16 inch wheels - 45 or 50 ratio?

[Volta]

Which tires will typically have stiffer sidewalls? 205/50 or 205/45? I always figured the more sidewall the flexier it will be. I'm new to this. Any advice?

 

[M-Sport fan]

Given identical side wall construction, and mounting on the same width wheel, the 45s should be noticeably stiffer, with better 'turn-in response', than the 50s.

 

[Volta]

Given identical side wall construction, and mounting on the same width wheel, the 45s should be noticeably stiffer, with better 'turn-in response', than the 50s.

Kind of what I figured! Thank you. I'm still mulling over which tire to throw on my Dekagrams, hah.

 

[Sakel]

I chose 205/45 because for $40 more there seemed like no real difference between them

 

[ywgbandit]

WHERE I LIVE THAT LITTLE BIT EXTRA SIDEWALL ON A 50 IS APPRECIATED WITH ALL OUR POTHOLES. YOU CAN STILL CORNER LIKE YOU ARE ON RAILS WITH A 50!

 

[TemecFist]

No issues whatsoever on a 7" wheel, not even close, plenty of room unless you have some weird offset, but about 32-48 ET is fine. I've had bigger tires on stock suspension, those 205/50R16 tires are a little taller but very mild actually... I have 225's on both cars (225/45R16 wich is the same diameter as 205/50R16 and some 15's) and they have to be dialed in slightly to ensure no interference.

What do you mean by "dialed in" with those 225's?

 

[M-Sport fan]

I believe he is speaking to the obligatory negative camber needed to use that size, and clear the fenders without radically 'pulling' them, on a lowered FiST.

 

[R3LF-13]

I recently bought a Fiesta ST that already had 16" wheels and 205/45/r16 tires on it. To my eye, the 45s looked a little small and this thread was one of the first I came across looking into it. After reading through it and a number of others, I became convinced that I wanted 50 series tires and so here are the results. I hope it will be a beneficial addition to the thread -- here is 205/45/16s vs 205/50/16s on the same car, stock suspension.

I am very happy. I think the 50s fill the wheel well much better, the beefier look is much more aggressive (this is actually hard to capture in pics compared to in person) and the ride is improved. Recommend the 50s to anyone on the fence.

 

[foodtruck]

To my eye, the 45s looked a little small

I don't know what it is about 205/45r16 that makes the wheel look this way even tho the overall radius and width should be the same as the stock 17" one (maybe rounder shoulders?), but 50 looks so much better. I had to pick Indys in 45 last year since it was the only thing that's available at the time but definitely going back to 50 when they're done (or RT660s in 215/45)

 

[M-Sport fan]

I recently bought a Fiesta ST that already had 16" wheels and 205/45/r16 tires on it. To my eye, the 45s looked a little small and this thread was one of the first I came across looking into it. After reading through it and a number of others, I became convinced that I wanted 50 series tires and so here are the results. I hope it will be a beneficial addition to the thread -- here is 205/45/16s vs 205/50/16s on the same car, stock suspension.

I am very happy. I think the 50s fill the wheel well much better, the beefier look is much more aggressive (this is actually hard to capture in pics compared to in person) and the ride is improved. Recommend the 50s to anyone on the fence.

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I agree with the 'look' of the 205/50s, and yes, with the extra side wall cushioning for use on destroyed roads.

I even have 205/50s on my Dekagrams for daily driving.

But therein lies the 'rub' (to make a pun), as that W-I-D-E for it's 205/50 size NEO GEN on my 40ET, 16x8 wheels DOES just that (rub) at times, under certain conditions, out on the roads, yes, even on the fully factory suspension and ride height, and a lightened car.

I am seriously considering running 205/45-16s next go round if I even decide to keep these wheels, despite the 'jacked up' rough tarmac rally 'look', unless someone releases an UHP all season in a 215/45-16 size (almost a half inch shorter than the 205/50s, but still a bit taller than the 205/45s), which is highly unlikely.

Your setup may not rub because you are using a narrower 205/50, on a 7.5" wheel (not sure of the offset on the Lockouts ).

 

[R3LF-13]

I agree with the 'look' of the 205/50s, and yes, with the extra side wall cushioning for use on destroyed roads.

I even have 205/50s on my Dekagrams for daily driving.

But therein lies the 'rub' (to make a pun), as that W-I-D-E for it's 205/50 size NEO GEN on my 40ET, 16x8 wheels DOES just that (rub) at times, under certain conditions, out on the roads, yes, even on the fully factory suspension and ride height, and a lightened car.

I am seriously considering running 205/45-16s next go round if I even decide to keep these wheels, despite the 'jacked up' rough tarmac rally 'look', unless someone releases an UHP all season in a 215/45-16 size, which is highly unlikely.

Your setup may not rub because you are using a narrower 205/50, on a 7.5" wheel (not sure of the offset on the Lockouts ).

Interesting. I have not read much about rub with this set up and there is even a post about running 205/50/16s with Mountune springs with rub only in one particular scenario iirc. I can't speak from experience though because I've only had the car for 3 days and have only done one brief 7/10ths run on a curvy road by my house.

I plan on changing things up again next summer though as the Lockouts weren't my choice (came on the car) and ill need a summer setup. The Lockouts are indeed 16×7.5 +40 BTW. Thanks for the input!

 

[Supapoopa]

Lots of good info and pics to help those making a decision between the two sizes. I feel 205/50's look good with stock suspension while 205/45 look better when lowered.

I went with 205/50's Indy 500's due to bad roads and it's a great option for taming the harsh ride on broken pavement. They ride almost as well as my previous 15" wheel setup. I was worried they would look oversized but they look great in person (Indy 500) vs other brands in same size.

 

[R3LF-13]

Lots of good info and pics to help those making a decision between the two sizes. I feel 205/50's look good with stock suspension while 205/45 look better when lowered.

I went with 205/50's Indy 500's due to bad roads and it's a great option for taming the harsh ride on broken pavement. They ride almost as well as my previous 15" wheel setup. I was worried they would look oversized but they look great in person (Indy 500) vs other brands in same size.

Nice, I like those wheels. 👍

Yeah, I think people who worry the 50s will look "balloon-y" or off-roadish are basing that on certain pictures, but imo that all goes away in person. The meatiness is just right.