I bought a set of wheels for my new to me MSM. They are 15x8 ET+25. I have a problem in that I cannot decide what size tires to buy.

205/50R15

or

225/45R15


This car makes between 200-250 rwhp (much closer to the latter) and I don't plan on doing anything competitive with it, though I appreciate walking with a big stick if you know what I mean...

Halp?

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....artnum=28MD5KH
Stance bro

 

Oh like totes brah! So doep!

 

I'd choose the tire you like best, then buy it in whatever size it comes in. On a x8, there won't be much difference in performance, slightly difference in feel, neither of which matter much on the street.

 

GRM article in the December issue considered exactly this question. On track, the 205 and the 225 both delivered almost identical times on a 15x8 with Rivals. The 225 had a little more grip but steering response was better with the 205 because the sidewall was stiffer. A wash in the end according to Andy Hollis.

On a street car, you should probably do 225. It will give a better ride. The 205 falls outside the "lawyer-approved" range for a 15x8 wheel.

 

Id agree on this for ride quality. Might be a tight fit under the front fender with that offset. Suggest rolling front and rear if you put 225's on those wheels.

 

My wallet really likes the prices on 205s too. My neo gens have served me great through half a dozen track days and numerous street miles. At $63 a tire (I think), I can't complain. They were ~2 seconds slower than mobius's 225 rivals, both tested on my car on the same day, on a two mile, 1:34 lap.

 

TBH I am going to order a set of 15x9 6UL's whenever they are in stock again anyway so these are just a stopgap. I think I will just get a set of RT615's in 205 for now. Should be enough to tame the little tiny turbo.

 

RT615s suck ***. Get Rivals or RS3s.

 

615's are $364/set shipped

Rivals are $537/set shipped

RS3's are not exist right now.

 

Think RT615's are a $140 better/set tire than Nitto Neo Gen's?


I can get Neo Gen's for $224 shipped per set.

 

I'd say yes, personally. Though that doesn't mean i particularly like RT615s these days.

They were cool. In like... 2004. :P

 

They have been redesigned since then. Not that it was a major one.

 

Same design, different compound. Still landed them at the back of the pack in ST-class rubber, just slightly less so than before. :P

 

You get what you pay for.

The all-season commuter tires are cheapest, the crappy performance tires are more expensive, the good performance tires are even more expensive. Which one you get depends on how much you are willing to pay for performance.

 

Hole crap, I didn't even see the Nitto was A/S.

No summer rubber, no care.

 

True, but I may not auto-x more than once a year or less...

 

It really doesn't matter.... as a stop gap setup, i'd just get the RT615s and be done with it. Cheap wheel tire setup to get you through and stop spinning 3rd gear until the 15x9 6ULs are back in stock. Doesn't have the be the latest and greatest.

 

I love my federal 595 rsr's, not saying they are amazing or anything compared so some of the more expensive rubber. But for the price they are hard to beat. Coming from shitty all seasons they blew my mind in the twisties.

 

I want to try those so bad but they don't really come in any sizes i find useful. :(