tire sizing question 16x8...

[brandon11130]

I got tires for my 16x8's 205x45R16 front and 215x40R16 for the rear

my question is since the front is going to be streched a little bit if the larger sidewall difference will even be noticed? both are bfg gforce..

anyone got any pictures? thanks

[e30this]

i would prolly sell 2 of the tires and get 2 matching.

[nefarious7907]

Staggering the tire width is going to make it understeer

[brandon11130]

Staggering the tire width is going to make it understeer

an e30 with understeer is that possible? lol i have only ever experienced oversteer

[z31maniac]

You will have taller tires in the front.

FTL

[JGood]

Staggering the tire width is going to make it understeer

A claimed 10mm tire width difference on a car that can't keep a flat contact patch as it is, isn't going to make a noticeable difference.


OP, the sidewall section heights may closer then you think. The sidewall measurement (aspect ratio... 45 or 40, in your case), is a measurement of a percentage of the tire section width. For instance, the 205/45 will have a sidewall section height that is 45% the section width of the tire (205).

To get the sidewall measurement, convert the tread width to inches (205 / 25.4) and multiply by the aspect ratio (.45). You end up with a 3.63" for the 205/45/16 and 3.39" for the 215/40/16. The difference is ~1/4".

Now just to fuck you up, section width is calculated with the tire mounted on a specific width wheel (usually these specs are available, check tirerack.com). So they most likely measured the 205 on a 6.5" or 7" wheel, since that's what it belongs on, not an 8" wheel (says the guy running 205/50/16 r-comps on his 16x8's... lol).

[z31maniac]

Sidewall yes, but the OD is a half inch difference.

I still don't get why you want a taller tire on the front.

[JGood]

According to tire rack, it's 22.8" vs. 23.2" OD, difference of .4". But that's with the 215 on a 7.5" wheel and the 205 on a 7.0" wheel. Stretch the 205 on an 8" wheel and the OD may decrease to the point where's it back to within a difference that's not noticeable compared to the 215/40 stretched on the 8" wheel. I guess you'd have to see it, as that's subjective...

I'm assuming he wants the taller tire up front because the shorter tire is wider, and wider in the rear is the "norm" for RWD cars...

[Mystikal]

Streching will not change the OD. You'll probably see it.

I just put 205/45s on the front my GF's car, you can clearly see the difference from the 195/50's on the back. And yes, reverse stagger ftmfw.

[brandon11130]

fuckles, i got them because they were cheap.... guess im buying 2 tires..

what should i get, 2 more 205 45R16 or 215R40 16's?

the wheels are typical 740il 16x8 weaves

[Mystikal]

I'd actually just run the 215s up front. But that's just me.

205/45 will look a lot better on those wheels. 215/40 only looks right super stretched.

[daniel]

Streching will not change the OD. You'll probably see it.

I just put 205/45s on the front my GF's car, you can clearly see the difference from the 195/50's on the back. And yes, reverse stagger ftmfw.

hehe i temporarily have some reverse stagger goin on. 225/45-16 front, 205/50-16 rear. it sucks actually, i cant wait until i get it fixed.