Re: 225/50 tires on 16x7 A4 rims?

[Luis Marques <marques@rtis.ray.com>]

ejfluhr@austin.ibm.com (Fluhr) wrote:

> He doesn't like the fact that the 205/55-16 stock tires do not stick
> out beyond the rim...feels it leaves the rim susceptible to damage
> from curbs and such.  He wanted to go to a 215 size, but the next
> closest diameter would be 225/50.  Can a 225/50 fit on a 16x7" rim,
> or does it need a 7.5" width?
> 
> As for performance (based on sidewall flex vs. extra tire width),
> is a 225/50 significantly better than a 205/55 on a 7" rim?

I can say for a fact that the 225/50 on 16x7" tire/wheel combo is the
BMW sport package combination on the 3 series, so I can only imagine
that it is just fine.  The wider tread will provide some protection for
the rim and improve braking.  However, since you are putting a wider
tread on the same "narrow" rim, the inner tread area will have a
stronger tendency to loose contact with the road under high-g cornering
(the trapezoid cross-section deal) and may need a little more negative
camber or revised air pressures to compensate.

Luis Marques
'87 4kcsq