205/55 & 225/50 vs 225/50 & 245/45 on 16" wheels

Considering your concerns, I'd go with the stock sizes...205/55 & 225/50.

 

16" rims - most run these as optimum manufacturer fit for the bead angle involved.

7" rims - 205 55 ZR
8" rims - 225 50 ZR
9" rims - 245 45 ZR

I chose GoodYear Eagle F1 for my 16"QV rims when upgrading from the 14" Campanolo rims. 7" & 8" for my 2v car and think I'm well balanced.
Track cars or cars with higher hp might go for the 8" & 9" rims.

Putting oversize tires on a rim (245/45 on 8" rim) while not dangerous on the street, requires having a chat with yourself to find a good reason for compromising the bead.

Life is filled with choices and there are few do-overs.

 

Not true about option B. Toyo also offers this sizing in the T1R, RA1 R888.... I've mentioned Toyo several times on here but no one seems to listen

 

Unless you have significantly more than 300HP & use the car on the track (or the look of the thing is much more important than the way it drives) then the standard sizes (205F/225R) are more than adequate IMO - and they put less strain on the hubs & ball joints etc, and probably weigh less too.....

With modern tyres 308s & 328s just don't need any more than the standard tyres - but also consider getting a proper 4 wheel laser alignement check done to really get the most out the thing. Small changes make a huge difference.

 

Stick with stock sizes, especially if you are just using the car for street driving. Stock sizes fit the rims properly, give the tires the correct profile, and make the car handle as it was designed. If you check on Tire Rack, it will show the rim size ranges for various sized tires you are looking at, based on manufacturer recommendations. The larger tires may in fact be outside the range for the width of the rims, and you might not even be able to successfully have them mounted.

I have the stock sizes on the 328, and they are great. Had them on the 308 and they were terrific on that car as well. Stay stock, IMHO.

 

Good point on the alignment.

I'm kicking myself for not getting my car aligned after switching to the 16 inch wheels. When i finally did have it done it was a night and day difference (car felt much more planted and steering much heavier). Now i know how the car is supposed to feel.

 

Hey Paul,
I have a 2v myself wit the metric wheels/tires. Are the 16" a noticable improvement or is that all just BS??
If so, in what way? Thanks!!

 

I've tried both sizes and prefer stock. The steering effort is less and the added weight of the fatter tires can actually be felt bouncing the suspension more on bumpy rods.

Dave

 

Steering seems easier now and I think I have better grip but most of my time on 14" rims, my steering rack had a bad bushing. With the 16" handling/steering just seems normal, couldn't ask for better.

Now then - downsides of 16" =

On long trips I'm conscious that if I have a flat and need to put on the spare...the 16" tire I take off will not fit into the boot! Some say theirs do but check the picture. The spare chamber on later cars apparently was made slightly larger.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=138952516&postcount=10

 

If interested, I've got a pair of 225/50-16 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 with about 70% tread remaining.
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If you're more concerned with steering feel and load/effort, and also ride quality then stick with the 205/55/16 in the front and avoid the 45 series rubber in the rear. In fact, when I was putting new rubber on my 16s I put 225/55s on the rear (instead of 225/50) as this keeps the ride nice and pliant, and also takes a few revs off on the freeway, which is more pleasant/relaxed - instead of 4,000rpm at 75 it's more like 3,700.

Quite a lot of selection in the 225/55 rear tire size too. Just a suggestion.