Hi there,

I have a set of Konig Heliums 6.5" 40mm offset that I run 205/50-15 Falken Azenis Sports on.

I see that Kumho makes a 225/50-15 now and I wonder if that will rub. Anyone tried it?

225/50 ZR15
SL Heat Cycled & Shaved 50 A A

 

I think they will fit assuming up to about a 1 " drop. What suspension do you have? What about camber settings and alignment for you?

The problem is that while your 15x6.5" rims will fit the 225/50-15 tires, the outer tire diameter of 23.6" is larger than the 22.8" diameter of the 205/50-15 tires so you loose a little advantage of lower gearing for autocross/track. You do gain from a wider tire (but heavier at 23 pounds vs 21 pounds).

 

I have HSport springs, RDR Camber Plates and RDR rear control arms. Koni Yellows are with UPS right now.

I run -1.5R and -1.7F

You're absolutely right about the gear change with the Falkens on the 15". It's noticeable.

I'm wondering if I'd get rub on the shock; that might not be too fun. Can't really trim that out with a dremel.

 

I think you will be OK no rubbing.
You might want to talk to Randy Webb at webbmotorsports.com or Alex@tirerack.com to confirm.

 

I just received a set of these from Tirerack. I have not mounted them yet, so I don't know if they'll rub or not, but let me say that compared to the 225/45-15 Ecsta V700s I currently have mounted on my 15x7 wheels, these 225/50-15 Victos appear HUGE (mostly in width, but also in the tirewall). They look kind of like drag racing tires for the MINI. I had NO IDEA there was such a huge difference between a -45 and -50 tire size. I'm looking forward to the added grip such a wide tire is going to give, but I sure hope they don't rub.

Alex at Tirerack told me that there's a small plastic piece in the rear wheel wells that may need to be ground down a bit in order to avoid rubbing, but otherwise he said they should fit fine.

Let me know what happens if you get them, since I won't be mounting mine for at least a month or so until I wear out my current tires.

 

225/45/15 is short enough in diameter it hasnt posed an issue for us before!

Alex