing, steering, etc. I have stock springs and struts and realize that the speed odometer will be off slightly.
 
Short answer:

I've had two sets of 205/50R16 tires on OEM rims and stock springs, and I had not fitment/rubbing problems whatsoever. I also had a set of 205/40R16 tires for a summer, and they fit OK, but I would not recommend them for a daily driver.

YMMV if you have non-OEM springs (or other suspension mods.)
(Edit: which I just read the OP does not have.)



Longer answer:

I've had three different sets of tires (other than the OEM tires) with no rubbing/fitment issues:

Sumitomo HTR A/S P01, size 205/50R16 - my current set. A bit quieter than the previous set of Pirellis, and a bit better in the rain. Much better than the Pirellis in the snow (but not as good as a proper snow tire, of course.) Dry grip is OK (I would not go autocrossing on them.) They were fairly inexpensive. A "good compromise" daily-driver tire.


Pirelli P-Zero Nero size 205/50R16 - Good tires in dry and rain, but not so good in snow. No fitment/rub issues. My speedometer was dead-on perfect (within 1mph at freeway speed, compared to indicated GPS speed.)


Falken Azenis RT-615, size 205/40R16 - (Had them for a summer - they were used, and got them for a good deal.) Fun, fun, fun tires. Very grippy in dry and wet, but watch out for them deep puddles! The wheel wells looked ridiculously empty (on stock springs.) - which I kinda liked. Due to higher gearing provided by the tires' smaller total diameter, the car accelerated a bit more quickly, but revved higher at freeway speed (and messed up my speedometer readings, too.) My fuel mileage decreased a bit, too. I would not recommend this tire size unless your car is lowered, you tend to autocross the car on occasion, or just like to have a funky looking car during summer.
(or you get a set for very cheap!)

I hope this helps. Good luck,


enrique
 
Enrique...thanks for the confirmation on the tires...I am considering the Contis Extreme Contact DWS, reasonably priced and good reviews on tirerack...Nic
 
I'm running 205/50/16 Falken 912s and love them. It provides a cushier ride going over bumps...definitely soaks them up better than the tires I had previously which were stock size. Traction in dry and wet is really good down here in FL :)
 
Enrique...thanks for the confirmation on the tires...I am considering the Contis Extreme Contact DWS, reasonably priced and good reviews on tirerack...Nic

I hear very good things about the Conti DWSs, too (both online and from various friends who have them.) You can't go wrong with those.

Good luck,

E
 
205/50/16 will fit the stock wheels with no issues and you will not have any issues if the car is lowered either. I'm running the Conti Extreme Contact DW in that size on my lowered P5 and have had no rubbing issues.

Check out www.discounttiredirect.com also. They will be a few dollars more but offer free shipping and will still be less than tirerack. In addition search that tire and size on google to see what other on-line retailers have them and their price....discounttiredirect will price match and then some. At least they use to. ;)
 
I've run 205/55/16's for about 200K with MP3 springs. There was a little bit of rubbing on the back until the plastic wore off, and that was only rubbing due to a really heavy load.
 
My speedo is around 2-3mph slower at highway speeds. Not enough to matter IMO and the wider contact patch is great.
 
My 205/40R16 Azenis had about a 5mph difference at 65-70mph. It was noticeable, but not necessarily annoying.

Tires with a 215/40R16 size are wider and a bit taller, so the difference for those is 1-2mph at those speeds (as MazdaSpeeder indicates.) That size sound like fun (I like wider tires.)

enrique
 
The math:
195mm/25.4= 7.68" X .5 (50) aspect ratio = 3.84" sidewall X 2 = 7.68" + 16" rim = 23.68" diameter X 3.1416 (pi) = 74.4" circumference

195-50-16 = 74.4" circumference
205-50-16 = 75.6" circumference
250-40-16 = 70.6" circumference

If running a 205-50-16, multiply your speedo by 1.016 (+1.016%) to get your actual speed. 70mph indicated is actually 71.1mph.
If running a 205-40-16, multiply your speedo by .949 (-5.1%) to get your actual speed. 70mph indicated is actually 66.4mph.

Someone double check me.
 

New Threads and Articles

Back