bullitt210

I currently have 215-40R16's on 16x7 wheels. I would like to get new tires with a taller sidewall. I have Eibach Pro-Kit springs on my car that only lowered it about 1.5"F /1.0"R. Will a 205-40R16 gain me anything or can I go up to a 50 series without rubbing?

Thanks in advance!!
-c

MrFatbooty

205/40-16 will have a smaller sidewall than 215/40-16.

The way tire sizes work is as follows:

The first number is called Section Width. This is measured in millimeters. A tire with a 215 section width is 215 mm wide. In reality it's a bit more complex than that and depends on things like rim width and inflation pressure, but that's the quoted spec. But yeah.

The second number is the Series. This is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the section width. A 215/40 tire has a sidewall height of 86 mm (40% or 215 = 86) and a 205/40 tire has a sidewall height of 82 mm.

The third number is obviously the wheel diameter.

If you want more sidewall then you will need to get either a 205/45-16 or 215/45-16 tire. 205/45 will definitely work fine, 215/45 might rub depending on what offset your wheels are.

bullitt210

Thanks for the reply, I am familiar with tire measurements, I was hoping that someone could tell me what they have used on their cars.
After calling TireRack.com, I have been advised to go with the 205/45R16 Yokohama Avid H4 for my type of driving. I was very pleased with their customer service.

Thanks,
-c

MrFatbooty

The Avid H4 is a pretty blah tire. Not what I would call a "high performance" model. What exactly did you tell tirerack your type of driving was?

If I was buying a 205/45-16 it would be the Pirelli PZero Nero, or perhaps the Yokohama AVS ES100.

bullitt210

Well, I am looking for a good long lasting tire. I do not race this car (not officially) and I am currently running on Road Hugger Rage tires. Contrary to popular belief, the Rage has been an impressive tire for what I am doing with it as cornring is incredible.
For a good long lasting, good wearing quiet running tire with good performance, Tirerack suggested three tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE910, the Yokohama Avid H4 and the Pirelli P7000 Super Sport. The Pirelli is a hard tire with good grip but fast wearing and loud, the Bridgestone is a very good tire, but for reasons that I can't remeber right now until I look back at the specs, I decided on the Avid H4's.