As the subject says I bought S-03's for out back 245/45/16's......

Should I get 225/50/16's or 225/45/16's? The difference is about 1/2" less sidewall.

I want the car to handle and ride quality I don't care about.

Which profile..... "50" or "45"...?

GNX7
now coilover equipped....

 

Get 245/45 all the way around. I've had them on my stock R1 suspension for 15,000 miles and they have never rubbed

 

this is slightly uneducated, as I haven't had anything other than 225/50's up front, but I have had more than one tire type. I would say that the quality of the tire itself is going to have more effect than a tiny bit of difference in the height of the sidewall. I'd be willing to be that you won't notice the difference between the two on a tire as well made as the S-03. I'm running Pirelli P-Zero 245/45 rear and 225/50 front - I get little to no sidewall flex and am quite pleased with their handling characteristics (a HUGE improvement over the old Goodyear GS-Ds, and there's no comparison to them and the Khumos on my MR2 - Khumos are the WORST)

 

Yep, you can go 245/45-16 all around, or do BrianK's setup with 225/50-16 up front. 225/45-16 would be too short, and lower the front end too much, which will add more negative rake to the car's stance. Besides, the load index on a 225/45-16 is too low for the spec load index for the FD which is 92 (1389 lbs), which is the load index for a 225/50-16.

 

Guess I should've clarified what year car I have. '87 GXL with coilovers. I will have a 3rd gen someday.

From tirerack.com the 225/50/16's are $14 cheaper than the 225/45/16's. $138 vs. $152.....

I run the S-03 245/45/16's out back on stock '89-91 T2 rims and wow are they nice.

-GNX7