tyres 205/55/15 or215/55/15

[wintrading]

Simple question. I got to get new tyres. And, as my dealer told me, the tyre size for the front tires of a griffith 500 (1996 no power steering) originally should be 205/55/15. But i got 215/55/15 tyres now. Does this really matter. What should i buy???which size?

[jigs]

The early Griffiths had 215s.

[mrmaggit]

We've just replaced the original SO1's on Wol with 205 Toyo's front and 245's on the back. Noticable improvement in ride comfort, better grip at the back, no increase in effort at low speed manoevres. Wol's a '96 non pas.

[DustyC]

jigs is right but it also states in the bible that increasing the front tyre size can actual create more understeer.
Then again the PAS models have 225 so Im sure you'll be ok on 215.

[homersimpson]

some had 205 some had 215.Mine has the origonal 205s still on it.

[red griff 500]

My 94 500 (no PAS) has 215 SO1's, but I find it tramlines a lot. I'm thinking of fitting 205's to reduce this. Am I right in thinking it'll reduce it?

[IPAddis]

DustyC said:

jigs is right but it also states in the bible that increasing the front tyre size can actual create more understeer. Then again the PAS models have 225 so Im sure you'll be ok on 215.

I've got 225 on the front of my non-PAS car. They seem to quell the initial understeer when you're really throwing it into a corner (which I know you shouldn't do).

However to say that the PAS cars had 225s and hence they will fit is wrong. The different rack means different rack stops. My car is fine on compressed suspension OR full lock but with both, the wheel touches the wheel arch.

I suspect the PAS cars had a slightly large turning circle, which may also contribute to their reduced number of turns lock-to-lock.

Ian A.