Tyres numpty

[duncscz]

Been researching which tyres to fit when needed. At present, the car has Ventus K102 (225/50R15 91V) on the back and Bridgestone Potenza S-03 (225/50ZR15 91W) on the front. All seemed simple enough. However, with limited clearance in the front wheelarch, I just measured the diameter of the rims and find that they are 16". Hmmmm ??

Therefore, should I fit like for like, or move to R16 tyres ? I'm confused ?

The front tyres will need to have a diameter (when fitted) equal or less than the Potenza's, to avoid scrubbing the front of the wheel arch. (Looks like the Ventus would be too wide to fit on the front).

These are the wheels :

[Wedg1e]

If they're 15" tyres, they must be 15" rims. I think the wheel size is quoted across the point where the tyre bead seats, not the actual rim diameter.

[400SE Dave]

The tyre sizes mentioned are the standard sizes for the 15" rims. No way you cold get a 15" tyre on a 16" rim.

[rev-erend]

Take the tyre size from the tyre and not by measuring the rim.

Also when you search for tyres - you need any tyre with a VR or greater speed rating.

So that is VR, WR, XR, YR, ZR.

I found this site with a good range ..

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/

They have Falken and Toyo with are both beeter than the other offerings.

[duncscz]

Thanks .. thought there must be a simple explanation.

I've used mytyres in the past, so I'll have another look. I'm quite a fan of Toyo .. had them on my Chimaera in the past. Strangely, last time I looked, it seemed that 15" Toyos were more expensive than 16" !! ... supply and demand, I guess.

[Solitude]

check out Blackcircles.com, cheaper than my tyres for both falken and toyo.

[duncscz]

Thanks .. I'll check them out too.

BTW, what does the 'Z' refer to in 225/50/ZR15 91W ? Low profile ?

Are Toyo Proxes TR-1 low profile ? It doesn't say as such on their website, but maybe they all are ?

TIA

[grahamw48]

The 'low-profile' is just a bit of marketing bullst these days, as most modern tyres can be considered as such, compared to tyres (80 profile ?) in the golden years of motoring and starting handles.

The correct size of tyre for 390SE Wedges on 15 inch rims is 225/50 x 15...VR or above (ZR) speed rated ...whatever the manufacturer.

Toyo T1Rs are very popular.

Edited by grahamw48 on Wednesday 28th April 23:19

[Wedg1e]

duncscz said:

Thanks .. I'll check them out too.

BTW, what does the 'Z' refer to in 225/50/ZR15 91W ? Low profile ?

Are Toyo Proxes TR-1 low profile ? It doesn't say as such on their website, but maybe they all are ?

TIA

The profile is the height of the tyre sidewall, expressed as a percentage of the tread width. So your 225/50 would have a sidewall of (50% of 225) about 112mm. A lower profile 225 tyre would be a 225/45 or a 225/40 - if such things exist - with sidewalls of 101 and 90mm respectively. Don't forget that the compliance (flexibility) of the sidewall goes some way towards determining the ride comfort... no point in having a car that sticks like poo to a politician on the track one day a year if it knocks your fillings out on the road the other 364. IMHO unless you're running the stickiest rubber that money can buy and still have understeer on corners, really low profiles on a wedge are pointless... and how many people truly drive that hard? We'll leave the fashion victims to it, of course