bigger tyres on standard rims

[funkimic]

ive had my 1.8 valver 3 weeks now and im happy with it

One thing ive noticed is that at in 1st gear 4500>6500revs and the end of 2nd i somwtimes get wheelspin which makes the car a bit twitchy on some roads. im happy with the phase 2 alloys on at the min and was just wondering if i can put bigger tyres on em.

195 50 r15 or 195 55 r15 is what im thinking about. will these be safe on the standard rims?? the car is not lowered at all.

ive also noticed from the paperwork with the car it went in to renault with a noise that was diagnosed as both front springs broken and a shock broke and theres no paperwork to say it was sorted out. the handling seems fine and it got through the mot last year so it must have been fixed right?

any help appreciated cheers mike

 

[BenR]

Just pop your head under the wing adn have a look, a rattle over bumps would suggest that it want fixed, but im gusing it would be fixed as it wouldnt have an MOT.

most people run 195/50/15 tyres now as they are more avaiable and cheaper than the 185s. You wont have a problem and the car handles better on them.

 

[Ben H]

I run 195/50/15 tyres all round on standard refurbd rims. Much cheaper than the 185/55 tyres too.

 

[ivegota16v]

i run the orginal 185/55/ 15 to keep the car as intended, the grip is fantastic much better than the 195/50/15 i used to have on my 205 gti..........

P-zeros on the back (dont make them in this size anymore!) and new Eagle F1s at the front

 

[Tom_16v]

195/50s do improve grip/handling noticeably so its well worth changing. Also most 195/50s are cheaper.

You can get Toyo T1-S Proxes (195/50/15) for £29.40 from http://www.mytyres.netwww.mytyres.net

Also, how much tread have you got left on your tyres at the moment?

I had about 3mm left on my Yokos when I changed and I was much happier, didnt think grip would improve as much as it did!

 

[funkimic]

theres about 3mm on the fronts and the rears arent that old. i was gonna switch em round so they all wear out the same time then maybe swap em for the bigger ones. can you have 195s on front and 185s on back or vice versa??

 

[Mikey16vClio]

Quote: Originally posted by Tom_16v on 08 April 2003


195/50s do improve grip/handling noticeably so its well worth changing. Also most 195/50s are cheaper.

Im not sure about this as WHY would Reno have put 185/55s on if a more common & mass produced size was better?

I trust Reno over Tom but i can see that maybe the 185s are better for roundabouts/cornering in the wet, etc. whereas the 195s are better for faster cornering in the dry or something along those lines anyway.

 

[Tom_16v]

Quote: Originally posted by Mikey16vClio on 08 April 2003

Quote: Originally posted by Tom_16v on 08 April 2003


195/50s do improve grip/handling noticeably so its well worth changing. Also most 195/50s are cheaper.

Im not sure about this as WHY would Reno have put 185/55s on if a more common & mass produced size was better?

I trust Reno over Tom but i can see that maybe the 185s are better for roundabouts/cornering in the wet, etc. whereas the 195s are better for faster cornering in the dry or something along those lines anyway.

This is my opinion, and Im pretty sure most people would agree. Also, when the 16v came out in 1991, 185/55s were probably cheaper than 195/50s so thatd be why. Feel free to correct me anyone!

 

[BenR]

When the 16Vs came out 185s were just a mre common size, but 195s do work better. No manufacturer really botheres making the 185s anymore and if they do, dont put any real effort into it.

185s wont give you any handling advantages over 195s......185s wont give you any extra grip or nimbleness.........

 

[Fred@BTM]

std tyres on dynamiques are 185/55 15s

 

[BenR]

performance car?

 

[Mikey16vClio]

Ive pretty hightened senses to any changes i feel in my car so im positive i could tell the difference, but if it is better or not im not sure.

Nimbleness is most likely to be affected as thats what happens with 195/45/16s so shouldnt be much different for 195/50/15s IMO.

Dont Reno set original suspension georomety to these size tyres?

Im getting coilovers soon (hopefully) so its probably different for 195 tyres then.

It wont make that much of a difference i agree, but i can tell, trust me.

 

[Steveold]

Im telling you that 195-50-15s have more grip round roundabouts.... On what scientific facts are you saying that 185-55-15s have more grip eh?

 

[Mikey16vClio]

Fu*kin ask the 16v designer!

Ur probably right, but im telling you theres a reason for everything, so there must be 1 for the 16v having 185 standard tyres, if its purely costs (which i doubt) then ill get 195s next time i need new tyres for my phase 2 alloys!

Does this satisfy u Steve?

 

[McBunny]

its the same reason bmw decided to give their cars an odd tire size years ago they are just been difficult

a wider tyre width gives more grip as it increases with larger contact area on the ground but will reduce the grip in the wet. if you look at a rally car they have wide tyres for tarmac and very thin tyres for snow also if you go for a wider cross section you have to reduce the side profile and that inturn increases cornering ability by reducing tyre wall flex as the tyre wall is shorter

 

[Mikey16vClio]

Could be seen as an increased tendency to slide under cornering though.

Sorry, just like being akward.

 

[McBunny]

nah it would slide less unless it was wet

 

[BenR]

If you wanna be difficult go out and get 185s......your mind seems set so stop askin.

Most of use use 195s........if you can get round any track/roundabout faster than me, ill concede.

 

[McBunny]

why do you think things like lambos use such wide rear tyres ???? and F1 cars why do you think slicks were banned ??? because they had too much grip so by adding groves you drop the surface area in contact with the road so lessening grip and why do you think the f1 wet tyres have all those blocks on them to reduce surface area in contact with road and to displace water but also the little blocks move to generate heat

 

[Mikey16vClio]

I know all this lads & agree, i will get some 195s when i need some new 1s.

Im expecting slight reduction in body roll, quicker cornering at higher speeds & it being slightly more likely to slide in the wet.plus heavier steering, but the 50 side wall will still not look as low profile as id like.

Cheers, Michael.

 

[BenR]

the 185/55s look more tractor like......

 

[ivegota16v]

mine dont look like tractors............

and handle like a dream!