Best tyre width for wet weather conditions.

[JB21]

Just about to take the plunge on a set of Uniroyal's new Rainsport 5's for my FL wheels but cant decide on the rear tyre width. Fronts will be 195/50/15. There only £19 difference between 205-225 (all different side wall profiles) so price isn't a factor. Tyres will be used on the road but mostly for damp/wet track days.

Doing a bit of reading online states your better with a narrower tyre in wet conditions.

Thoughts?

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[Carolyn]

Yes, I think you're right about less tyre for the wet.  However, if you want to keep the manufacturer's stagger (which does seem to work well for the car), then perhaps 215 rear would be a good compromise?

I reckon 225 is just too fat for the weight of the car, regardless of road conditions.  But each to their own!!

[JB21]

Yes, I think you're right about less tyre for the wet.  However, if you want to keep the manufacturer's stagger (which does seem to work well for the car), then perhaps 215 rear would be a good compromise?

I reckon 225 is just too fat for the weight of the car, regardless of road conditions.  But each to their own!!

I agree the 215 is a good compromise, it's just the 55 profile putting me off.

[Carolyn]

Ah -hadn't noticed the profile.  That would put me off too.  Ideally it should be 45.

Have you considered Nankang NS20? I run them and they are super in the wet (and in the dry!), although they don't claim to be.

I'm pretty sure you can get 195/50 and 215/45.... I'm running 195/55 at the front, but that's to stop my stage 2 bumper from grounding out.

[Gaz mr-s]

If the Rainsport 5 doesn't have stiffer sidewalls than previous incarnations, I'd look for a different tyre. They dull the feedback through the steering.

[JB21]

If the Rainsport 5 doesn't have stiffer sidewalls than previous incarnations, I'd look for a different tyre. They dull the feedback through the steering.

That's the main area they have improved plus reduced wear.

[Gaz mr-s]

Ok, fair enough. I've bought the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 in the last 18 months because of test report results/versus cost....no brainer...not looked at the new Rainsport though.

[JB21]

Going for 205/50/16 as they are the closest circumference to the 225/45/16 that are on there now.

[1979scotte]

I did not like 205 on the front at all. Maybe in a square setup but not with staggered.

That was with AD08R.

I prefer pfl tyre sizes more fun.

[JB21]

I did not like 205 on the front at all. Maybe in a square setup but not with staggered.

That was with AD08R.

I prefer pfl tyre sizes more fun.

205 will be at the rear, 195 front.

[s12vea]

2254016 or 2254516 work well on stock FL wheels

I have Rainsport 3 on mine they are great tyres

[1979scotte]

I did not like 205 on the front at all. Maybe in a square setup but not with staggered.

That was with AD08R.

I prefer pfl tyre sizes more fun.

205 will be at the rear, 195 front.

Oops my bad.

Wonder if that will be prone to too much understeer?

[JB21]

I did not like 205 on the front at all. Maybe in a square setup but not with staggered.

That was with AD08R.

I prefer pfl tyre sizes more fun.

205 will be at the rear, 195 front.

Oops my bad.

Wonder if that will be prone to too much understeer?

How come? I run 195 on the front now without understeer. You thinking the 205 on the rear will cause understeer? You'd think a narrower rear tyre would induce oversteer.

[1979scotte]

I did not like 205 on the front at all. Maybe in a square setup but not with staggered.

That was with AD08R.

I prefer pfl tyre sizes more fun.

205 will be at the rear, 195 front.

Oops my bad.

Wonder if that will be prone to too much understeer?

How come? I run 195 on the front now without understeer. You thinking the 205 on the rear will cause understeer? You'd think a narrower rear tyre would induce oversteer.

I'm really not having a good day.

[james_ly]

I prefer the car on 205 rears, I think the car is faster on 215 (even though more understeer may make it feel slower), but I don't care about speed.

[JB21]

I prefer the car on 205 rears, I think the car is faster on 215 (even though more understeer may make it feel slower), but I don't care about speed.

So you run 195 front and 205 rear?

Also what tyres?

[james_ly]

I prefer the car on 205 rears, I think the car is faster on 215 (even though more understeer may make it feel slower), but I don't care about speed.

So you run 195 front and 205 rear?

Also what tyres?

185/205 (PFL defaults)
Currently I have Faulken something and Toyo T1R. I'm sure there's better tyres out there.

[moredun]

The Green pfl MR2 on the web-page has 16" wheels all round, with Toyo Proxies
Front 205
Rear  225

This setup is far better than the standard of:

15" wheels all round, again Toyo Proxies tyres
Front 185
Rear 205

The car is driven all year round including snow and ice and the odd sunny day in Scotland ....

Remember, both setups are within Toyota's specs -)



 

[1979scotte]

Couldn't disagree more.
Didn't like 205 up front. Just felt wrong.
And after having OEM yoko T1r and AD08R in different sizes both pre and post fl the most fun to be had imho is 185 205 AD08R thus us obviously based on my circumstances which is weekend car based in the South where it doesn't get too cold.

[moredun]

@1979scotte My car is setup for damp/wet roads, so bigger footprint is a must if I want to keep the car on the road, you can't have fun if the car is in a ditch ...
With the 205's on the rear, it was way to easy to fishtail the rear when pulling away, although fun

[1979scotte]

@1979scotte My car is setup for damp/wet roads, so bigger footprint is a must if I want to keep the car on the road, you can't have fun if the car is in a ditch ...
With the 205's on the rear, it was way to easy to fishtail the rear when pulling away, although fun

Try rainsports or winter and summer tyres. They may offer more grip almost all tyres offer more insight than proxies.

All my 2s have had far more power than stock. My current steed is a Supercharged V6 and that's on 185 205. It does what it's told in the dry. Wet is a different story. Never had a problem in a stock roadster with good quality tyres and correct pressures.

Obviously it's all down to personal taste but for me 205 on the front dulls it and makes steering heavy.
Bit like fitting 17s.