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MG MGF Technical - 215/45 205/50

Hi Folks,

Hopefully this not another boring tyre thread! I’ve checked the archive but am hoping for a quick and definitive answer regarding tyres for 15” rims.

Currently running 195/50 fronts & std 205/50 rears, I’m about to replace all tyres & am tempted to go 205/50 front & 215/45 rears. Already decided to go Toyo TR-1.

I’m hoping to maximise grip and handling from the 15” rims and I understand this combination is about as big as I can go, but is bigger better in this case?

Is it a definite that the fronts won’t clear without the hot air mod?

Any problems envisaged with 215’s on the back?

Anyone tried the above combination?

Thanks, Russ.

R D Mellor

Russ,
I've never heard of that size on the rear, not to say it hasn't been done though. Depending on your ride height, you could rub the rear wheel arch or get tramlining with that width.

I use 205/50 Toyo Proxes T1-R (which I presume you mean) all round and, with no modifications to the inner wheel arches or wings, also my suspension has lowering knuckles fitted.

When reversing out of the garge, with the suspension cold, on full lock, you can just hear a slight rub on the inner liner, other than that, no problems for me.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

I hope someone could give some insight into this as I was just thinking today of doing the very same thing.
I've previously run with 205's all round which worked very well for me however I do like to have as much rubber on the road as possible!
James King

I presume we're talking 15" rims here?

I've tried 185, 195 and 205 on the front, with 205/50s at the rear. The best of the three options was, without doubt, the 195/50 R15s (using Bridgestone S-02 rubber).

I am not sure why you'd really want to go to 215s at the rear - especially as you do need to be wary of speedo calibration. There isn't really much of an advantage going from 205 to 215 in my experience - assuming that you are using decent tyres in the first place. I've now got 215/40s all round on 16" rims, and there isn't anything in it compared to 205/50s all round - other than the difference in tyres - the Bridgestone rubber being superior IMO to the Goodyear F1 that I now use.

Consider the reasons for going to wider rubber - and then investigate the down-sides of doing so (other than the inevitable price penalty). I'll not influence your decision right now, but I know what I'd be doing...
Rob Bell

I’ve just been on the phone to Mike Satur for some other goodies and he strongly recommends sticking with the 195/50’s on the front, which Rob agrees with.

I’m on my 2nd set of Toyo’s which I really like and are dirt cheap in a 195/50/15 so I thank you for you comments Adrian, but I think I’ll stick with the 195 unless there is a good argument to change.

Mike suggests going as big as one can at the back, the circumference and therefore gearing is an issue as Rob suggests, although in this case I estimate the difference to be less than 2%.

I’m therefore a little undecided about the rears, price is not really an issue with current MyTyres price at £45.40 (205/50) & £56.50 (215/45) respectively.

Has anyone actually tried 215/45/15’s on the back?

Thanks, Russ.
R D Mellor

Russ, no, not tried 215/45 R15s on the rear - but from the experience with 215/40 R16s, I'd say save your 10 quid per tyre and go with the 205s.

IIRC Fabrice went with some fairly wide rear tyres - but I don't recall whether that was on 15 or 16" rims?
Rob Bell

Thanks Rob, I think that decided me:

195/50/15 - front
205/50/15 - rears.

Cheers, Russ.
R D Mellor

I suspect that 195s up front but 215 at the rear would be about best

However after hearing the vehicle handling solutions boys I would only really experiment with Yokohamas!
Neil

Yes Rob, on my previous F I went for 225's on the rear, but on 16" wheels (205/45-16 front & 225/40-16 rear)
On 15" wheels I was one of the first to fit 195/50/15 front (& 205/50/15 rears) ...

Now on the TF I'm still on the original 195/45-16 & 215/40-16

IIRC, I think Per went on his TF for 205 front and 225 rear too, but with higher profiles (50 front & 45 rear) to compensate for the final ratio...
When my tyres will wear out, I think I'll do the same. This will make a +5% difference on the circumference, and the higher profile will give some slight extra comfort.

Fabrice

I think I'll stick with the herd too and go with 195/50's on the front and 205/50's on the rear.
James King

Is it time for an update to the http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/ tyre guide.

Are the top 3 still available?
How do the current recommendation Continentals compare?
JohnB

John - I think that you're right - it is time to update the tyre listing on mgf.ultimatemg.com! :o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 25/10/2005 and 26/10/2005

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