So what's the right size 16" tire? | FerrariChat
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So what's the right size 16" tire?

Discussion in '308/328' started by LouB747, Oct 15, 2009.

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  1. LouB747

    LouB747 Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2009
    2,123
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Lou Boyer
    #1 LouB747, Oct 15, 2009
    Finally got a set of 16's from "scaledetails" to replace my TRX's. Just curious as to what tires are recommended. From what I've read online, it looks like the standard tire is a
    205/55 VR 16 in front and 225/55 VR 16 in the back. Is that the size most of you use? The tires on the wheels are 245/50 on the rear and 225/50 in front. I don't know that much about tires/wheels. I realize 16 is the diameter. I believe the 245,225 is the width or footprint. And 50 is the profile or "thickness" of the tire. So I believe these tires to be a bit wider....a bigger footprint. Does the 50 mean there are smaller...and won't fill up as much of the wheelwell?

    Anyway, need new tires and just want to see what everyone is using. I have a 348 Spider for aggressive driving. My Mondial is a daily driver, or close to it. So don't need the highest performance tires. I do like the look of the Eagle F1's. Nice tread pattern.

    Thanks again to "scaledetails" for the wheels.....

    Lou
     
  2. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #2 Paul_308, Oct 15, 2009
    It will depend somewhat upon the wheel widths.

    When I got 16" QV wheels to replace my 7" 14"s I put on Eagle F1s in these sizes:

    Front 7" 205/ 55ZR16
    Rear 8" 225/50ZR16
     
  3. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
    5,953
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Hank Garfield
    #3 hank sound, Oct 15, 2009
    Hi Lou,

    PM sent.

    Cheers, Hank
     
  4. LouB747

    LouB747 Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2009
    2,123
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Lou Boyer
    #4 LouB747, Oct 15, 2009
    The wheels are off a 87 Mondial. Standard OEM wheels.......Lou
     
  5. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
    2,198
    Seattle, Washington
    Full Name:
    Cliff
    #5 CliffBeer, Oct 16, 2009
    Lou, the stock sizes for the '87 mondial wheel are indeed 205/55/16 front, 225/50/16 rears. I opted for 225/55/16s in the rear on mine when replacing all four tire as this brings down the 5th gear highway cruising rpm (which was a little high for my tastes) and makes 1st gear a little taller/more useable. Just a suggestion.

    And, yes, the Eagle F1s are a very good tire. There are several versions available.
     
  6. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    #6 PV Dirk, Jan 5, 2011
    I've seen these numbers quoted often, and my 87 Mondial has the 225/50/16s on the rear but noticed when I looked in my owners manual a few days ago and also in other literature I received with the car the factory recommends 205/55/16 front and 225/55/16 rear.

    I also noticed that my speedo is considerably off when tested against a gps on mph, I'm hoping the correct tire brings it more inline. I'm changing to what the manual recommends, 55s on the rear.
     
  7. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
    3,310
    UK
    #7 Iain, Jan 5, 2011
    http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator

    Difference is pretty small
     
  8. pdf308

    pdf308 Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2009
    278
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #8 pdf308, Jan 5, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2011
  9. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

    Jan 31, 2004
    5,953
    Burbank, CA
    Full Name:
    Hank Garfield
    #9 hank sound, Jan 5, 2011
    Not only will your speedo be more accurate, the look will be better because of the slight "dump" from the larger (correct) rear tire.

    Cheers, Hank
     
  10. coldmillerlite

    coldmillerlite Rookie

    Jul 4, 2006
    5
    Orlando
    Full Name:
    Tom Onken
    #10 coldmillerlite, Apr 6, 2011
    I just looked at the tires on my car and they are:
    Front 240-55-390
    Back 220-55-390

    Can't find those sizes anywhere. Is there are replacement size that I can use or somebody recommends? Thanks-Tom
     
  11. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,649
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #11 greyboxer, Apr 6, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2011
  12. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,011
    Savannah
    #12 thecarreaper, Apr 6, 2011
    you have to buy new replica Ferrari 16 inch wheels for $2500.00 + tires ( 16 inch).

    Or, try to find TRX tires, which run over $500.00 each, and they suck as tires.

    Cars with metric wheels are bought a a discount because of this headache / expense.

    Factory 16 inch wheels are around $3500-4000 used. ( set of 4)
     
  13. marco246

    marco246 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2004
    288
    Hawaii
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #13 marco246, Apr 6, 2011
    Tom,

    The original tire size on your 83 Mondial should be 240/55-390 on all four wheels. Maybe the 220 you mention for the rears is a typo?

    Regardless of that, thecarreaper is correct about your options--none of which is inexpensive.
     

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