Chimaera Tyre Options - Estoril 16-inch Wheels
Discussion
Hello Folks,
I currently have Estoril 16-inch wheels fitted to my Mk3 Chimaera (with Power Steering). Having drawn a complete blank at finding any tyres to replace the ones currently fitted - 225/45/R16 (front) and 245/45/R16 (rear), I am exploring potential alternative tyres sizes for the existing wheels to avoid (if possible) the expense of changing wheels.
My question is, with my current Estoril 16-inch wheels, can I fit the following tyre sizes as this gives quite a lot of choice?
Front: 205/50/16.
Rear: 225/50/16.
I have looked at 1010 Tyres' calculator and it suggests these sizes as near equivalents. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculat...
I currently have Estoril 16-inch wheels fitted to my Mk3 Chimaera (with Power Steering). Having drawn a complete blank at finding any tyres to replace the ones currently fitted - 225/45/R16 (front) and 245/45/R16 (rear), I am exploring potential alternative tyres sizes for the existing wheels to avoid (if possible) the expense of changing wheels.
My question is, with my current Estoril 16-inch wheels, can I fit the following tyre sizes as this gives quite a lot of choice?
Front: 205/50/16.
Rear: 225/50/16.
I have looked at 1010 Tyres' calculator and it suggests these sizes as near equivalents. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculat...
225/50 x 16 rear tyre was the original fitted tyre to most of the cars. 245/45 x 16 became more commonly used because of the lack of Z rated tyres in the original size. The very early cars actually had 225/55 x 16 on the rear but a change was made by the factory for the same reason. 
I never had 16" on the front of any of my Chimaera, but 205/50 x 16 on the front would be only 2.5mm overall increase in diameter on your current tyres, so should be OK, unless your clearance at the front is already a bit tight? They would be 4.9mm wider in diameter than the original 205/55 x 15 if you still had 15" on the front; the very early cars had 205/60 x 15 on the front.
This site is good for finding alternatives: https://alloywheels.com/tyreCalculatorResults2
I never had 16" on the front of any of my Chimaera, but 205/50 x 16 on the front would be only 2.5mm overall increase in diameter on your current tyres, so should be OK, unless your clearance at the front is already a bit tight? They would be 4.9mm wider in diameter than the original 205/55 x 15 if you still had 15" on the front; the very early cars had 205/60 x 15 on the front.
This site is good for finding alternatives: https://alloywheels.com/tyreCalculatorResults2
Citizen Smith, but as I mentioned in my original email ,these sizes are proving impossible to find now. Nobody seems to stock them. If you do know where I can get some new ones, I would be vey grateful. I'm also still very interested in what people think of the sizes I have proposed?
I have an 02 Chimaera 450 with the original Imola’s.
All 16”
On the front I have recently fitted Uniroyal RainSport 5. 205 50 16
On the rear I have Toyo Proxes TR1 which came with the car. I can’t recall but think they may have been on the front originally. They are 225 45 16.
I will go with 225 50 16 when I need to replace them.
I’m no expert but these seem to work fine with no issues.
All 16”
On the front I have recently fitted Uniroyal RainSport 5. 205 50 16
On the rear I have Toyo Proxes TR1 which came with the car. I can’t recall but think they may have been on the front originally. They are 225 45 16.
I will go with 225 50 16 when I need to replace them.
I’m no expert but these seem to work fine with no issues.
On my mk3 Chim with Imolas
Ive got 205/50 r16 toyo TR1 on the front that were purchased less than a year ago to match the brand on the rear which are 245/45 r16 toyo T1R
205/50 is 0.5% difference In rolling radius to a 225/45 so a viable alternative.. and for me I can’t imagine me pushing the limits enough to notice the difference in widths.
Ive got 205/50 r16 toyo TR1 on the front that were purchased less than a year ago to match the brand on the rear which are 245/45 r16 toyo T1R
205/50 is 0.5% difference In rolling radius to a 225/45 so a viable alternative.. and for me I can’t imagine me pushing the limits enough to notice the difference in widths.
MagicChimp said:
Hello Folks,
I currently have Estoril 16-inch wheels fitted to my Mk3 Chimaera (with Power Steering). Having drawn a complete blank at finding any tyres to replace the ones currently fitted - 225/45/R16 (front) and 245/45/R16 (rear), I am exploring potential alternative tyres sizes for the existing wheels to avoid (if possible) the expense of changing wheels.
My question is, with my current Estoril 16-inch wheels, can I fit the following tyre sizes as this gives quite a lot of choice?
Front: 205/50/16.
Rear: 225/50/16.
I have looked at 1010 Tyres' calculator and it suggests these sizes as near equivalents. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculat...
If you are struggling, I can sell you a pair of 15" Estorils fitted with Toyo T1R TVR branded tyres with at least 7mm tread as photo. Came off my Griff.I currently have Estoril 16-inch wheels fitted to my Mk3 Chimaera (with Power Steering). Having drawn a complete blank at finding any tyres to replace the ones currently fitted - 225/45/R16 (front) and 245/45/R16 (rear), I am exploring potential alternative tyres sizes for the existing wheels to avoid (if possible) the expense of changing wheels.
My question is, with my current Estoril 16-inch wheels, can I fit the following tyre sizes as this gives quite a lot of choice?
Front: 205/50/16.
Rear: 225/50/16.
I have looked at 1010 Tyres' calculator and it suggests these sizes as near equivalents. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculat...
MagicChimp said:
..... ones currently fitted - 225/45/R16 (front) and 245/45/R16 (rear).....
Tyreleader have one option in both the sizes you list oddly both Nanking but different models. Front 225-45-16 Rear 245-45-16 No idea if they're any good or not or if you'd mix types. I have 16's all round to fit bigger brakes and run 205/50 R16 Front and 225/50 R16 Rear.MagicChimp said:
Thank you folks. I have gone with Uniroyal RainSport 5 in 205/50/16 and 225/50/16.
Hi MagicChimp,How have you found the Rainsport 5s?
I have Rainsport 3s on mine all round (15" front, 16" rears) and just got a screw in a front tyre. Garage says cant be repaired as near the shoulder. Tyres have done less than 1000miles! Can't get Rainsport 3s any more. I would just change the one tyre if Rainsport3s available (a such little wear on the other one anyhow) but the Rainsport 5 looks quite a different tread pattern to the 3s. So looking like a screw will be costing me two new front tyres grrrr!
I normally like to keep all four tyres the same but I cant stomach changing all four new tyres so thinkng RS5 on the front and RS3s on the rear until they need replacing.
I have just changed my front Rainsport 4 pair, as the tracking was out to the point that the tyres had worn bare on the inner shoulders.
I think you can only get RS5 now, both 3 and 4 are old models. Mine were 10 years old, and apparently quite difficult to get off the rim because the rubber had hardened.
I went for Kumho HS51 tyres because they have the same ratings as the Uniroyals, but are nearer £90 per tyre fitted than £140.
It is also an OEM brand for Ford, which suggests they are a brand of good quality and turnover (therefore fresher rubber), and I don't do track days. My driving is more commuting than racing if I'm honest with myself, so I generally won't be finding the limit of grip.
My front wheels are the original 1995 spec - R15 205/55 with a V speed rating (good for up to 150mph, which I won't be doing!)
I also agree with trying to change all at once, and will be getting the back wheels done in the next couple of weeks, so I don't have 10 years age difference between the front and back tyres.
I think you can only get RS5 now, both 3 and 4 are old models. Mine were 10 years old, and apparently quite difficult to get off the rim because the rubber had hardened.
I went for Kumho HS51 tyres because they have the same ratings as the Uniroyals, but are nearer £90 per tyre fitted than £140.
It is also an OEM brand for Ford, which suggests they are a brand of good quality and turnover (therefore fresher rubber), and I don't do track days. My driving is more commuting than racing if I'm honest with myself, so I generally won't be finding the limit of grip.
My front wheels are the original 1995 spec - R15 205/55 with a V speed rating (good for up to 150mph, which I won't be doing!)
I also agree with trying to change all at once, and will be getting the back wheels done in the next couple of weeks, so I don't have 10 years age difference between the front and back tyres.
I've done 50 miles so far, so hard to tell, but I did take it out for a little lunchtime blast and all was well.
Also they have replaced 10 year old tyres which will inevitably have been stiffer and slightly less grippy.
I'm always amused when people talk of night and day with new tyres, as clearly new rubber is going to be more grippy and perform better.
Also they have replaced 10 year old tyres which will inevitably have been stiffer and slightly less grippy.
I'm always amused when people talk of night and day with new tyres, as clearly new rubber is going to be more grippy and perform better.
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