195's or 205's???

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:19 pm

Ive ordered some Yokohama S-Drives to go on rims 15x6.5. I ordered 205/50R15 but havent paid so i can change size if i wish. Ive got this weird feeling that i should be going 195's but i dont know why. Im looking for advice whether 195's or 205's would be the way to go. What are peoples experiences with them? Handling comparisons? Any compromises?

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:25 pm

I have 205......but thats because The tyre i have is not avail in 195.

Handling wise......I can't recall. It must be at least 3.5 years since i've had 195's

But i'd stick to 195. If i could. Just because its lighter & closer to original size.

If you want to look tough......get the 205's

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:51 pm

You should have 195's if you're going for a 50 profile

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:08 am

195/50 15\" will be the same rolling diameter as your original 185/60 14\".

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:47 pm

I've got 205s. I don't think the extra width gives any benefits. 195s would be better.

sabretooth · Postby **sabretooth** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:46 pm

I have 7\" wide rims, so I'm going 205/50/R15.

kula · Postby **kula** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:28 pm

double trouble

kula · Postby **kula** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:29 pm

i run 195s on 8inch wide wheels.
probly wider than 205s on 6inchers.

deez · Postby **deez** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:47 pm

I'd go 195's too....and stretch them like Kula on 7 or 8 inchers (wider rims)

Right now I've got 205's on 7 inchers, but after I made that purchase I received feedback from various people that wider tyres are inferior in the wet and tend to aquaplane more too. Can someone confirm that?

sabretooth · Postby **sabretooth** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:02 pm

How is a larger contact patch (regardless of how minor) inferior, short of poor tyre design being unable to properly disperse water? That question asked though, I went with 205s because of the rolling diameter and looks, as I personally felt that 195s looked too skinny on my rims. If not for that, I'd have gone for the cheaper 195s.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:48 pm

I don't think you actually get a larger contact patch with a 205/50 over a 195/50. There's not enough weight in an MX5 to do that. You just get a different shaped patch instead, plus a little bit of additional tyre weight, plus some additional sidewall height and flex.

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:50 pm

Interesting point: The S-Drive is cheaper in the 205 compared to the 195. $10-$15 difference. How come?

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:25 pm

195's look phat on 7 inch rims

deez · Postby **deez** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 1:33 am

Adam_NAclubman wrote:195's look phat on 7 inch rims

Wish I went 195....always next tyre change

Gazbo · Postby **Gazbo** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 11:15 am

manga_blue wrote:I don't think you actually get a larger contact patch with a 205/50 over a 195/50. There's not enough weight in an MX5 to do that. You just get a different shaped patch instead, plus a little bit of additional tyre weight, plus some additional sidewall height and flex.

This is true. Have a look at this site for a good explanation:
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

(Actually page 2 http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html deals with tyre width)