Nick_Cat

iTrader: (5)

I'm looking to get some winter tyres put on my 16" alloys, which will also allow me to save my 17" alloys/tyres for the rest of the year.

However, I'm finding that the options for 205/50/16 are very limited, but there's a greater range for 205/55/16. Has anyone gone up a profile size and had any problems?

Thanks

Nick_Cat

iTrader: (5)

After some research, I don't think it makes much of a difference.

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

I have 17's with 205/55/17's fitted and they do very slightly rub on full lock but it hasn't been a problem.

HonestIago

I used Kumho winter tyres in 205/50/R16 on my old UK Turbo and I thought they were very good in snow/ice and cold/damp conditions. You can get the newer version for around £80/corner but my current pick would probably be the Nokian WR A3 at £74/corner on MyTyres. I wouldn't personally deviate from OE size unless you have to.

ben.harris

iTrader: (2)

I did exactly this last year - fitted Continental Winter Contact TS 850 205/55 R16 on my spare set of 16's as there was a much better choice of tyres available in 55 profile than 50 and the TS850's received very good reviews in this size, too.

I did do quite a bit of reading beforehand, and came to the conclusion that this is actually the size that the US Impreza RS25 had as standard on the same style 16" wheels.

I can't say I really had any problems with them and will be putting them back on this weekend. I did find a couple of occasions when I had passengers in the back that after going over some very large bumps (probably quicker than I should!) that there was a bit of minor rubbing somewhere at the back as the suspension bottomed out. I'm not sure if that's due to my 19 year old OEM suspension though, or possibly that as winter tyres are generally quite 'tall' anyway because of the blocky nature of their tread pattern and deep groves, so maybe they're actually closer to a 60 profile summer tyre (just a theory I've made up - I've nothing to back it up!).