What Size Tires???

[BoroBoroS13]

I just got a set of Impul R1's for my S13 and its time to get a set of tires for em. The fronts are 16X7 offset 32 and rears are 16X8 offset 32. Im trying to decided what tire size to go with for good responce and grip. Basiclly an all around good size tire. I was thinking 225/50/16 but I would like to hear some opinions on it. Thanks.

[Chernobyl]

You have the right idea. I have the same sizes and I run 225/50 in the back and 205/55 up front. Next time, I will run 225/50 all around because I hate the way 205s look (pizza cutters). I run yokohama es100s, btw. Great response, very low tire rollover at 35psi, I love this setup.

[BoroBoroS13]

Exact tires I planed on getting. I am running them on my Infiniti and love them

[Var]

I recommend falken azenis. they will grip better than es100's that are 20mm wider.

[BoroBoroS13]

That was my first choice actually (Grip Like Crazy) BUT they are scary as hell in the rain. Im also new to RWD and I dont want to lose it and bap. Basicly, Rain+New to RWD=All bad for azenies...

Maybe when summer time rolls around and I have some extra cash for another set of wheels I will wrap them in azenies.

[thelinja]

Azenis are awesome bu they have limited sizing and I don't think they offer a 225/50-16. But then again I wouldn't recommend driving on them year round if you're still adjusting to RWD. And they aren't too scary in the rain, I autocrossed with mine in a downpour and they responded 10x what I expected them to. I'd look at the ES100's, Dunlop FM901's and Kuhmo 712's. These choices are all sub-$100/tire and have good reviews.

[Chernobyl]

Originally posted by BoroBoroS13
Exact tires I planed on getting. I am running them on my Infiniti and love them

If you end up getting the es100's, i suggest going 225 all around, even on the 7" rim up front. This is because for some reason, Yokohama decided to make the actual part of the tire contacting the ground on these tires about 20mm narrower than they should be. 205/55-16 es100s simply look goofy... waaay to narrow, they look like 185's.

[russian]

for grip, why not get 235s for the rear? 225 kinda wussy. either stretch or go big i think

[Chernobyl]

235 isn't a common size in 16's. 245/45 would work though, but bulging tires suck. 225 on an 8" rim fits like a glove. perfectly square

[old_s13]

I have 16x8, I run 245/45/16 Bridgestone RE730's and will now be running a set of the newer RE750s in a bit.

They fit like a glove and are a complete block. There's really not that big of a difference between 225/50 and 245/45 -- these are the most popular 16" tires anyway. For the front, I suggest running a 225 and the rear 245.. that should give you some really good grip with a safe feeling of understeer at the limit (well, depending on how your suspension is setup -- but we're just talking figuratively...

As for being new to RWD, dont be scurrd... just get to know the characteristics, thats all. AND, learn how to drive safe.. there are just certain things you have to learn about RWD cars that give you that extra safety benefit. Once you learn to respect it, you will really become a much better driver. The only benefit in buying a better "wet" tire is that it will take higher speeds before it hydroplanes.. thats cool I guess, if thats what you want. But dont expect it to take the RWD out of RWD...

- Mike

[BoroBoroS13]

Thanks for all the imput guys, it helps a lot.

I will consider slaping on some 245/45/16's in the rear. Grip sounds good to me.

[orange-grey]

I think the 205/225 setup sounds perfect. Even if the ES100's have a narrow tread they'll still bulge with a 225/245. Grip is good, but not at the expense of response. BTW, I have a set of ES100's sitting in my living room waiting to go on. Good pick.

[thelinja]

The only thing that sucks about buying different size tires for the rear is that you won't be able to rotate them and if you drive like I do you'll be buying rear tires after a while. And I can't see putting 245's on a car that lacks the power to need them. Just my .02.

[Var]

And considering the fact that s13's understeer, i woudnt put bigger tires in the rear unless they were different tires and i had a lot of camber in the front

[BoroBoroS13]

I wont be rotating because my rears and 16X8 and my fronts are 16X7.

[Chernobyl]

My opinion is still 225's all around, ES100s.... but do what you want. I love how we have about 4 different opinions. I guess its up to you now.

[BoroBoroS13]

Im going with 225/50/16 all around. I dont think I will be pushing the grip far enough for 245's anytime soon

[old_s13]

Well, here is the way I see it.

1) You are not going to rotate. AND, if you really are considering it.. you're going to have to pay to have them un-mounted, rotated, and re-mounted -- thats the ONLY way you'll be able to rotate with your wheel/tire setup.

2) The difference between 225 and 245 is nothing dramatic, its just a tire.. and since you have the necessary rim width, might as well go with the maximum you can fit -- which is a 245. Why not? There's really no draw-back in having MORE traction. Better grip, better launching.. its all good.

UNLESS of course, you WANT to slide.. if thats the case, why even go with a wide wheel setup? You might as well get something 205 or 225.

As under/over steer, thats all suspension setup and how you adjust it. You can play with many variables to change the handling characteristics of your car. AND, if you're still learning how to be a "good driver," a bit of understeer will never hurt, especially when there is "power oversteer" which ANY RWD car can induce.

- Mike

[Halz]

Whats the point of having more grip when you're not competing for any sort of times?

More grip is more expensive. Stick with 195 all seasons.

[lbcklik1486]

Originally posted by thelinja
Azenis are awesome bu they have limited sizing and I don't think they offer a 225/50-16. But then again I wouldn't recommend driving on them year round if you're still adjusting to RWD. And they aren't too scary in the rain, I autocrossed with mine in a downpour and they responded 10x what I expected them to. I'd look at the ES100's, Dunlop FM901's and Kuhmo 712's. These choices are all sub-$100/tire and have good reviews.

I've always wondered why Azenis weren't made in bigger sizes? They are such awesome tires, with pretty decent life/grip, and for under 100 bucks, you can't go wrong. Plus, Dave from SCC uses em, lol.

[old_s13]

Originally posted by Halz
Whats the point of having more grip when you're not competing for any sort of times?

More grip is more expensive. Stick with 195 all seasons.

uh huh, and why not sell those nice 16's and get a set of 14's! The difference between a 225 and 245 16 inch tire is NOTHING, or next to near nothing. I've always paid 120 a tire for my 16's, regardless of which size I bought.

Its not about competing, its about seeing other cars in your REAR view mirror when you're out having fun with your car. If you want to play with RX7's and R32 GTR's, you've got to have comparable equipment. Both cars run 16x8. Both cars fit 225/50 or optional 245/45, stock.

- Mike

[BoroBoroS13]

Wow, you bring up some very good points old... I can see exactly what your talking about and 245's in the rear sound great.

But... tirerack is out of stock in the Navada warehouse for 245's and the added costs of shipping from Delaware and the extra cost of 245's makes it close to $50 more than 225's all around.

Is it worth the extra $50 for the extra grip over 225's or would 225's all around be a more wise choice?

[old_s13]

In this case, just go with the 225's all around. Atleast that way, you can take them off, remount & rotate -- that will make them a bit more realistic in terms of longevity.

Like I said, the diff between 225 and 245 is not that much.

- Mike

[holisticbeatz]

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