Tire gurus plz chime in!

Shift518 Automotive
1

The car- 2009 subaru impreza 2.5i premium with 16" wheels currently running the stock 205/55/16 tires. Come spring I would like to make this car handle more crisp with a lot less body roll, and just be all around more fun to drive. The car will NEVER see a track or auto-x event as it is purely a good daily driver. So now my question is this, Which size tire and wheel package would you choose and why? I’m not really into the whole bling thing anymore or spending huge dollars on wheels because i’m sure my wife will curb atleast one this summer.
So here are the options, please keep in mind this will only be to attack my ride to and from work and any weekend trips that my wife and I take.

Stock tire size-205/55/16

Possible other sizes that are all very close to the overall diameter of the stocker size.

225/50/16- could fit on stock wheels thus making it a lot cheaper with tons of options for great tires.

225/45/17- more money and would require me to buy new wheels.

225/40/18- same as above^

So basically it’s this, with looks aside, what would bring me the best dollar to fun ratio out of 16-17-18" wheels and still handle very well. Thanks in advance.

2

I don’t know if Kosei K1s come in your lug pattern (5x100 right?) but for a nice looking (subjective, I know…) wheel that is light, strong, and doesn’t break the bank it’s a good choice if you can find it in your size. I know they have them in 16s and also 17s.

As for tires, I have had experience with the Falken Azenis and Advan A046s… Both pretty aggressive tires, sticky, etc, not very good in rain, and they wear relatively fast (treadwear rating is 200 or lower!) - basically a max/high performance summer tire. Probably NOT what you are looking for…

What you are looking for is probably something that lasts longer and has good characteristics in the wet too, not just dry.

I have Sumitomo HTRZ IIIs now in 225/45R17, but have only put less than 800 miles on them. So far, I’m pretty happy with the level of grip, road noise, and rain handling has been pretty good as well. I’m not a very aggressive driver but do like to take corners at above average speeds once in awhile… Tried that with these tires and they are good for that. Can’t say anything about being on a track with them, but that’s not in the cards for you either it seems…

A set of tires like this new can be had for $400 or less, not bad in this size and even less I’m sure for 16s.

Go to Tire Rack and just pick a tire that is like somewhere in between all season and performance… Then read a bunch of reviews and gauge it against what matters most to you. It’s usually pretty helpful information.

As for buying, canvas these three places:

http://www.tires-easy.com/

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

http://www.tirerack.com/

You may wanna check Craigslist as well, sometimes people buy the wrong size, etc and have a brand new set of tires that you are looking for and will dump them for less $ than a whole set.

That’s what I did and ended up with a set of brand new HTRZ IIIs for less than $300, although I had to drive about 1.5 hrs out to get them…

3

Thank you for your VERY informative post. I knew after i typed my OP up that I didn’t say what i really needed/wanted to say in it. One of my last cars i had i think 5 different wheel/tire combos on it over my 2 year ownership with sizes ranging from 17-18-19" with multiple offsets and tire sizes to fit flush/tuck blah blah… With that said, and i should have made it more clear in my OP I’m looking for peoples thoughts on basically different sidewalls heights between the 16-18" tires. I know a better ride will be had on a 16" wheel versus a rubberband on a 20" wheel. Each tire/wheel size will have their pro-cons for everyday driving and i’m just trying to figure out what is best suited for me.

FYI i live on tirerack and the other wheel/tire sites hahahha

4

Is your car 5x100 or 5x114.3?

5

i dont think tires alone will really help your body roll issue. What kind of price range are you looking at. i can check some wheel packages for you.

6

5x100, and i DEF know tires will alone will not cure my body roll problems. I’m looking to pick up a set of front and rear sway bars over the winter to help in that area. For whatever reasons, subaru didn’t even put a RSB on the 2.5i imprezas HA!

7

Thank you, but as of right now i’m leaning towards the 225/50/16 and using my stock wheels. This way i can keep a decent sidewall and have somewhat of a smooth ride and gain a little bit of tire width.

8

any brands or particular tire you are looking for.

9

not really sure yet. I love the rt-615, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec,Kumho Ecsta SPT, Kumho Ecsta XS. But i think i may need to go with a tire that will last a bit longer and maybe isn’t so hardcore.

10

I would recommend doing 225/45/17; Here is my logic:

  1. Your current stock wheel is likely to be heavy and increasing tire width may exceed the recommended 225 tire’s profile due to the stock rim that could be too narrow. Furthermore, putting the wider tire on will increase your unsprung due to a heavier tire than the 205.

  2. If budget allows, you can get a new set of 17" that is probably lighter than the stock 16" and you can choose the correct rim width that is good for the 225 profile. You will likely save on unsprung with a 225/45-17" on a lighter wheel over the 225/50-16" on stock wheel. In other words, your upgrade will not only made your car look better, your car will also have an actual performance gain due to lower unsprung. Two birds with one stone.

Enjoy! :thumbup

P.S. Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is a great tire.

11

Just adding a wider tire on the same wheel wont give you the result you want. If you want crisper handling with less tire roll (none of this has anything to do with body roll) you need to reduce your sidewall height, pick a tire model with a stiffer sidewall, or both.

12

My stock wheels weigh 20.2 lbs each, and according to the tire manufacturers “safe” recommendations i should fit just fine. The new, wider tires i have been looking at are roughly 3-4lbs heavier per tire than my stock tires.

13

Both the stock size and the wider 16" size have identical sidewall heights. The more i think about it the more I’m beginning to think i just want to stick with my stock wheels and just get a stiffer sidewalled tire like you said. Is there any ratings to look for that will show which one is stiffer than another??

14

Sadly no, autocrosser reviews of tires are the best way to judge before buying, but you can imagine how subjective it is. Almost any performance tire, especially quality ones will have a stiffer sidewall than all seasons. Bridgestone has been known to be stiffer than average and makes a great tire. Either way, the difference isnt like a set of coilovers, its a small change.

Also, sticking a wider tire on a wheel with a given sidewall height will increase tire roll, not reduce it. Those euro kids and their “stretch” look were onto something before they took it too far…

15

I hear ya, i just really want a little bit more of a meaty tire on there without making my car stand out. I need my car to stay visually “near” stock and my wife sometimes take the car to work and other functions and needs to be professional still even though I’m totally immature :slight_smile:

16

Growin up sucks eh? :thumbup

17

Sure does man, At least she still like cars. She wants me to get her 3000k hids for her tsx.
Thanks for your help man.

18

I didn’t realize you were a Subaru owner? Welcome to the club!
Unfortunately mine is in the shop with a blown head gasket :-/

19

Whats up man? yeah i got this thing in July. Its a great little car but i just want to make it my own now, slowly but surely. Sucks to hear about the head gasket, hope you get it back soon.

20

225/45/18 - Kumho Ecsta SPT for Summer and Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 for winter. Done deal.

Best handling I’ve ever had in any season. Tires stick to the road like glue. I’ve taken some of the ramps (Exit 24 tolls going to I-87S/Exit 7 Ramps going to I-87S) at probably over 75mph or more and don’t even hear my tires squeel.

Not to mention the back roads. Then again, I am lowered and have strut bars front and back. That helps in the rolls, but as far as tires go, I’m a Kumho Ecsta SPT purchaser for as long as they are made.