Waste of width - if you got it, use it?

[Adam West]

I thought my next tires would be 215's since I have some 00 RS rims that I worked to get since they are 7" wide. But I see this great deal at Tire Rack on S-03's (still) and think I should jump on getting them...$90 for 205-50-16s.

Also wondering what I'll experience running 50 sidewalls - just slightly more fender gap and stiffer ride? Do I have that right? Ideally I could get 215-55-16 but the price is much higher...

What do you guys think? I've only bought a handfull of tires in my life so I'd like to benefit from your wisdom...Cheers, A

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp ... 55WR6S03PP

[Legacy777]

I'm running 205/50 r16's and have been very happy with them.

Before I was running 205/45 r16, and I like the 50's better. They will support more load, and I noticed no decrease in handling between the 45 & 50 series aspect ratio tires.

[Imprezive]

Ok, So your sidewall height w/ the 205/50 series will be ~ 102.5mm Vs. 118.25mm w/ the 215/55 series.

Thats about the same sidewall height as my tires which are 225/45's.

According to the specs off of TireRack, the tread width of the 205/50 is 7.6" and with the 215/55 its 7.9". The only difference being the 215/55 is mounted on a 7" wide rim where as the 205/50 was measured when mounted on a 6.5" rim.

Since you'd also be using a 7" wide rim you might actually gain a tad more tread width, making its contact patch closer to the same size as the 215/55.

So here is my opinion; If you are able to save $40 per tire and only sacrifice a SLIGHTLY harsher ride and SLIGHTLY smaller contact patch then go for it. Those S-03's are gonna grip awesomly anyways.

As for fender gap if your car is lowered some, which I believe it is if you've got H&R sports on there, it wont look bad at all. My brother has 205/45's on his car and they look small. Its kinda funny actually.

[Legacy777]

yeah....the 205/45's did look a little on the small side.

here's some pics of before & after
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... es/wheels/

Also, just to note, not all tires conform to the same dimensions. The GS-D3's I'm running tend to have a slightly smaller width compared to the S-03's or possibly others.

[AWD_addict]

I'm happy with 205/50r16 S-03s.
They don't ride much harsher than 205/55r16 RE92s, but they seem to tramline more. This is probably due to the tread pattern and compound as much as the size.

Ninja edit: I hadn't got them to break loose on a dry corner before I put winters on. S-03s are grippy!

[jake15]

i <3 S0-3's!! they are by far the best tire i've had yet, very very grippy

[Adam West]

Thanks guys - I bought a set last night with confidence knowing that they will work right and look good- little over $400 bucks with shipping - screaming deal. Yeah, I spent an entire evening reading feedback on the various tires and seems like every tire has a bunch of folks that hate it - these were hated the least of any I read with the only real knock against them is that they wear out more quickly than some others. Really looking forward to getting these mounted next week and getting off the hand-me-down Nittos I bought used off the parts shed. 16"s and wide should look good. Happy new year and drive fast and safe! ~Adam

[ultrasonic]

S-03's in the winter in Seattle?

[Adam West]

Rated in the 8's in the wet by Tire Rack. Yes, we'll see...

[jake15]

S-03's in the winter in Seattle?

You say that like we actually get snow or something in the winter... instead of rain all the time

[magicmike]

just picked these up for my summer tires this past summer, awesome tires!!! they are litterally like glue and I never heard tire squeel around a corner.

thread with pics
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=28457