14" Tyre Help

Hi All,

I picked up a set of 14"  6.5J ET35 BBS RZ a few months back. Im now trying to figure out what the best tyre size to put on and its proving to be a bit of a nightmare.

I don't want a stretch, but I don't want a huge sidewall. The car is mainly driven at stupidly high speeds over mountain roads so keeping the handling is priority.
She  is rarely driven in wet conditions so wet performance doesn't matter all that much.

At a guess, the car is lowered 40-50mm, The current set up is 195/45/15 ET25

I don't want to buy 4tyres for them to end up rubbing and then im stuck with them!

Any help is much appreciated!

Cheers Lads

If you 195/55/14 turn you would effectively lower the car another 2.5 MM and taking the tyre 2.5 MM further away from the arch. This is because the tyre will be 20mm larger in diameter going on a 25mm smaller rim.

Be carful as my drive has a bump and I made the a similar swap to gain just enough to get over it. Handling should not be too different over the two different sizes may even improve with a little sidewall flex on the corners to allow the car to bed a little more in the road rather than sliding over the top surface.

Double check with the tyre supplier as my maths and logic may be out.


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Have to say, I don't really grasp that at all, perhaps it makes more sense to op.

Side wall depth is the middle number in MM. Therefore a 55 is 10 MM larger on the radius than a 45 tyre (20mm diameter). The wheel is 25.4 MM smaller in diameter and my maths carried on from there.

That's assuming I'm correct been about 20 years since I worked in a garage left it behind for engineering sales. . Happy is someone else knows better or can correct my theory so I can apply to my own probe.


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Why is the wheel smaller? where does that come from?

Current set up says 15


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Apologies, I missed that bit, now I know what you are saying.

ahhh that makes a little bit more sense alright!

So it can be a combination of the offset and the sidewall that will determine whether it sits into the arch or pokes out a bit.

Thanks for the help!

Offset is separate. This will determine a little bit the tuck under the arch with the suspension height. Offset will be determined by the wheel offset, spacers/adapters if fitted and tyre width. I alley preference a Straight tyre wall (not bulging out) as the reduces side wall flex and improved handling although a little bit can sometimes help by having wider grip. So if offset is too much on the wheel then dropping to 185 tyre may give you just enough to compensate for any wheel arch rubbing or just line them up with the side of the car. Hope this helps.


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I run both 185/55 and 185/50 R14's on my mk1.

The 185/55's are rainsports and the sidewall looks a lot bigger than the 185/50 contisportcontacts, far more than you'd expect that 5% difference in aspect ratio to make.

For 'spirited' driving I'd recommend 185/50 R14's..



Thats 185/50 r14 on a 7 x 14 on the front and a 195/45 r14 on a 8 x 14 on the rear…

Chris81GTI said

 The car is mainly driven at stupidly high speeds over mountain roads so keeping the handling is priority.
She  is rarely driven in wet conditions so wet performance doesn't matter all that much.

as this part is the bit that seems to be the most important. theres only one type of tyre to buy, road legal slicks. they won't last long but the best descision i made.
look at toyo proxie r888 or i think it maybe replaced with r888r

Chris81GTI said

I don't want a huge sidewall

That would rule out 185/60 R14 R888's then



Shame you're near mountains as it means you're no where near me as these are for sale (selling all my 14" wheels due to moving to 15" and 288 brakes)

Thanks for all the feedback lads, I had no idea there were so many different things to take into consideration. I should have bought wheels with tyres and avoided all this!!!

Funny you should mention the 888's, I had my mind made up on getting these until a friend filled me in about the height of the sidewall. I don't think the gamble is worth it if they don't fit!
I think I am leaning towards 185/50 but there isn't too many premium brand options out there, most seem to be Chinese unknowns.

If all else fails the 185/55 would most likely do the job. There does seem to be a fair few decent makes in this size and the change to the rolling radius is less than the 185/50.

addicted – there might be a little bit of water between us too, Im in Ireland     I don't suppose you ordered your 185/50's online?

Cheers guy



 

Give Yokohama A539's a try, they're a premium tyre that you can get in 185/50/14!



Hope this helps.


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Was just about to say the same as Mike 😁

The maxxis ma-z1 is an awesome tyre if you have a supplier in Ireland, that's available in 185/50

MikeBott93 said

Give Yokohama A539's a try, they're a premium tyre that you can get in 185/50/14!



Hope this helps.


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Im finding quite a few places that do these, abour €80 each so not too bad at all! thanks!!!

addicted said

Was just about to say the same as Mike 😁

The maxxis ma-z1 is an awesome tyre if you have a supplier in Ireland, that's available in 185/50

Cant find any of the Z1's over here, a few places stock the MA-AS but reviews on these don't look as good as the Z1.

According to the wheel calculator, my rolling radius will be -15mm (2.7%) on the 185/50., do you reckon this is too much a drop or should it be ok?

Sorry for the rookie questions!

Chris81GTI said

addicted said

Was just about to say the same as Mike

The maxxis ma-z1 is an awesome tyre if you have a supplier in Ireland, that's available in 185/50

Cant find any of the Z1's over here, a few places stock the MA-AS but reviews on these don't look as good as the Z1.

According to the wheel calculator, my rolling radius will be -15mm (2.7%) on the 185/50., do you reckon this is too much a drop or should it be ok?

Sorry for the rookie questions!

You should be fine mate


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MikeBott93 said

Chris81GTI said

addicted said

Was just about to say the same as Mike

The maxxis ma-z1 is an awesome tyre if you have a supplier in Ireland, that's available in 185/50

Cant find any of the Z1's over here, a few places stock the MA-AS but reviews on these don't look as good as the Z1.

According to the wheel calculator, my rolling radius will be -15mm (2.7%) on the 185/50., do you reckon this is too much a drop or should it be ok?

Sorry for the rookie questions!

You should be fine mate


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 Excellent thanks buddy