Anybody got 16 inch wheels on their FR-S /BRZ?

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by enouf

I just changed back to the stock 16" from 17x8 rpf1 235/45 PSS and have to concede the car feels just that much better on 16", even though both setup weighed the same (around 17kg/37.5lb). Less tramlining, tiny decrease in noise and more lively. It'd be the best if I could keep that character but with more grip in the wet (the yoko's in wet is crazy slippery).

For those that went 215 or 225's - how does it compare to the 205/55 yoko/other tyres (given the same weight)? Did it make the steering more numb & sluggish?

How do those Yokohama Decibel feel? I've been running Hankook Ventus V12 Evo, and they have the softest sidewall in the known universe. I'm looking for a not-grippy tire that doesn't have the problem where it fishtails when changing lanes.

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by NissanGuy

I'm looking for a not-grippy tire that doesn't have the problem where it fishtails when changing lanes.

Some toe-in @rear could fix that? And some toe-out in front for more turn-in grip...

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Some toe-in @rear could fix that? And some toe-out in front for more turn-in grip...

I was actually thinking about that for different reasons, but I don't mean the car oversteers.

I mean the car's body wiggles around while the contact patch goes in a straight line. It oscillates back and forth like a fish (even at 46 psi!)

I think I'm between Yokohama Decibel, and some 16" versions of the infamous Michelin Primacy.

[enouf]

Originally Posted by NissanGuy

How do those Yokohama Decibel feel? I've been running Hankook Ventus V12 Evo, and they have the softest sidewall in the known universe. I'm looking for a not-grippy tire that doesn't have the problem where it fishtails when changing lanes.

The yoko decibels in 205/55/16 matches the car very well in the dry but pretty bad in the wet. I can only compare them to the PSS, but they are definitely on the soft side and absorb bumps pretty well. I run them at 36psi and they're fine when changing lanes.

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by enouf

The yoko decibels in 205/55/16 matches the car very well in the dry but pretty bad in the wet. I can only compare them to the PSS, but they are definitely on the soft side and absorb bumps pretty well. I run them at 36psi and they're fine when changing lanes.

Interesting! I'm in California so wet performance is, ahem, academic. Even so, how do they act up in the wet?

[Trettiosjuan]

Originally Posted by NissanGuy

I was actually thinking about that for different reasons, but I don't mean the car oversteers.

I mean the car's body wiggles around while the contact patch goes in a straight line.

Got that, but good to know it can also affect balance. No quarantees on your set-up, but my previous goodyears were the softest sidewalls ever and adding toe did cure most of the wiggle, one could say the sidewalls become prewiggled or pretensioned. At least in front I always dial in toe-out on feel, every tire (and pressure) is unique...

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Got that, but good to know it can also affect balance. No quarantees on your set-up, but my previous goodyears were the softest sidewalls ever and adding toe did cure most of the wiggle, one could say the sidewalls become prewiggled or pretensioned. At least in front I always dial in toe-out on feel, every tire (and pressure) is unique...

That's a hair kludgey, but makes a lot of sense. How much did you use? I'm running like 7 minutes rear toe in and 2 minutes front toe out.

[enouf]

Originally Posted by NissanGuy

Interesting! I'm in California so wet performance is, ahem, academic. Even so, how do they act up in the wet?

They're fine when you're driving around like a granny but as soon as you push it, it'll let go pretty quick. I've had an instance of very abrupt lift off oversteer on a slight damp road with a gentle curve to it - nearly ended up in a ditch.

[brianhj]

Originally Posted by troek

v12 has way to soft of a sidewall to be running that tall of a tire. i was dissapointed with mine until i ran 36-38psi and more camber. i run 205/55r16 rs-3s now, and they are amazing.

Is there a way to know the stiffness of a sidewall before purchasing? Max load maybe?


I'm trying to find something that has good grip in 205/55r16 but also has good wet traction and aren't too noisy. If that's a fool's errand you can tell me

[Chanpion]

Winter setup. Not the best looking nor the best performance setup, went with 205/55/16s. Diameter looks good but from a direct front or rear view, the skinny tires looks odd on the car.

To answer above poster:
There's not really any accurate representation of sidewall stiffness labels. You kind of have to take all the information like weight and load rating and *very* loosely do an estimate. The best idea would be to find a tire you may like and just search forums and find information on each one. That's probably the best way to go about it.

[churchx]

Would be nice to see OP post updated with links to individual posts of specific rims, weight for them, and info if/which of 16" can be used with some BBKs (which of them/with what spacers). I guess that for some racing types lighter rotational weight of 16" might be preferable, but with what brake upgrades they go that will fit those smaller rims?

[NissanGuy]

Originally Posted by brianhj

Is there a way to know the stiffness of a sidewall before purchasing? Max load maybe?


I'm trying to find something that has good grip in 205/55r16 but also has good wet traction and aren't too noisy. If that's a fool's errand you can tell me

I forget about noise, but Goodyear Eagle GTs get, if anything, stickier when wet. The sidewall is also crazy stiff so your steering will be firm and your alignment numbers will matter quite a lot. They're a bit sticky for my taste (from what I remember several years ago on a 240SX).

I think I'm gonna get Kumho Ecsta 4X. 420 treadwear and a friend says they're quite stiff. Should send me sliding precisely all over the place. Plus, the product information blurb on TireRack says they're stiff...

Also: All run-flats are stiff as hell. But, you don't want those. Heavy/expensive.

[troek]

Originally Posted by brianhj

Is there a way to know the stiffness of a sidewall before purchasing? Max load maybe?


I'm trying to find something that has good grip in 205/55r16 but also has good wet traction and aren't too noisy. If that's a fool's errand you can tell me

id recommend the bfgoodrich gforce comp 2, if ultimate grip isnt your main focus. I had those on my r32 and i loved them. After that, dunlop zII or hankook rs3 v2.

[Shit Luck]

Wheels are almost done...
Just need adapters and tires.