I've been running Goodyear Eagle F1 DS-G3s in 205/50-16 for about 40,000 miles on 3 different MINIs and I've been very happy with them. The problem is now they've stopped making those, and the latest set is not going to last much longer. I've been wondering what to replace them with. The DS-G3s are still made in 205/55-16, so I've been wondering about that size instead.

What difference does it make? Does it really make any noticible difference? Has anyone run both, so they could directly compare them?

My driving style is "spirited" and we take the MINIs to trackdays, if that makes a difference.

The stock size is 195/55-16, so the 205/50s are about 1.5% smaller and the 205/55s are 1.7% bigger (I know size varies slightly by make, but that's the theoretical size.)

With the 205/50s the speedo is about 5% (+2mph) optimistic, so the 205/55s should reduce that error to about 2% (+2mph).

I'd expect the extra sidewall to increase the ride comfort a bit. I'm all for that, if it doesn't compromise the handling.

On the track there are times I've thought that a slightly higher gear ratio might be useful. The higher ratio would reduce the revs at cruising speed, which is a good thing, but the difference would only be 100 revs at 70mph.

With the 205/50s you can't get to 60mph in 2nd gear. (Not a really important fact, but it means I can never do a really good 0-60 time.)

I've noticed flipping through the SCCA's competition rules that some classes specifically allow MINIs to run 205/55, its not clear it they'd allow 205/50. (Not sure how relevant that is either.)

There's more choice in 205/55 than 205/50 (I may look at something other than a DS-G3). Tirerack lists 14 205/50 and 33 205/55 options (for the highest performance summer, non runflats).


Edit: I just noticed I'd type in 205/55 at the top, I've been running 205/50 which is the discontinued size. I corrected that now. Too many bloody numbers to type.

 

Edit: Nevermind. What I had to say wasn't very constructive. Sorry.

 

Now you're making me wonder what you did have to say.

 

PS: If any one wants some DS-G3s in 205/50-16, I have a couple spare I'm not going to be able to use: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p?product=4071

 

I was in your situation. I went with the 205/55-16 but now wish that I had gone 205/50-16.

 

Can you expand on that, what's different? why do you regret the switch?

 

I just picked up a set of 205/50-16s for my ROTA wheels. I will be switching from 17s to 16 in search of a better ride. I was in the same boat with which tire to get 50 or 55. I decided on the 50 as the torque increase will be better than a torque decrease.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

The torque only decreases if you're in the same gear. If you can avoid changing up, you get to use more torque. The difference is only 3% anyway.

I think I might be able to avoid changing up at turn 6 at Laguna Seca if I were on 55s.

 

It wasn't anything bad. I just didn't read the post carefully enough the first time. It was stuff about messing with your speedo and odometer, but I skimmed through that part in the OP. My bad.

 

I'm kinda in the same boat here. I'm getting new wheels and I'll probably lower the car eventually but I can't decide if the 205/55 will end up causing problems or if I should just go with the 205/50's.

 

defo 205/50 i made the mistake of 205/55 one they look huge and jack the ride height up and two as they are bigger the car feels sluggish as they have a larger rolling area

let it be a lesson to never order your tyres after a night out drinking as you end up hitting the wrong button and not reading the side wall till after you have them fitted as you were hungover the next day

 

I faced the same issue (205 55's vs. 50's). Both my Mini delar and Tirerack warned me that the 55's can rub. Rubbing tires are not the worth the hassle and damage. I am running 205 50 16 and am very happy.

 

In your case I would suggest

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec in 205/50-16 for $116 each 200 treadwear.

Very good handling tire suitable for performance driving events.
Does wear a little faster. 205/55-16 also available for similar price.

Good test results-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=107

You'll get a little better handling with 205/50-16, 2 lbs less weight and a slightly stiffer sidewall that will feel a little more responsive. Overall ride comfort is good for the Z1 Star Spec so it should be fine for street use.

Second choice would be-
Goodyear GSD3 in 205/55-16.

 

I got myself some of those, but on extra wheels, they'll be my track only tires. They're a bit noisy for everyday use. I'm considering Michelin PE2s for the street. It was the weight which finally persuaded me to drop the idea of 205/55-16s.

 

I was also advised that 55s might rub. I just put on Potenza 760s yesterday (205-50-R16).

 

I am in the same boat (er, car). I got the F1s in 205/50 for just over $50 since they were old...shoulda bought a boat load of ‘em. But I am wearing them out fast, even though I just use them for autox/track days, and driving to and from these.

I really put a lot of wear on the outside edge of the fronts, plowing through turns (yeah, if I was a better driving it wouldn’t be so bad). I have fiddled with pressures, starting high and then dropping lower and lower, down to high 30’s. Still wears the outsides down fast.

So how about going to a dedicated track tire, since I have a spare set of wheels? I don’t want to use R-compound tires or go through the hassles of shaving, etc. But if they’re gonna wear pretty quickly anyway are there some tires out there that would be good for autox and track days that are going to bust my budget, in the 205/50 range?

Rob

 

That's the only problem I've had with the F1s.Like I mentioned, I've got some Dunlop Direzza Z1 Sport Star Spec for track days now. They a little stickier than the F1s, they have a very good reputation. I'm going to my first track day on them this week, so I'll see how they hold up. In tests on the street I'm seeing scuffing on the shoulder, but the shoulder of these things has twice the tread depths the F1s had.

 

what psi to keep the F1 GSD3? 205/50-16 TIA

 

Where at?

Rob

 

Interesting -- one of the other tire-threads here had person after person raving about their Potenza 960s -- which are 205/55R16 ... no complaints about rubbing.

I'm shopping to replace the 16" runflats, and wondering if the 960s would be okay for someone like me who DOESN'T track their car, just wants an aggressive street-tire (Chicago driving!)

UPDATE May 2009: I killed the front runflats with some HEAVY recreational driving last week (2400 miles in five days!), and sprung for the Potenza RE960AS PolePositions in 205/55R16; VERY happy with my choice and the small upsize: no rubbing, softer, quieter, and still moderately stiff on the sidewalls -- about $140 a corner, out the door.

 

Laguna Seca.

I'm doing Siddhartha's "Advanced Car Control Clinic". This'll be the third time I've been at Laguna in 4 months (once in Tristan, once in Shawn) so I'm not learning the circuit and I hope I'll be able to what difference the tires make. I just hope it doesn't rain.

 

I'm one person that runs 205/55/16 RE960's and they don't rub, even with 4 on-board they don't rub. I recommend the 960's for your driving style, they are quieter and ride better than the previous set of tire - 205/55/16 Yoko ES100's, and grip the road. However, I have to agree that going from 195/55/16 to the larger size, there is a reduction in torque, but I can live with it and I think the larger size fills in the wheel wells better.

retroom

 

I have a set of General Artic's on the car for the winter on Sport 7 Wheels, 205 55 16. The ride is good and they handle well they do however rub slightly in the rear on a full tank. I also have a set of Avon's the M550 A/S 205 55 16 on the stock wheels, there is no rub at all with these and the ride is very good. I only use these in the inbetween months, Summer tires are on Sportmax 962's 205 45 17 Kumho's AST, a good balance tire for the money but when they wear out I will not re purchase

 

55 or 50? I've run both back to back for daily, AutoX and canyon runs.

I can't speak to the issue of rubbing in the R56, but on the R50 the rears do rub on the 55's in hard corners or with a load in the boot. The 55's gave me better MPG and ride comfort and peace of mind with Chicago pot holes that I didn't see coming.

The 50's will give you better off the line jump and won't need extra air for AutoX or Street Play like the 55's.

I'm going to run the 55 in the winter and 50's in the summer.

 

(Bump) R53, no suspension mods, the following are all 205/XX-16 tires - I've run both 50 (Kumho summers) and 55 (Dunlop winters, still got 'em on) for street, the Kumhos and even some 'mixed' 45's for (small) track and AutoX - and on the street - I don't drive it like I stole it, so to speak, but I don't get passed very often ...

First point - no rub w/ any of them (1/2a**ed disclaimer only had the 45's on 16x7, the rest on 16x6.5 rims)...

Second - yes, numerically, the final drive ratio goes down (better acceleration) w/ the 50's vs the 55's, and also agree the ride comfort may improve vice-versa: both by the aforementioned ~3.2%...

Third - I needed extra air in ALL of them for events (not the winters, never tracked - but thought about it for an AutoX or 2 here in VT ) - last ran 41 F and 35.5 R on track; 33/31 street...

And yes, the 55's do look a touch better in the wheelwells than the 50's (and a LOT better than the 45's)...

I'm about to throw some G/Y 55's on the summer rims for the rest of the season (used / good deal), then going w/ the 50 series Star Specs for next year - 3.2% doesn't matter for the street, does for the events- BTW noticed the diff w/ the 45's; only ran them 'cause they came on the rims I bought and could sell them, so I thought: why not?