205/50 to 205/55 OK?

Tesla · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:52

Stock tyre size on the Mondeo is 205/50 R16. I've noted 205/55 R16 are much cheaper. I.e. F1's are £100 vs £65.

From my understanding this is a 5% increase in size. Is this too much?

How about fitting 195/55? How would this effect grip/handling? Would they even fit on the rim properly?

It's a mk2 mondeo 2.5.

Tia

DRZ · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:54

Bigger sidewalls = more flex = sloppier handling. Rolling radius will also increase and alter the accuracy of your speedo.

paradigm · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:54

It's a rolling radius difference of 3.44%.

I'd not recommend going much above 2.5% difference if you don't want your speedo to be out by too much.

MrFunex · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:55

Ignore

Matt82 · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:56

i was about to say... 205/50/16 really isnt a common size at all, id be suprised if mondeos came on those

spoogle · 26 Oct 2010 at 09:58

Stick with what the car has, it's that for a reason.
Definitely don't go down to 195.

paradigm · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:01

FWIW, 195/55 would only be a change of 1.64%. And a 195 tyre should fit on a 205 rim fine.

[TW]Fox · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:05

Matt82 said:
i was about to say... 205/50/16 really isnt a common size at all, id be suprised if mondeos came on those

Then be surprised, as its the stock size for ST24 and Ghia X.

Ranger07 · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:09

I wouldnt change it, if you fit them on the front of the car it can cause the tyres to buff the inner wheel arches on a full steering lock. This could potentially cause the tyre to rub through the plastic covers, rub through a flexi brake pipe and its also an MOT failure to have no clearance on the steering lock to lock check.

Plus it looks ***** imo

Cristian · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:22

Matt82 said:
i was about to say... 205/50/16 really isnt a common size at all, id be suprised if mondeos came on those

[TW]Fox;17651869 said:
Then be surprised, as its the stock size for ST24 and Ghia X.

it's also the common size for most vaxuhalls as well, which aren't particulary rare either.

paradigm · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:24

Ranger07 said:
Plus it looks ***** imo

So, at a single glance (ie not taking the time to go read the sidewall), you could physically see the difference between 195/55/R16 and 205/50/R16?

Don't be a nubbin.

Matt82 · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:26

[TW]Fox;17651869 said:
Then be surprised, as its the stock size for ST24 and Ghia X.

i am indeed suprised

Ranger07 · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:35

paradigm said:
So, at a single glance (ie not taking the time to go read the sidewall), you could physically see the difference between 195/55/R16 and 205/50/R16?

Don't be a nubbin.

I honestly can, as an MOT tester I'm pretty good at spotting incorrect tyre sizes at a glance as I'm looking out for it. Its especially easy if the fronts and rears are different. I know your average person would never spot it.

spoogle · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:45

Will it fail an MOT?
My thinking was that as long as the speed/loading of the tyre was correct and that the 2 tyres on each axis were the same, it wasn't a problem?

Saytan · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:46

205/50/16 is also the size for mk1 focus on 16in rims

paradigm · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:46

Ranger07 said:
I honestly can, as an MOT tester I'm pretty good

So you're the only MOT tester in the world that isn't a spanner monkey on crack?

[TW]Fox · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:51

What's with the rage today paradigm?

Ranger07 · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:51

I didn't say I wasn't on crack,

/Peels banana

Janesy B · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:55

[TW]Fox;17652192 said:
What's with the rage today paradigm?

Just today?

paradigm · 26 Oct 2010 at 10:59

[TW]Fox;17652192 said:
What's with the rage today paradigm?

No rage

Just really confused how someone can see a radius difference of <1% with the naked eye.

You can get that much difference by tread wear.