Thread: tire and wheel advice

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This is a new area for me so advice would be great. I'm purchasing a used 2000 Toyota MR2 spyder convertible for a commuter (33mpg hwy) The guy I'm buying it from has 4 aftermarket 16" rims on it that are 7" wide. The car presently over stears as a result of the front and back tires and wheels being the same size. These cars were designed for 15" rims with a 6" wide front and a6.5 " wide rear wheel. The tires that were stock were 185x55 for the fronts and 205x50 rears. right now it has 205x55 on front and back.
So this is a question for tire guys , according to Toyota the stagger ratio between front and back is important for cars with mid engine, rear wheel drive systems, knowing this, and knowing it has 16" rims, do you think running 185x55 16" fronts on these rims, and 205x50 16" on the rear would work, and what kind of tire to use. The guy I'm getting it from thinks 205's in front and 225 in back would also work. Since it will be primarily a commuter, I'll need an all season tire. Anyway I like the rims which are new, but also want it to handle safely, so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve.

being a 16 inch rim the closest tire size to the stock 185/55/15 would be the 185/50/16....it only has a 1.16% difference ....
Stock tire is....23.1 inches in diametre
new tire is......23.24 inches in diametre

with the back ....the closest tire size to the stock 205/50/15 would be the 195/45/16 .74% difference......OR...you go with the 195/50/16 2.54% difference
Basically.....seeing that the speedo is connected to the tranny......for speed.varience you go with the back tire calculation....... the front is simply to match the closest size.

Stock Tire.....23.07 inches in diametre.....speedo reads 60mph = 60mph
seeing that the speedomoter is connected to the tranny
195/45/16 tire.....22.90 inches in diametre......speedo reads 60mph = 59.5/mph actual speed
195/50/16 tire.....23.67 inches in diametre......speedo reads 60mph = 61.5/mph actual speed


Tires - 1010tires.com Tire Search

hope this helps......

Actually that helps a lot! It doesn't seem to really change the speed much does it? Next question is the 205 vs 225(front/back). This still maintains a 20 offset in width, but might fit the 7" wide rims better?

Just got call from credit union, that they will not finance a car over teen years old, sold all the above is mute for now. I will definately look into tires/wheels being stock on any new vehicles we potentially purchase. Also interesting nobody in my area re calibrates speedometers anymore. I was really surprised by this. A local speed shop gave me an east bay area number who does, but they too said the economy dumping, caused them to let go of the mechanic who used to do this for them. Interesting! I did find some units on Summit you can buy for domestic cars that will recalculate and program your speedo base on tire diameter.

the 205 front is 2 sizes too big and the 225 rear is also 2 sizes too big. One of the issues with having tires too big can affect traction control or ABS Systems. the tires that I mentioned above have the same width as the stock tires with in a 1/16th of an inch. No worries about over steer, under steer, clearance issues or excess strain on the wheel bearings. My professional opinion, I would not reccomend the 205 front and 225 rear. It may look more pleasing estetically but its asking for problems down the road.

Dan - you are right. Fortunately I now don't have to worry about it. Since the loan wouldn't go thru for a 11 year old vehicle we couldn't get it. On a possitive note, a 2003 model I originally wanted became available, it has stock wheels and 15k less miles coming in at 25,800. The car is a steal at 10k, and has a 6 speed sequential shifter manual tranny, so all and all much better, and cleaner, not to mention safer! It has been a real lesson in learning about mods to a new vehicle though. I thank you for your help and input. Steve.

its unfortunate that you didnt get the 2000 MR2 Spyder.....but I guess in its own way its seems to be working out for the better by getting the newer with less mileage. Glad I was able to help a bit. I have been dealing with the tire industry for 32 years. If you ever have a question about tire and wheel sizes or speed and load index, traction, wearout, and heat dispursment....ring the bell and Ill try to help out.

Dan

Thanks Dan
Turns out I'm relieved the first one didn't work out. This one that we bought yesterday is like new. I wish I had a picture of my wife driving it, the grin on her face was priceless!
Here are a few shots below. Maybe when these current tires wear out I'll get a recommendation for new ones from you, these are Bridgestone's, not my favorite. Unfortunately Michelin doesn't seem to make an all season or any tire for that matter that fits both the front and back! I think Yokohama does, but don't know much about them.

the type of tires that are available depends on how you will drive the car...LOL and how long you would like the tires to last.
Any info will help me alot to show you which tires are the best for you.

There are 10 differnent tire brands that make the rear tires 205/50/15.....
and 8 brands that make the front 185/55/15
also 13 brands that make the 195/50/15 for the front.....gives you more choices for a tire that will work great.

so you are not stranded with too rare of a tire size.

Bear


Dan

Funny thing is the 2003 comes with the following sizes

185/55-15 (Front)
215/45-16 (Rear)
It seems hard to find a matching set of 4 with the fronts being 15 and the backs being 16. I'm looking more for a good life tire that is an all season, since we have a wet season here as well as warm summers. I really like Michelins, since they seem to have great grip, and long tire wear. What are your thoughts given this info? I don't need racing slicks, as this is the new daily commuter, but would like something that will grip the road.

Good looking car Stovens! Nice job! Car looks great. Don Jr.

Thanks Don. For the first time in 8 years I'm enjoying driving in the car! My wife said the other day when we bought it, can we go out for a cruise in the country? We hadn't done that since we sold the 4 wheel steering prelude. I find myself grinning at it's nibble responsiveness. Also getting into the 6 speed sequential manual transmission. I wasn't so sure about it when we bought it, but now that I'm used to it, it is a blast! I still find my left foot looking for a clutch!

Originally Posted by stovens

Funny thing is the 2003 comes with the following sizes

185/55-15 (Front)
215/45-16 (Rear)
It seems hard to find a matching set of 4 with the fronts being 15 and the backs being 16. I'm looking more for a good life tire that is an all season, since we have a wet season here as well as warm summers. I really like Michelins, since they seem to have great grip, and long tire wear. What are your thoughts given this info? I don't need racing slicks, as this is the new daily commuter, but would like something that will grip the road.

Ok......In the exact stock tire....there is very little choice...in fact I didnt come across any all seasons...just summer tires.
BUT>>>>>>>>>

if you change the tire size to the next best fit that will not interfear with anything you have tons of choice.
rear.....205/50/16
front....195/50/15

here is the list as follows in sets of 4 matching tires in order from best to worst for the money and quality.

Toyo Proxes 4 They have both front an rear matching, Both are all season with M+S rating(mud and snow) they both have V rating and both have UTQG of 300-AA-A

Toyo Extensa HP....front and rear, All season, both V rated and Both have UTQG of 360-A-A


Kumo Ecsta AST(KU25) both front and rear, Both H rated, both have UTQG 400-A-A

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
205/50/16 & 195/50/15 both are all season with V speed rating and UTQG of 400-A-A meaning both tires will wear out the same and have identical traction and heat dispersment. They are also the most expensive.

General Exclaim UHP
have both front and rear matching with rear speed rating of W(168mph) and front rating of V(149mph).Very litle diffenece, and you will not feel the difference in handling unless you plan to travel that fast. Identical wear out and UTQG of 380-AA-A
will give you better traction than Michelin and will last just as long.

Thank you! Yesterday called Toyota to see what the recommended. They said the Bridgestone Potenza still makes front and back sets that fit. Very expensive compared to the above stuff. Something to the tune of 160-200 for each front tire, and 212-250 for each rear. They are the tires that are on it now, and they do ride nice, though the rears will need replacing in a few thousand miles.