Ive got stock 5-spoke SE rims and may be interested in a bit taller tires than the stock 215 55 16 on there now. I may have totally bad taste but I'd like the ride to be a bit taller. I did something similar with my 3rd gen and liked the results. Stock suspension/automatic. The options I'm seeing are..........

225 55 16 Raises tire diameter 0.4" over stock and speedo 60mph = 61mph

215 60 16 Raises tire diameter 0.9" over stock and speedo 60mph = 62mph

225 60 16 Raises tire diameter 1.3" over stock and speedo 60mph = 63mph

Suggestions? other options? anyone tried it?

 

I am running 225/ 60/ 16 on my baby. My car still has it's original stock suspension setup. The only things i notice are that

1) looks better since the tires fill up more space
2) Cornering is a little worse since there is now more tire roll affect
3) My speedo is off by 3 but since i have escort gps radar...w/speedo... who freaking cares.
4) There is no way in hell that i will get curb rash ever again if i keep these tires on. They are noticable wider on that 16 inch rim.

They were also a set that my dad bought and had laying around.

With all that said, I don't think my set up is bad or dangerous in the least. Good Luck!

 

I am considering the same thing but the feedback I recieved is that the stock size 215/55-16 are better in cornering better than the larger sizes. I also have concerns about MPG and rolling resistance through deep snow with the wider tires. I will probably go with the stock size. See the Tires and wheels forum for more information.

 

not looking at my tires but IIRC i have 215/60/16 potenza G009s on my stock SE rims.. they handle great in bad weather.. and Woopdie Doo if my milage is a little off. i got a better deal on the tires if i went that size.. guess it was a more common size at the time.. 17k miles on them and they are still great. i dont feal like it has taken that much away from the performance (my bad o2 sensors and Knock sensor does that for me heh)

 

You could always throw some 22's on there if you like to ride high!!!!!

 

225 60 16

 

this is a good question i think

if not caring about looks would getting 225 55 16 tires be best for performace (ie: control/stability/cornering) ?

would there be any issues with the tires being this wide ?

 

Anything wider that 215 is going to have a good bit of flex on a 6.5" wheel.

 

i run 225/55/16, the 60 series are just too tall, its more of a luxury tire than the 55 series.

 

If you look in the "spec" section at www.tirerack.com they show the wheel width range allowed for your tire size. the biggest problem I had with 225/50s was the increased 4x4 look with the shorter tires.

 

I have 225/55R16 tires. After comparing possible sizes this was the best option for me considering the look, my ride height, and the type of tire I wanted.

 

Anyone got any pics of stock suspension, stock wheels and non-stock tires? I'd like to get a visual before I drop $$$ on something that is gonna look bad.
Especially 225 55 16 or 215 60 16 or 225 60 16.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

^ so you are only looking to improve the look ? not performance is that correct ?

 

Are you asking me?

 

when i got my car it had 225/60R16's on them and it looked pretty good. did fine in the snow and everything. i then bought 225/50R16's and it looked horrible until i lowered it 2 inches. i'm happy with both. but if you won't be lowering your car then 225/60R16's will be really good and fill out your wheel wells nicely!

 

Andrei,

Correct. My main goal is to improve the look, but obviously I don't wanna do anything unsafe or anything that would make a big difference in handling or driveability. I saw a 4th gen the other day that is EXACTLY what I want, but couldn't get through traffic to get a better look. I would love to see side view pics if anyone has them.

Thanks

 

mbandi, no sorry i was asking maximagasm hense the little arrow pointing up to his post, next time i'll use the user name to be more specific ;-)

yeah pics would be awesome, hopefully from the same users who claim in this very thread to have those or similar sizes of tires on their cars

 

When i had 225 60 16 it didnt look right (too tall). So i went with 225 55 16 and it handled better than the 225 60 16.

 

I've got 215 55 16 and i think they have a little too much space in the wheel wells, but i was also worried that if i got the 215 60 16's that it might look goofy because of too much ground clearance. I've never seen 60's on a max though, so i wouldn't really know.

 

My car with 215 60 16s stock suspension with stock SE rims

 

hmm that DOES look different, and to thnk of it, just half a centimetre increase

What difference in dricing have you noticed ?

 

really haven't noticed much.. other than a slightly softer ride on our bad streets... cracks and filled in pot holes.... but in handling the tires are great tires and grip real well and i drive it hard some times...

i like the look of them the way they are.. if i ever lower it i will switch back or get different rims

 

I think i'm going to get stock size winter tires. Just got the car and the snow hit HARD...