SP20 owners, say goodbye to performance tyres

[phunkdust]

After shredding my left rear this week after a particularly nasty puncture and another needing replacement I did the ring around to get some new boots.

Surprised to find in the 195/50/16 size stock for the SP20 both Toyo T1R and Kumho KU31 discontinued (both great performance tyres). About the best thing left is a Dunlop Sport Maxx which by many accounts is as soft as an overripe banana. Found some KU31s online, so bought 4 so I have two spare for next time (or to resell onto another SP20 owner should I move the car on before then)

Just something to be aware of if you're running performance tyres currently, the pickings might be slim come replacement time.

[TheMAN]

the stock size always had a limited selection... why even bother with it.... just go to 205/50-16s and you'll be much happier with the more accurate speedo and better grip.... there's a better selection too

[phunkdust]

The contact patch should be the same area, but with a slightly deeper sidewall, sidewall stiffness is reduced, so if anything less grip? I know you can run other sizes but it was just a general heads up to SP20 owners who have stock wheels. Maybe should have titled the thread "SP20 owners with stock wheels..."

[rodhog]

No Not less grip. actually most likely less with the 195's but you MIGHT feel like more grip or should I say more response.
Not many like a softer edged tyre. It's a bit more tyre and useable but does give less feedback. On standard suspension it was the OLD way of getting grip. Works much better with stock suspension. Sidewall difference as well is Massive between tyre makers so even using say a soft Dunlop sidewall on a 195 will still be softer then a Bridgestone on 205.
If you ever see a track day on stock cars you find the guys who push it too hard all run on the Rim edge. Was reason back in the day - not so Aus but in the US Frod fitted wider tyres to many of it's Performance range. Not sure it work on the FWD as it did in RWD. but I remember something about 302 Stangs of the mid 80's getting better launch off the optional Pack.
Certain models don't go as well like a Tuned HONDA or Clio CUp etc. but the rest are still Street cars.

As for Availability - it's design feature. Nissan SSS- Sp20 Clio cup's Type R - all run on tyre Designed from spec different to main stream. So only so many tyre makers will put a range out. Or in most cases they only select one model to USE. They make them soft so you have too in the frist 1 to 2 year re buy that tyre. Like SP23 owners for 1st year was only the Bridgestone available at $350 retail. Top tyre but you paid for it.

On a 235-45 R17. It runs on so many different cars now . I get them cheap and I get mid range to top model tyres and of course bottom. I can get them cheaper then the more common 17 inch after market size of 215 and 205.

Which is why many move a size up if room available.

The other side of the tyre toss is Price. If majority put aftermarket rims on Sp20's well then demand for that size drops and availability at a good price goes away. Lucky enough cheaper brands like to Fill this void.

[TheMAN]

the contact patch on a 205 is DEFINITELY wider than the 195... it's 205mm wide, not 195mm!

the "50" profile number is a RATIO between the width of the tyre and diameter of the rim size.... 205/50-16 is a little taller than the 195/50-16, but the difference is not a lot, and the speedo runs correctly with the 205s while there's basically no difference in sidewall stiffness if you choose the right brand

[JDM323]

^^ as he said best size for STOCK sp20 wheels or in my case 16" mx5 rims on 4 stud, speedo now runs spot on with my 205/50r16's

[z100]

I've done the same thing. Much better with the size up us others have said.

[DVS]

I run 205/45/16 without issue and the width handles a buttload better then the 195