I currently have 215/50/13 tires on my FB, but having read about those being too big on the stock rims, resulting in excessive sidewall flex, has made me wonder. I'm about to purchase my next set of tires, same brand and model. Can anybody who has actually tried this size as well as other sizes, such as 205 or 195 tell me if they have experienced better lateral stability, without loosing grip, with a narrower tire of this brand and model?

 

a lot of people run 195s on their cars. ive got 205 bfg on mine right now. its still fresh from previous owner. so i dont really have any experience concerning sumitomos.

 

I have the HTR 4's in the 205/50/13's and a they work great... Not quite as good as my pirelli 215/45/17's on my other car but they are still really good.

 

Ok. I'll repeat the question. Can anybody who has used the 215/50/13 size of the HTR 200 AND a different size, such as the 205 or 195 tell me if there is a notable difference in lateral stability and grip due to the difference in size??

 

How do you fit 215 in the front and not rub?
I thought the general consensus was that you can't run wider than 205 (stock GSL-SE width) in the front.

And sorry, I don't know anything about Sumitomos. What is the aspect ratio of the 205 and 195? How do you like the 215s right now? Do they feel unresponsive or sluggish when turning? You could also think about running different width tires front and rear if you want.

Best of luck.

 

I've used the 205/60/13 and I found them to be adequate to the task. I would expect even crisper handling from a 195 series tire though, the less unsupported sidewall, the better.

 

I use spacers.

195/60/13 and 205/60/13 is what Sumitomo has in ratios for those sizes.

The 215 are great IMO. Great grip. To compensate sidewall flex I keep them at 48-50 psi. But to evaluate something you have to have something to compare it with, and the only other tires I've had before are BFG 215/50/13, so that's why I wanted to have somebody who has used the 215/50/13 HTR's and another size share their experience.

The problem with different size tires in front and back is the impossibility to rotate them.

 

Anybody?