16" Front Wheels (Tyre Profile Choice)

[ChimpofDarkness]

Hi all,

I have 16" wheels all round, soon I will need to replace my front tyres.

I'm currently running Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3 in 205/50 R16 and have been very happy with them.

The 50 profile brings the rolling radius of my 16" front very close to the original 15" wheels running the standard 55 profile.

Price & availability of the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3 is pushing me towards Toyo T1-R, I plan to stay with a 205 as I like the steering feel but there are three profile options:

• 45 = Too low for me
• 50 = Perfect rolling radius
• 55 = May improve the ride comfort with little loss in handling performance?

For reference here's a Chim on 16" fronts running the 45 profile which are not to my taste looks wise, and would be going the wrong way as far as ride comfort is concerned.



With 45 ruled out I could just stick with the 50 profile I currently have, but I'm actually tempted to move to 55 for a slightly better ride.

I don't track the car and the rake is easily resolved with my Gaz Gold Pros.

My question is will a 55 profile on my 16" front wheels look out of place?

Here is my car with the current set up (Front = 205/50 R16, Rear = 225/55 R16) next to my mate's blue Chim with the standard 15" fronts and a 55 profile:





Do you think a 55 profile on my 16" fronts will end up looking like too much tyre side wall?

[Simon says]

I would stick with the 50's(I have 7.5 x 16's all round too)45 on a 205 just looks wrong on the Chim

[ChimpofDarkness]

Simon says said:

I would stick with the 50's(I have 7.5 x 16's all round too)45 on a 205 just looks wrong on the Chim

Thanks Simon, the 45's are a definite no for me, I have no particular issues sticking with the 50's I just wondered if I could get away with a 55 profile?

The potential benefit could be to refine the front end ride a fraction, and they do seem to be a bit cheaper in 55 too.

My fear is a 55 profile may look wrong (too much side wall height) against the 225/55 R16 rears I have?

Anyone running 205/55 R16s on the front of their Chim?

What I really need is a photo of a Chim with this setup to see what it looks like.

[Mr Haribo]

5o's are best ! If you want a softer ride can you not adjust the suspension damper rate ?
putting on 55's will upset the the front end drop

[Alexdaredevilz]

I love the chunky tyre look on the Chims

[SILICONEKID340HP]

I have 225/45/16 608mm diameter

205/5515 606mm diameter so the 225/45/16 are the closest match ..

[OleVix]

Daz is right. You run 205/50 or 225/45, forget all others. The 225/45 will have the same sidewall size and diameter as the 205/50. The profile is % of width...

[SILICONEKID340HP]

OleVix said:

Daz is right. You run 205/50 or 225/45, forget all others. The 225/45 will have the same sidewall size and diameter as the 205/50. The profile is % of width...

50% of 205 side wall height = 10.25 cm diameter 61.14 cm

45% of 225 side wall height = 9.68 cm diameter 59.99 cm

205/55/15 side wall height = 11.28 cm dimameter 60.65 cm


The object is to get a wall height 1" smaller to allow for the 16" wheel.

[pwd95]

215 45 16 on the front of mine......

[TV8]

That doesn't look like a red wedge Wyn?

[pwd95]

TV8 said:

That doesn't look like a red wedge Wyn?

Hi Graham, well spotted sir.

[TV8]

When did that go or has the fleet expanded?

[pwd95]

YHM.

[frenchie TVR]

HI Dave,

I know if might not help as I run the 15" at the front, but my set up us:
225/45/16 608mm diameter

205/5515 at the front
245/45/16 at the rear

both tyres at Toyos Proxes.

I am no expert, but I think that handled well on the 2 trcak sessions I have done and I believe that they are pretty good in the wet too...

Frenchie

[frenchie TVR]

Sorry, forgot to delete something on my previous post, it should read:

Hi Dave,

I know if might not help as I run the 15" at the front, but my set up us:

205/5515 at the front
245/45/16 at the rear

both tyres at Toyos Proxes.

I am no expert, but I think that handled well on the 2 track sessions I have done and I believe that they are pretty good in the wet too...

Frenchie

[ChimpofDarkness]

frenchie TVR said:

HI Dave,

I know if might not help as I run the 15" at the front, but my set up us:
225/45/16 608mm diameter

205/5515 at the front
245/45/16 at the rear

both tyres at Toyos Proxes.

I am no expert, but I think that handled well on the 2 trcak sessions I have done and I believe that they are pretty good in the wet too...

Frenchie

Cheers mate, I've now settled on Toyo T1R in 205/50 R16.

I was just toying with a 55 profile to refine the front end ride quality, I now understand the Toyos have a softer side wall than my Goodyears so they should offer that anyway.

In summary my front tyre size will remain unchanged, just the brand changes from Goodyear to Toyo.