MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: Alex Knight on February 11, 2021, 00:13

Title: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Alex Knight on February 11, 2021, 00:13
Hi all,

I'm thinking of changing my wheels soonish (going for some Enkei RPF1), and I'm stuck on deciding between 15" or 16" (I don't want staggered figment front to rear, so don't say both!).

15" are cheaper, lighter, and tyres are cheaper.

16" have a better tyre selection if I want to go for a 225 tyre, and look better IMHO.

Would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: pistol pete on February 11, 2021, 01:27
Hi Alex..
I am in the same predicament at the moment.
I have 15s at the moment, 2 sets one with R888rs, the other with A052s.
But with making it more road going, tyres at 225 is a nightmare, basically all i can have is the new Toyo proxies..

Track, stick with 15s and get some A052s

I'd like 16s but again the tyre choice isnt great now untill you get up to 17s at 225, because new car all have huge wheels!!!
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: pistol pete on February 11, 2021, 01:33
must admit even 225 16 choices are pretty limited for anything decent, you can get some pilot sport 4s but then you can't get them in a 205 for up front
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: JB21 on February 11, 2021, 06:32
15s for go, 16s for show 👍
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: 1979scotte on February 11, 2021, 06:36
On road wider tyres don't make it more fun.
I have driven pfl and fl with different sized tyres and prefer 15s with pfl sizes.

On track I think I'd still prefer 15 if you can get the right rubber.
At the end of the day the wheels will be lighter as will the tyres and they'll be cheaper.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Gaz mr-s on February 11, 2021, 10:48
Quote from: pistol pete on February 11, 2021, 01:27But with making it more road going, tyres at 225 is a nightmare, basically all i can have is the new Toyo proxies..

Hankook K125 & Falken ZE310 are available in 225/50/16.  45% aspect ratio availability very low.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: tets on February 11, 2021, 19:08
I swore I was sticking with 15's all round with R888's / Nankangs etc for dry and rainsports for wet - Got the rainsports in PFL sizes and also got a set of conti premium 2's on 15's but 205 all round.
Then started reading about the Extreme VR2's in soft compound for the hills and got a set of FL rears as the 205's are only available in 16"
Still can't really decide so good luck with your choice as mine seems to be based on available tyres regardless of wanting to stick with 15's!
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Alex Knight on February 11, 2021, 21:00
Thanks everyone for your replies.

I've had a good old poke around on the camskill website, and it seems that 16" tyre choice is in fact extremely limited, so I'm going to stick with 15s.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Topdownman on February 11, 2021, 22:05
I like the sound of these tyres as they get good reviews from what I can see;

https://www.zestino.eu/en/gredge-07rs/?mode=grid&limit=24&sort=popular&max=250&min=0&sort=popular&brand=0&filter%5B%5D=276812&filter%5B%5D=276815

Someone on here also has a set and rates them highly. Only one option though, 195 front and 205 rear or square in either I suppose. I am hoping they would be similar performance as the old AD08R as the replacement RS are a disappointment to me as they dont have the same grip.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: pistol pete on February 11, 2021, 22:40
Quote from: Alex Knight on February 11, 2021, 21:00Thanks everyone for your replies.

I've had a good old poke around on the camskill website, and it seems that 16" tyre choice is in fact extremely limited, so I'm going to stick with 15s.

This is exactly what I found, even 225 15 is hard to find in track tires, I run 8 inch wide rears, and dailying track tires isn't ideal!
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Beachbum957 on February 12, 2021, 12:06
We have run 16" all around for many years.  At one time tire choices were pretty good, but now are very limited, especially in the US where we are.  We may have to go back to 15" or up to 17" in the rear.  If you are buying all new wheels, go with the 15"
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: McMr2 on February 12, 2021, 19:32
I'll add to that. Tyre choice very limited in 16, especially if you're trying to keep the same brand and some stagger.

I'm planning to go back to the stock 15&16 once I get the wheels refurbished, much preferred how the car drove.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: JB21 on February 12, 2021, 19:40
Nankang AR1 and Yokohama A050 are in staggered sizes 15/16, 195/205 15" - 225 16"
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: pistol pete on February 12, 2021, 22:24
I think these sizes have dried up due to amount of cars now days coming with silly size wheels..
Sell old cars out there with small wide fat wheels
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Ardent on February 12, 2021, 22:46
edit
wrong thread
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: McMr2 on February 13, 2021, 15:03
Quote from: JB21 on February 12, 2021, 19:40Nankang AR1 and Yokohama A050 are in staggered sizes 15/16, 195/205 15" - 225 16"

Sorry, meant if you're on 16s all round.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: m1tch on February 16, 2021, 08:46
I am running 15x7 all round, 195 front, 225 rear.
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: Alex Knight on February 16, 2021, 09:30
Quote from: m1tch on February 16, 2021, 08:46I am running 15x7 all round, 195 front, 225 rear.

Presume no clearance issues with the 225s?

What profile front and rear and which tyres do you run?
Title: Re: New Wheels 15” or 16”?
Post by: JB21 on February 16, 2021, 09:38
Quote from: m1tch on February 16, 2021, 08:46I am running 15x7 all round, 195 front, 225 rear.

Same here. 195/50/15 - 225/45/15