Tyre Size

[2Hott2Hate]

i have 98 spec ITR, which has standard 215/45/16 potenzas from japan re01..just wondering should if it's ok to use 205 width because i freaken hard to find the original tyre size in NZ....firestone quoted me $270 and said the only have 3 left in the country..also tried quotes for other brands, same size and the cheapest was $230 direzza 101..s

[DanSir]

also have a 98 Spec, the tyre size is somewhat uncommon so the choice is not huge in NZ, I have the Direzzas on mine at the moment.

Im no expert at all, but if the car is suppose to run 215's and the rims are for 215's etc etc while you can get 205's to fit, which mine had when I got it and changed straight away, it should really have 215's on it.

Hopefully the more demand there is for this tyre size the better the prices and choice will get.
( I believe though, only the front of an NSX, the 98 Spec ITR and the rear of one of the Mr2's run this size)

The tyres aren't cheap, but its a Type R surely you don't want to put the cheapest thing that will fit on it.

[2Hott2Hate]

how was the handling with the 205's on?...one of my fears for fitting smaller tyres is tyre burst.

[DanSir]

I can't really compare the handling because when I picked up the car the tyres were miss matched front to back, and were only on for 3 or 4 days.

While someone with more knowledge than me can probably tell you more, it also means the overall size will also be wrong meaning the gearing will be different and you'll have less rubber on the road than the car was designed for.

[DrRubber]

I ahve fitted 205/45 and 205/50 to itrs and it is fine...however not quite correct.

The 205/50 will be closer in overall diameter than the 205/45 but its a much of a muchness.

The original re010 is not available in new zealand however the re 040 (or e040 as it has dropped the r in new zealand for some reason) is readily available (or was when I last checked) Also the hankook ventus rs2 is produced in this size (i just found out) so will be checking tomorrow if there is stock available in new zealand.

yokohamma do one too but I havnt looked into that as such either....I guess ill have to as that would be another good option.

[matix]

bought my itr with 205/45 on the rear, changed them to the front as to wear them out quicker. Little less grip than the 215/45 dz101, but fine for normal driving. Wouldn't go on the track with them tho.

I got some dz101 for $216 each and are great tyres. Will be getting them once the 205's wear down.

[WingIt]

205 is fine on a 7" rim, dont have to worry about tyre burst, even 195 would be no worries.

I have 215/45/16 in my ITR rims, they are yokohama S-Drives

[DrRubber]

ahhh yup the s-drive isnt too bad a tyre either.....I still havnt found out about the hankook as such

[4VTECN]

Ive got 204/40 F1's on my 98 spec...seem to be all good

[MMJA]

I've got 2x 215/45/16 Bridgestone Potenza GIII's and 2x 215/45/16 Dunlop Direzza DZ101's on my 98spec. DZ101's are probably the best value tyre you can find in 215/45/16. For ideas on other tyres have a look here: Compare Tire Search Results

Note that it is an American site so we may not have some tyres on that site. Best to ring up and see what they have.

[duncanb]

Watch the tyre load rating if you go down in size. The replacement tyre should not have a lower rating than the OE size.

[dc1integra]

what about going to a 225 45 16 or 225 40 16? would that be wise just for better availability

[EGizzle]

205/50/16 is the most common size that closest matches your OE. We stock Falken 452's, Goodyear f1's & Toyo t1-r which are all pretty decent treads.

Also this is a very useful website for this exact reason

Tire Size Calculator - tire & wheel plus sizing