Tyre stretch, how far can i go?

[Benbay001]

Not in a chavvy way!
Ive posted a few threads on this issue before, one is still active in the jap section.
Long story short, I bought my MR2 in september and its fitted with a set of aftermarket 15" wheels 6.5 inch wide all around, they look good, if a little heavy for the size.
I fitted a set of Toyo R1-Rs to the front axle shortly after buying the car to replace some Chinese ditch finders that the dealer fitted to sell it.

The rear tyres are desperately in need of replacement.
How ever the 225/50 r15s that should be fitted to the rear (staggered sizes) are recommended for wheels that are between 7 and 9 inches wide.
The car currently has 225/50 r15s stretched onto the rear wheels and to my untrained eye they look happy on there, if a little bit wide.

The Toyo r1-r for the rear are in 225/45 r15.
If i fit these to the 6.5 inch rear wheels are they likely to be dangerous?

As i said Toyo recommend the 225/45 r15 R1-Rs are fitted to wheels that are 7 inch wide.

Ive been thinking hard and id rather not splash out on a new set of alloys for a car i may not keep much more than 6 months.

Thank you.

[elephantstone]

Nothing constructive to add but..

I do not understand stretching wheels on some like a MR2 if they could potentially be a problem? It is a drivers car, fair enough sticking them on a ploddy old golf for the look but arent you essentially ruining the car?

ETA I do not understand the way stretching works and the disadvantages etc so please feel free to educate me!

[Benbay001]

The issue is-
Ive got a £1200 car that i dont really want to fit £600s worth of wheels and tyres to, to last me 6 months.

[Benbay001]

elephantstone said:

ETA I do not understand the way stretching works and the disadvantages etc so please feel free to educate me!

Nor do i, thats why im asking.
I am not doing it for cosmetics.
Im doing it to save me a few £.
If its unsafe then i will have to rethink.

[curlie467]

Im lost. How can a tyre recommended for a 7-9" rim be stretched onto a smaller 6.5" rim?

[chris1roll]

I wouldnt have thought a second hand set of the OE wheels should cost much. Thats what i'd bé looking at doing.

[Benbay001]

curlie467 said:

Im lost. How can a tyre recommended for a 7-9" rim be stretched onto a smaller 6.5" rim?

A side wall can be stretched inwards aswell.

[elephantstone]

As popular/common as it is, i would never have the confidence to throw my car into a car at speed if i had stretched my tyres inwards or outwards. Id be looking for another solution.

[Monkeylegend]

Benbay001 said:

curlie467 said:

Im lost. How can a tyre recommended for a 7-9" rim be stretched onto a smaller 6.5" rim?

A side wall can be stretched inwards aswell.

Isn't that called a shrink?

[eldar]

Rims are about .5in undersized for a 225/45 tyre, though ok for a 225/50. So its not really tyre stretch, more the opposite.

[curlie467]

Benbay001 said:

curlie467 said:

Im lost. How can a tyre recommended for a 7-9" rim be stretched onto a smaller 6.5" rim?

A side wall can be stretched inwards aswell.

I know that. It isnt really known commonly as stretched though, that means to stretch a smaller tyre onto a too wide a rim.

[GreigM]

It'll be fine - I've used many variations of tyre/rim size on my track car and half an inch narrower than the manuf rec won't cause any issues. Sure its not optimal and you may not quite get the best handling the tyre could give, but it will work fine.

[curlie467]

To be fair. If it was me I would be putting the front wheels on the back and getting 195/50 15s on the front.

[Benbay001]

Problem solved.
The 225/50 r15 Toyo T1-Rs are recommended for wheels between 6 inch and 8 inch

Panic? What panic?

Just a shame i have to bin my R1-rs for some less grippy rubber. nvm.