In continuing with the current tyre theme....

Simon · 22 Jan 2013 at 15:43

205/50/16?

Eliot · 22 Jan 2013 at 16:06

Rubs the arches on bumps etc in that size apparently

Gixer · 22 Jan 2013 at 16:09

I'd go for the 205s purely to keep the wheel circumference as close as possible to original. You might end up having to remove the inner arch plastics to get the 205s to fit, I can't remember. Getting the correct offset is going to be key as to whether you end up having to do that or not.

Eliot · 22 Jan 2013 at 16:39

Yeah, I know I wont need to remove them for the 45 for certain, 50's i'm pretty sure I will.
Plus i think they will look wrong with so much sidewall.
The wheels will be the correct offset

Amos91 · 22 Jan 2013 at 16:47

I'd go for a set of Pilot Sport 3's in 205 flavour. They are the recommended tyre for the Clio 172/182 range.

Eliot · 22 Jan 2013 at 16:54

If they're anything like PE2's then they should be good enough, I think i'm leaning towards giving the AD08s a try though.
I've heard good things about Federal RSR's but i think they are available in these sizes.

Dr Who · 22 Jan 2013 at 17:01

Clarkey said:
Well why didn't you say so before....

If you are running 270hp then surely you want a wider tyre than 205?

Why, going larger than 205 doesn't increase the contact patch?

Clarkey · 22 Jan 2013 at 17:05

Of course not, no. That's why all powerful cars run skinny tyres right..

Eliot · 22 Jan 2013 at 17:19

I always thought that wider tyres on the same car just changed the shape of the contact patch tbh

Simon · 22 Jan 2013 at 17:33

Eliot said:
I always thought that wider tyres on the same car just changed the shape of the contact patch tbh

Correct. Low profile tend to deform less so a wide tyre is completely different shape to a thin high profile tyre.

Simon · 22 Jan 2013 at 17:34

Clarkey said:
Of course not, no. That's why all powerful cars run skinny tyres right..

Why do they run wide tyres then? We know the contact patch size won't change.

"andy" · 22 Jan 2013 at 17:52

put 195/50/15 eagle f1's on ?

does a light car like a 306 really need bigger brakes than the 280ish that would fit under any 15''s ?

Dr Who · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:00

Clarkey said:
Of course not, no. That's why all powerful cars run skinny tyres right..

If you go wider tyres the contact patch gets wider and shorter, I suggest you learn something before spouting off.

Wider tyres have other benefits but wont increase the contact patch to allow more power.

Eliot · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:03

"andy" said:
put 195/50/15 eagle f1's on ?

does a light car like a 306 really need bigger brakes than the 280ish that would fit under any 15''s ?

I want it to stop better so for when i have more power.
Besides they arent THAT light at 1250kg.
Thats not much lighter than say a clio 197 which has 4 pot brembos and massive discs.
Im also wanting to do some track days more and more now.

Clarkey · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:19

Dr Who said:
If you go wider tyres the contact patch gets wider and shorter, I suggest you learn something before spouting off.

Wider tyres have other benefits but wont increase the contact patch to allow more power.

You better call all those supercar manufacturers then and tell them they could save money by not fitting those 3xxmm tyres on the drive axle.

Dr Who · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:33

Clarkey said:
You better call all those supercar manufacturers then and tell them they could save money by not fitting those 3xxmm tyres on the drive axle.

I have no need, they don't fit them because of the power of the car, they fit them for other reasons as I said.

Like I said, go do some reading, find out facts, then you will know WHY they fit them, and it isn't to improve traction under power.

Hint, handling, tyre heat build up, stability under directional change, consistency of contact patch under load changes.

Clarkey · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:36

I don't need to. Run a variety of different size tyres on the same car for myself and know for a fact the wider ones give better traction. No point splitting hairs on the details why, it's just a fact.

Simon · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:50

Wider tyres don't make the contact patch any bigger though.

"andy" · 22 Jan 2013 at 18:55

Simon said:
Wider tyres don't make the contact patch any bigger though.

how so ? assuming the same radius then surely the area increases ?

Eliot said:
I want it to stop better so for when i have more power.
Besides they arent THAT light at 1250kg.
Thats not much lighter than say a clio 197 which has 4 pot brembos and massive discs.
Im also wanting to do some track days more and more now.

honestly thought these where under 1000kg , my bad

Clarkey · 22 Jan 2013 at 19:04

Simon said:
Wider tyres don't make the contact patch any bigger though.

That may well be the case, but they still give more traction and especially lateral grip.