New Shoes - 205/45r16 - help!!

[Dpro]

Most 205/45r16 are pretty narrow for an 8" wide rim. Just about all 205/45s aren't even rated for a 7.5" wheel. The extra sidewall of the 205/50s helps them fit better. I personally don't understand going down a size in tires when most people went to 16s to get more rubber on the ground. The 205/45 are already shorter than OEM, plus a stretch makes them even shorter, so you're basically at OEM rubber thickness or not even .5" more rubber. I'd recommend the biggest 205/45 available if going that route, especially as a daily/commuter.

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Again I will reiterate one most look at the actual measured tread patch and measured section width before making their decision. Your statement above is a generalization or comes off that way unless you have actually measured most of the tires. Plus going 205/45 in a 16 is not going down a size because we go up in aspect ratio. Its actually closer to stock spec than a 215/45 16 when it gets right down to actual diameter circumference measurement.
You do pickup sidewall height even with the slight stretch. I say slight because it is. Most guys here are so freaked out about stretch they do over exaggerate the extent of it.
Its so minor its almost ridiculous to be worried about it.
I am not against running a 215/45 16 either its just we do not have a lot of options unless one is willing to go to a tire that does not match the handling capabilities of our cars IMO
aka Indy 500’s while good I feel could be much better.

 

[AZSP33D]

I have a new set of RS4 in 205/45R16 cheap if you’re in the Phoenix area. I did have them installed and then I changed to 205/50R16’s the same day.

 

[Brianmc27]

Again I will reiterate one most look at the actual measured tread patch and measured section width before making their decision. Your statement above is a generalization or comes off that way unless you have actually measured most of the tires. Plus going 205/45 in a 16 is not going down a size because we go up in aspect ratio. Its actually closer to stock spec than a 215/45 16 when it gets right down to actual diameter circumference measurement.
You do pickup sidewall height even with the slight stretch. I say slight because it is. Most guys here are so freaked out about stretch they do over exaggerate the extent of it.
Its so minor its almost ridiculous to be worried about it.

All of the research I did came of with 215/45r16 being closer to stock spec diameter than 205/45r16

OEM Potenza 205/40r17 - 23.46"
Federal ST-1 215/45r16 - 23.6" (>0.14")
Indy 500 205/45r16 - 23.2" (<0.26")
Conti ECS 205/45r16 - 23.3" (<0.16")

So the Conti is pretty close, as it's closer to a pseudo 210 tire

 

[Snrub]

Tire Rack will mount 205/50/15 on a 15x8 and 225/45/15 on a 15x9, they've done it for me. They will call to confirm it's a motorsports fitment though. I found a local performance shop who will also mount them. Off road means there are fewer legal implications, but surely a track is not a safer environment for a tire.
I could be mistaken, but I thought I rememebered DOT rules mandated a certain maximum rim witdth based on the tire size. I did a quick google search and I was unable to confirm this.

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

Again I will reiterate one most look at the actual measured tread patch and measured section width before making their decision. Your statement above is a generalization or comes off that way unless you have actually measured most of the tires. Plus going 205/45 in a 16 is not going down a size because we go up in aspect ratio. Its actually closer to stock spec than a 215/45 16 when it gets right down to actual diameter circumference measurement.
You do pickup sidewall height even with the slight stretch. I say slight because it is. Most guys here are so freaked out about stretch they do over exaggerate the extent of it.
Its so minor its almost ridiculous to be worried about it.
I am not against running a 215/45 16 either its just we do not have a lot of options unless one is willing to go to a tire that does not match the handling capabilities of our cars IMO
aka Indy 500’s while good I feel could be much better.

Right I'm making a generalization since there are outliers like the extra wider sc2 in 205/45. What I meant by down a size was referring to outer diameter of the tire.

I did a ton of homework before buying my tires and after being in several 205/45 cars on similar street tires, I'd say I'm pretty happy with my Indy's. I'd love a more aggressive tire like falken 615k+ but I put too many miles on my car and don't track it seriously often. Since my 205/50 Indy's have a higher weight rating, the sidewalls actually feel stiffer than the sc2s 205/45.

Bad roads, stock height or close I'd recommend 205/50s. Lowered significantly it's 205/45. I want to try the Federals in 215/45 but I'm afraid of losing turn in.

My requirements for a tire were in this order:
-performance
-retain OEM turn in
-last minimum 1 year (20K)
-commuter comfort
-dont suck in the rain

Indy's ticked those boxes at under $100ea

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[XanderMax]

Yeah, some have also claimed that the Yellow coil overs will go to factory ride height as well, but I want/need a setup that can go to .75" to an inch HIGHER THAN the stock ride height if needed, front AND back.

IF I go with a coil over setup over a Bistein B6 on new factory springs, it will probably be the soon to be released, Panda Motorworks exclusive, Silver NeoMax gravel rally spec suspension, with some higher rate, but shorter height, Swift springs on them, set to a factory ride height.

BTW, there is only ONE tuner shop around here who will even put a 205/50-16 on a 16x8 (for a substantial 'extra charge' of course ), and NONE of the online places that I've asked will do this at all.

So between that, the stretch which is NOT wanted for the bombed-out roads around here, and a bit more wheel edge protection, I will go with a set of STRONG 16x7s with the requisite for my cold ambient temp capable locale, UHP all season 205/50-16s on them, since this setup will NEVER see a road course, or an autocross course.

My local discount tire put the 205/50 re71r on my dekagram for me, no questions asked. I'm sure I signed some waver in the purchase agreement, but I had zero pushback on fitment.

 

[XanderMax]

Quick pole update, 205/45 Indy more than double the rest. (Only 10 total votes, but HALF are for the 205/45 Indy)

I think I'm between the SC2 or the Indy in 205/45. Just not sure about stretch vs extra contact patch.

Hadn't thought that a stretch will reduce OAD.

St-1 still in the back of my head too.

Full paralysis of analysis engaged 😖

 

[HBEcoBeaST]

I love my Indy's. meaty wide tires look [emoji91]

Since you're lowered I'd go with the sc2s for looks. Splitting hairs performance wise

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[AZSP33D]

Anyone add some negative camber to clear the fender lips, or is it rubbing the liners?

 

[M-Sport fan]

Quick pole update, 205/45 Indy more than double the rest. (Only 10 total votes, but HALF are for the 205/45 Indy)

I think I'm between the SC2 or the Indy in 205/45. Just not sure about stretch vs extra contact patch.

Hadn't thought that a stretch will reduce OAD.

St-1 still in the back of my head too.

Full paralysis of analysis engaged 😖

If I were fortunate enough to NOT have to worry about COLD, dry weather performance, I would go with one of the 215/45-16, pure summer MAX performance, 200 tread wear gummies, especially on a 16x8.

 

[Dpro]

Anyone add some negative camber to clear the fender lips, or is it rubbing the liners?

Since I am a big negative camber fan I will say if I have any problems I will not hesitate to to do that. Where I come from negative camber is pretty a given you want to do it anyways for handling so if it keeps tires from rubbing why not?

 

[green_henry]

Anyone add some negative camber to clear the fender lips, or is it rubbing the liners?

I have camber bolts and plates but they weren't necessary for clearance with 205s. I run the Contis but will be switching to RS4s next spring. The Contis have been great but the RS4s are better for the track.

 

[XanderMax]

Thanks for everyone's input, decided to go with BFG SC2 for a few reasons:

1. Availability
2. Local shop feedback
3. Price.
4. Contact patch width

1. Aside from the local Firestone dealer, I couldn't readily get the size I needed in the Indy

2. Literally every shop I called for quotes between the three contenders, all recommended SC2.

3. Firestone shop quoted me almost $600 out the door, even with the black Friday sale. I got America's tire to honor a $70 mail in rebate from a competitor, I paid $437.99 out the door for the SC2. (Don't think I did too shabby there. 😁)

4. Decided to go with the widest tread width option (8"). It's basically a 225/41r16. (Look at 225/45r16 direzza's - tread width of 7.9"!!) I went with a wider rim, tried the stretch already, so I figured I'd try a wider tire this time around.

Thanks again!!

 

[kevinatfms]

Interesting choices, I am about to run a set of Dekagrams as well and I am considering 2 tires Hankook Ventus RS4 and Federal RSR or RSR Pro all are 205/45. I do not look at the sectional width on the sidewall. I look at actual tread width and sectional width measured. Reason is some companies run them wide. Federal is famous for this. A 205 fits more like a 215 for instance.

...I should add all those tires listed are a step below the RE71 that is why I am looking at the Hankooks and the Feddys I want tires that are quite close to the performance of the RE71.

I can tell you first hand the RS-RR's run right at a 225 on my 205/50R15's. They are stupid wide. I have a picture somewhere that shows them next to a true 205 tire and they are easily 20mm wider.

 

[Dpro]

I can tell you first hand the RS-RR's run right at a 225 on my 205/50R15's. They are stupid wide. I have a picture somewhere that shows them next to a true 205 tire and they are easily 20mm wider.

Oh I know that about Feddy’s. It is why I am going to pick up a set of RSR’s in 205/45 knowing that they will be fine on a 8 inch wheel. My friend has the 235 RsRR’s on his 240sx and he said they look like 275.

 

[Dpro]

I went with 205/45 16 Federal RS Pro’s $490 out the door!