Tyres and Wheel sizing

[WorldClassAccident]

Looking at the last photo of my car I think I need to fill the rear arches. The wheels are 5.5" wide and 15" diameter. Using the wonderful world of google I have found the fattest tyres I can fit are 205s. Checking on BlackCirlces.com it appears that 65 is the highest profile tyre that isn't for 4x4s.

So, sticking 205x65 R15s on the back of the Z300s while leaving the 185x65 R15s on the front will I die?

More seriously, will it look better and still handle?

At the moment it is quite happy to slide the back end around under acceleration so a bit of extra grip wouldn't be an issue but I am wondering of the result would be to push the nose into under-steer which I don't like.

[micky1mo]

I could be wrong but I think the highest or standard profile for a tyre is 80, ie 185 x 15 has a standard profile of 80 so its not noted because it a standard profile.
But a 185 x 70 x 15 has a profile of 70, ie; smaller than standard and so, as it is not standard it is noted :nod:

If you understand :icon_frown:

[WorldClassAccident]

The question was more about the effect on the handling but thanks for the info.

[fatbloke]

I'm planning to put these on mine - old school look but modern tyre construction.

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/vredestein/sprint-classic/185-70-r15-89h-11377

[Little Red Car]

205s can be squeezed onto 5.5J rims but they're an awful fit - the beading is really strained, particularly so on wires, as they tend to have more flex anyway.

205s are really best suited to rims 6.5J and wider, 7 being the optimum.

A compromise for you would be 195/70s. That said, I realise that it'd be expensive, but I think your car would be perfect on a set of 7Jx16 wheels, not necessarily wires. Have a chat to Beaulieu Tyres, they'd know best.

[WorldClassAccident]

Thought I would look to see what a set of 16" wires would cost. This site knows how to charge! http://shop.mwsint.com/productslist.asp?catid=92&pagenum=1

The 16" wire wheels I can find on eBay are for the 52mm Jag hub rather than the 42mm Aston Martin hub I he=ave fitted : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XK-120-140-150-Dunlop-16-inch-spoked-wire-wheels-rebuilt-set-of-4-silver-/191004323277

[Mitchelkitman]

Thought I would look to see what a set of 16" wires would cost. This site knows how to charge! http://shop.mwsint.com/productslist.asp?catid=92&pagenum=1

The 16" wire wheels I can find on eBay are for the 52mm Jag hub rather than the 42mm Aston Martin hub I he=ave fitted : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XK-120-140-150-Dunlop-16-inch-spoked-wire-wheels-rebuilt-set-of-4-silver-/191004323277

Crikey - when I just looked at the site I thought the price was for 4