I would like to get some input here on 2 different tires.

I have a 2006 MCS with 16in R90 rims. Thinking about changing tire size to 205/60-16. Does know if that size tire is going to rub on the car? How will it effect spedo accuracy? The two tires I'm looking at are the:


<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+S-03+Pole+Position&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=05WR6 S03PP&fromCompare1=yes">Potenza S-03</a>

or the

<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+R E750&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=05WR6RE750&fromCo mpare1=yes">Potenza RE750</a>

Please feel free to weigh in?

 

I would not recommend 205/16/16. It measures about 25.7", which is much bigger than the stock size (195/55/16) at 24.44". It creates a 5% speedo error; rule of thumb is to keep within 2%. Some people run 205/50/16, which is smaller than stock, but keeps with the 2% margin....

As far as the tire choice itself, the performance of both of the Bridgestones is well above average. The S-03 is more performance oriented in it's tread design, but both give decent performance. The one thing I don't like about both of these tires is their weight-the S-03 in 205/50/16 is actually heavier at 24lbs than my winter Dunlop WinterSport D3 in 195/55/16. And that's a runflat!

The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is probably my fav summer tire in a 16" for a Coop....

 

205/60-16 is too large at 25.7" to fit the MINI. This size limits tire selection and doesn't allow for S-03 or RE750. Only Bridgestone G009 all season.

205/55-16 is a more common choice. 24.9" outer tire diameter is slightly larger than stock tires but OK. Speedo error will be very slight showing speeds slightly less than true speed.

Bridgestone S-03 is $131 closeout
220 treadwear AA traction W speed rated 24 pounds
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is $133
280 treadwear AA traction W speed rated 23 pounds
Both are excellent Max Performance tires offering much better wet and dry performance than any of the UHP summer tires but these cost more and wear faster as a trade off.

In Ultra High Performance Summer tires:
General Exclaim UHP $63
380 treadwear AA traction V speed rated 20 pounds
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval $104
320 treadwear AA traction W speed ratied 23 pounds
Bridgestone RE750 $111 each
340 treadwear AA traction W speed rated 23 pounds
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 $125
240 treadwear A traction W speed rated 21 pounds
Kumho Ecsta SPT $69
320 treadwear AA traction W speed rated 22 pounds

UHP summer tires offer much better value and longer wear with good performance.

 

sorry typo. i meant 205/50 - 16

 

At tirerack.com in 205/50-16 which is also OK for stock 16" rims but runs a little smaller than stock.

Bridgestone S-03 for $90 each closeout- very good price. I paid $195 each some years ago for 215/45-17 S-03s.

Goodyear eagle F1 G3-D3 for $117 Max Perf Summer tire

In Ultra High Perf Summer tires:
General Exclaim UHP for $64
Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval for $97
BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW2 for $117
Bridgestone RE750 for $105

Same trade offs in this size with 50 series being a little lower profile so better repsonsiveness and slightly firm ride. If doing mostly performance driving this is good size.

If you like 205/50-16 then the Bridgestone S-03 at that price seems a no brainer and far better than the RE750.

 

So would you go 205/50-16 or 205/55-16

My biggest concern is the wheel rubbing on the car.

Tires however I think I'm going to go for the RE750 vs. the S-03 Pole Position they both seem like great tires but the RE750 seem to have a better treadware rating.

Thanks again for the info guys.

 

Actually just ordered a set of 205/50R16 Bridgestone RE750 for my '06 MCS

Going to have them here in like 3 days. Plenty of time to kindly remove the remainder of tread off those Dunlop run-flats.

This is actually the first time I've bought Bridgstone. I've been buying Dunlops solid since 2002.

 

The RE750s are fine. A very popular performance tire. Good blend of handling with a bit longer treadlife. The downside to any higher performance tire is the sticky soft rubber wears fast and doesn't stay soft forever, it gets harder with time and noisy and not as good as when it was new.

Bridgestone makes some really good tires from the very best performance tires on down to bread and butter ones like UHP Summer and UHP All Season tires. Only thing really missing are competition tires.

205/50-16 is good, lots of clearance. Should be fine and no rubbing. Smaller tire diameter is not a problem for most.

 

Just bought the 205-50-16 S03s last week, mounted on my V-spoke/X-lite/R84s and they are FANTASTIC! I just spent two days at Carolina Motorsports Park hustling around the track with 'vettes, 'stangs and Cobras and these tires grip like glue.

They've also dramatically improved the ride quality over the run flats, (I have a RSB and no suspension mods, and the run flats made it ride like a truck.)

As for Alex and Tire Rack, this is my first "big" Internet purchase, (I've never used eBay, not phobic, just old school ;-) ). Everything went great, shipped on time, accurate product, friendly installer, CHEAP prices for tires and install. I'm sold and you should be too! (No kick backs from Alex, just like to give credit where it's due--remember, I'm old school.)