Re: Switching from 205 60VR15 to 225 55VR15...probs ?

[Ben Baldridge <bbaldrid@ael.com>]

At 10:39 AM 6/3/97 EST, you wrote:
>Time for some new tires.  Winter is almost over here in Maine and the 
>Hakka's hafta come off.
>
>Anybody tried switching from the '87 5KCSTQ OEM tire size, 205 60 VR
>15 to a 225 55 VR (or ZR) 15 with the OEM 15J6 wheels ?  IS there any 
>real advantage in so doing ? 
>
>Also, anyone tried Toyo Proxes T1 or U1 tires ?  Like them, or not ?
>
>Thanks,
>
>--Kurt
>1987 5KCSTQ
>130k and climbing
>
>______________________________
>Kurt Wesseling
>Technical Support Center
>The Education Network of Maine
>800-696-4357
>______________________________
>

I have some experience here that may be helpful. I tried this on my 86
5000tq (the Treser, with 15 inch aftermarket wheels) and I noticed that they
tramlined - a sort of vague wandering feeling when the car was going in a
straight line at speed. Oversize tires on this size wheel made the car more
sensitive to the road surface - the handling felt a bit squirrelly, though
not bad enough to do anything about. My present car (BMW 325iX, and no, I
don't want to start any threads up again, please) has 225-50/15s on it
(previous owner, on the original wheels) and also tramlines. It's not bad,
but when I get new tires, I will either go back to 205-60/15 or else get 16
inch wheels. I just don't like the way it feels. 

I don't think your proposed combination will do anything much for the
handling, but YMMV. 
Hope this helps. 

Ben Baldridge
Antenna Laboratory 
Tracor Aerospace Electronic Systems, Inc.
86 Audi Treser Super 5000tq (for sale)
BMW 325iX