Differences between 50 and 55 profile tyres?

Post Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:09 pm

Will I feel any diference in roadholding, handling and ride comfort if I swap from the 50 profile tyres I have fitted at the moment to 55 profiles? Or maybe even 60s?
Car is a M50 Tourer.

Thanks

Post Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:41 pm

Assuming youre on 15s, then 205/55/15s are the correct size, but some people use 205/50s for slightly better handling, but a slightly harsher ride.

The 55s will still handle well and the ride comfort will be a little better. Ive had both on my E30s and for everyday driving theres not much difference until you start to push on a bit. I wouldnt even bother with 60s IMO.

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:25 am

Thanks, the car is on 50s and it does handle well, as you say there isn't much improvement in ride , I think I'll stick with them.
Only want to change two, they got damaged!

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:53 am

You may notice a difference in ride comfort and road noise (both improved on 55s), but TBH its a small jump between sizes so not really worth thinking about.

Ive had 50s all round, 55s all round and 50s front/55s back (and vice versa) and never had a problem with ride comfort or road noise.

I reckon 55s actually look better as they fill the arches more, but 50s look good on a lowered car

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:59 am

I think your right about the 55's filling the arches better, but I only need 2, when I have to buy the next set, I'll go for 55's.

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:28 pm

You could always go for 55s on the rear then... would make the speedo more accurate too.

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:43 pm

Ziggy wrote:You could always go for 55s on the rear then... would make the speedo more accurate too.

Knew someone would suggest this

!

Trouble is, I'd keep looking at the car and thinking "it needs 55's on the front too" and then (within a week) I'd crack and hit the credit card, (which is down to zero for the first time this century) and pull off two new Dunlop Sport 50's to replace them with the 55's.
Got some more important things on the car first and I'm going to wear out these tyres, save some money and fit the 55s onto some Compomotive TH-Monos.

I squeeze 8 inchs into a E30 arch, right?

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:54 pm

Stick the 55s on the front and the 50s on the rear. The size difference isnt as noticeable that way round because of the shape of the rear arch.

Its a shame youre over in Kent, Ive got a couple decent 55s Im not using so Id happily swap for some 50s.

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 8:57 pm

Not jacking your thread but when you mentioned 205/55/15 would they be suitable for my new set of 15" 7J BBS alloys
If not could you tell me what size are best?
Cheers
Chris

Post Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:06 pm

Yup fine. 205/55/15 is the standard size for the BMW 15" BBS (15x7).`

Post Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:03 am

another hijacker...anyone fitted 225-50-15s...same rolling diameter ..just 20mm wider

Post Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:10 am

If you havn't got it already this is a handy tool for working out tyre sizes
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

Post Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:58 am

SPADGE wrote:If you havn't got it already this is a handy tool for working out tyre sizes
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

there is a better one in technical in the links section