Tire Sizes!!!!

hey i just got a new set of rims and was about to purchase new tires for them...

will i see any differences between the 215/40R16 and 205/40R16 sized tires??? i mean i know one will make my spedo a little bit off but i mean what about traction and stuff like that

the 215/40R16 tire is probably what im going for but would i see any differentes if i got the 205/40R16

thanks alot,
martin:bigthumb:

The 215's will be a little bit wider than the 205's, so you'll get more grip there. Make sure your wheel width can handle 215's. The 215/40R16's will also be a little larger in overall diameter than the 205/40R16's. 40% of 215 is bigger than 40% of 205. Not by much though. The 205 will also have a little less sidewall flex since the sidewalls aren't as tall as the 215's. Again, not by much.
I'd say go with the 215's because they're wider. Check out the wheel and tire forum here, they have a good FAQ for sizing tires.

dude thanks alot, im going to go to my local tire storebefore i order the tires offa tirerack.com just to make sure of everything!!

thanks anyone else got any input???

anyone??

SELECTED TIRE SIZE:205/40R16

DIAMETER: 22.5" SECTION WIDTH: 8.1" SIDEWALL HEIGHT: 3.2"
MINIMUM RIM WIDTH: 7.0" MAXIMUM RIM WIDTH: 8.0"
REVOLUTIONS PER MILE: 899

IF YOU TRAVELED 60 MPH WITH THIS TIRE INSTALLED ON YOUR VEHICLE
YOUR SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 60.8 MPH

SELECTED TIRE SIZE:215/40R16

DIAMETER: 22.8" SECTION WIDTH: 8.5" SIDEWALL HEIGHT: 3.4"
MINIMUM RIM WIDTH: 7.0" MAXIMUM RIM WIDTH: 8.5"
REVOLUTIONS PER MILE: 886

IF YOU TRAVELED 60 MPH WITH THIS TIRE INSTALLED ON YOUR VEHICLE
YOUR SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 59.9 MPH

www.whalentire.com

Personally, I'd go with a slightly higher sidwall. I'm assuming that you aren't some track racer and a few .s of a mm isn't going to make that big of a difference in your daily driving. Unless your car is slammed, I don't think that the 205/40 is really enough sidewall. My car is dropped 1.8" and with the 205/40s there just leaves too much weird looking fender gap, and it looks like the tire should be a bit bigger. My next full set will be 205 or even 215 /45s because I want a slightly bigger tire.

Just an opinion really.. Pics of my car will be up soon, its done being painted. So you'll get to see the wierdness that I am speaking of in this post. :D