205 50 16 VS 195 50 16

[guybloom]

I live in Australia and drive a 2009, 1.5 Yaris hatch in a city where the roads are good and only summer tires are needed.

I moved from stock 185 60 15 to 205 50 16 on a 16 x 6.5 primarily to improve the looks of my Yaris. I love the way it looks and the ride once the car gets going. I am not very happy with acceleration, the car feels heavy to get going.

I wonder if anyone tried both 195 50 and 205 50 in 16 and can make a comment.

Most comments are in favour of the 205. I thinks it's because of the looks and wider variety of tire range.

Has anyone tried both these sizes in summer and can make a comment ?

[kimona]

I ran 205/50/16's (4 sets) on my 2007, and now run 205/50/16's on my 2014. I never noticed any significant loss in acceleration, but fuel consumption increased a bit. I like the way 205/50/16's handle, and of course they look great!

[guybloom]

Thanks for your comments I totally agree. However I would like to hear from someone who has tried both sizes on their Yaris.

[SirDigby]

there should not be any real difference. it's a 10mm difference in the width in the contact patch on the tire. you might notice a difference in acceleration if you had like 200hp. you might notice a difference in stopping distance of a few feet 120-0mph



I am not very happy with acceleration, the car does feel heavy to get going.



I believe this issue is with the eco-heavy "drive by wire" system. I would recommend the 1zz throttle body/chip-swap upgrade or one of the pedal sender reprograming boxes.

[guybloom]

Thanks for your reply.

[guybloom]

I ran 205/50/16's (4 sets) on my 2007, and now run 205/50/16's on my 2014. I never noticed any significant loss in acceleration, but fuel consumption increased a bit. I like the way 205/50/16's handle, and of course they look great!

What brand of tire do you use

[Bluevitz-rs]

The weight of the rim/tire combo will make more of an impact on acceleration than the tire size on the Yaris. A heavy wheel robs the same amount of power from accelerating the car weather you have 300hp or 90hp. So you'll feel it way more on a low power car.

[kimona]

What brand of tire do you use


I've used several different brands over the years, and I discovered that tread pattern plays a significant role in eliminating highway wander... something the Yaris suffers from terribly when the "wrong" tyres are fitted.

The last tyres I ran on my 2007 were Kumho Ecsta 4X, and they worked very well; good overall handling, predictable, very quiet ride, and straight-line tracking at highway speeds.

I'm now running a new set of Kumho Ecsta 4X rubber on my 2014, and I'm very happy with them.


http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?ra=searchTiresBySize.do&fl=&pc=31240&counter=0&ar=50&rd=16&cs=205

[SirDigby]

The weight of the rim/tire combo will make more of an impact on acceleration than the tire size on the Yaris. A heavy wheel robs the same amount of power from accelerating the car weather you have 300hp or 90hp. So you'll feel it way more on a low power car.

that's true. I forgot people don't obsess over tires like I do.

[guybloom]

Thanks for all your feedback all taken on board

It would be nice to hear from someone who has tried both sizes and their option

[Bluevitz-rs]

I've used both tire sizes, but on a 15 inch rim. I went from a 205/50 to 195/50 only because of clearance issues. I have Enkei RPF1 rims with a 35 offset. It's a little too much offset for my first gen, so I needed a narrower tire. Unless you're going to the track often go with the narrower tire.

[SirDigby]

I have Enkei RPF1 rims with a 35 offset.

I've been looking at these wheels a lot lately. what made you go with the 35 as opposed to the 41? wouldn't the 41 be almost the perfect size?

[Bluevitz-rs]

I've been looking at these wheels a lot lately. what made you go with the 35 as opposed to the 41? wouldn't the 41 be almost the perfect size?

I bought them used with tires for a good deal. Yes the 41 offset would have been perfect on my car.

[SirDigby]

ah.... I see