Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Which is the better route to take?

I have 205/55's on my car and they feel a hell of a lot better than the stock 205/60's... The ride is alittle more harsh, but it does handle better and gets better traction with the wider tire...

But for a reccomendation I would go with the 225/50's, wider is better for traction and handling, plus I think the wider tire would look great...

But either would be good... the 215/55 would be taller and throw off your speedo by about 2.5%, but one + is it would ride smoother, the - is it would effect your steering responce and overall handling...

Just my thoughts

You have lot of experience putting tires on cars in uncommon sizes, so maybe you should figure out how much difference it really is before you take that closest in stock tire and throw it on a customer's vehicle. Pull out your calculator.

215/50R16 = 1952.185675mm circumfrence
215/55R16 = 2019.729917mm circumfrence; 103.46% of original
205/55R15 = 1985.172398mm circumfrence; 101.69%
225/55R15 = 1983.601601mm circumfrence; 101.61%
In another thread I think it was a 215/50R17 recomendation which is 2031.982128mm in circumfrence and 104.09% of the original SVT tire size.

None of the tires suggested are too far off the OEM size, but the 215R55R16 is the most, and for the worse side for handling. And some have rubbing issues with 10mm larger diameter, 21 could cause even more issues.

Wider is (very marginally) better for lateral grip when cornering regardless of which wheels are powered. See: Reference #1 on slip angle and Reference #2. Although there are flaws in some of his comments, the fundemental is correct.

Another tire tech thread that is informative.

So much more is to be affected by picking the appropriate tire than the size, though. An S-03 in 215/55R16 will handle better and ride stiffer than a Kumho 712 in 225/50. I have some 205/60R14 tires that are 10x better than my other car's 215/45R17 in grip, handling, feel (steering response), and comfort. But credit that to some crappy OEM 17" tires and some very good 14" tires.

Aaron

Pancho1181 post:

Take a 215/55/16 and put it next to a 225/50/16.

THEY ARE THE SAME HEIGHT. I HAVE PLENTY OF THOSE AT WORK AND I PLAY AROUND WITH SIZES ALL DAY LONG. If my recommendation of 215/55/16 over 225/50/16 has some thought put into, so don't slam me cuz I know my sizes. And, if you think that wider is always better, then YOU ARE THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO QUIT GIVING OUT ADVICE ON TIRE SIZES. ANd no, 225/50's won't proved better handling over 205/55's being that the vehicle is so light. Don't try to apply ideas that work for a Mustang or a Camaro because we are talking about a Contour.

And lastly, if the guy is asking for advice then LET ME GIVE SOME ADVICE. I have facts to back up what I say, and I see set's of tires installed and removed because of improper fit/application every single day, I WORK IN A TIRE SHOP, so please do not lecture me.

I respect everybody in this board and I really dislike when people who oviously know less than me try to talk down on me. So please don't do it.
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so, you work for a tire shop ???? If you do, I would like to thank you for your input. Because, the lack of a factual base in your recommendations makes me look good

215/55-16 = 25.3"
205/55-16 = 24.9"
225/50-16 = 24.9"
215/50-16 = 24.5"

are they still the same diameter ????

Careful Luke...you might get bounced out of here like "he-who's-name-is-no-longer-spoken"

Not like we don't need expert help here or anything...

Originally posted by Luke@tirerack:

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Pancho1181 post:

Take a 215/55/16 and put it next to a 225/50/16.

THEY ARE THE SAME HEIGHT. I HAVE PLENTY OF THOSE AT WORK AND I PLAY AROUND WITH SIZES ALL DAY LONG. If my recommendation of 215/55/16 over 225/50/16 has some thought put into, so don't slam me cuz I know my sizes. And, if you think that wider is always better, then YOU ARE THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO QUIT GIVING OUT ADVICE ON TIRE SIZES. ANd no, 225/50's won't proved better handling over 205/55's being that the vehicle is so light. Don't try to apply ideas that work for a Mustang or a Camaro because we are talking about a Contour.

And lastly, if the guy is asking for advice then LET ME GIVE SOME ADVICE. I have facts to back up what I say, and I see set's of tires installed and removed because of improper fit/application every single day, I WORK IN A TIRE SHOP, so please do not lecture me.

I respect everybody in this board and I really dislike when people who oviously know less than me try to talk down on me. So please don't do it.
--------------------------------------------------------
so, you work for a tire shop ???? If you do, I would like to thank you for your input. Because, the lack of a factual base in your recommendations makes me look good

215/55-16 = 25.3"
205/55-16 = 24.9"
225/50-16 = 24.9"
215/50-16 = 24.5"

are they still the same diameter ????

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215/50/16 is .4 inch under OEM, 215/55/16 is over .4 inch from OEM... I wont even explain why i pointed this out.

Have you, Luke, ever mounted 215/55/16 on a stock SVT and had any complaints??? I seriously doubt that, because not only does it give better smoother ride, but it also helps a heck alot in handling.

Anyways, if you think "what you call" uncommon sizes are worse for vehicles then I wont go against you, that's your opinion and I don't know what you base it on. However, I have installed ALOT of this sets on Mystiques and Contours and I always find my customers happy and with even wear across their thread, so, that's what I'm basing MY OPINION on.

Stick with stock size for the 2000 SVT. All things considered, the stock size is safest for the speedo issues and overall fit.

OEM size for a 2000 SVT is 215/50R16. A 215/55R16 tire is 0.8" larger in diameter, not 0.4". A 215/55R16 compared to a 215/50R16 will provide a slight decrease in steering response and ultimate grip. Will it be noticeable? Yes to some, no to others.

I think I figured it out. You mean you have fitted 215/55R15 vs the OEM 205/60R15 tires than many Mystiques and Contours come with. Only SVT Contours come with 16" rims, which are largely less common. Based on that assumption:

205/60R15 = 24.7" diameter
215/55R15 = 24.3" diameter

There is the 0.4" difference that you probably installed on many Contiques. I would probably recommend a similar size for those running the 15" factory rims.

My 98 SVT came with 205/55/16's.

My next set was 215/50. They made my speedo read about 5 mph too high at 60-70 mph.

next set was 225/50. My speedo is back to normal and reads perfect. Only small rubbing issue on the back inner liners, but my car was built before they revised them.

You be the judge

I recommend the 225's

Originally posted by fst4dr:

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My 98 SVT came with 205/55/16's.

My next set was 215/50. They made my speedo read about 5 mph too high at 60-70 mph.

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According to the handy dandy tire size calculators available on the internet, that would indicate you speedo was already off. Going from 205's to 215's should make you only 1mph off.

As far as

In reply to:

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215/50/16 is .4 inch under OEM, 215/55/16 is over .4 inch from OEM... I wont even explain why i pointed this out.

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You're right, you probably won't explain this, because as APT said, 215/50/16 is OEM, so 215/50/16 is exactly .0 off.

Originally posted by pancho1181:

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Have you, Luke, ever mounted 215/55/16 on a stock SVT and had any complaints??? I seriously doubt that, because not only does it give better smoother ride, but it also helps a heck alot in handling.

Anyways, if you think "what you call" uncommon sizes are worse for vehicles then I wont go against you, that's your opinion and I don't know what you base it on. However, I have installed ALOT of this sets on Mystiques and Contours and I always find my customers happy and with even wear across their thread, so, that's what I'm basing MY OPINION on.

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I would just like to mention that the surface area of a tire that touches the road is the TREAD area not the THREAD area. Threads are used in sewing and internet terminology

and what's with the "name never to be mentioned again"