185 60 15R tyres on 7J rims

[Domel]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has any good pics of a 185 60 tyre on a 15 x 7 rim? I did a google search but not much success there. I'm looking to change the tyres on my e30 to achieve a more stretchy look but at the same time I want to keep the rolling diameter as close to stock as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Dom

[dylan8]

First one is a dunlop tyre apparently


think it looks good. doesnt stand out but may give you a extra few mm for clearance.

[Domel]

Thanks Dylan!

think it looks good. doesnt stand out but may give you a extra few mm for clearance.

Definitely better than the 205s I've got on at the moment. Also considering 195 55 or 185 55, although that would make a considerable reduction in rolling dia.

[dylan8]

Thanks Dylan!



Definitely better than the 205s I've got on at the moment. Also considering 195 55 or 185 55, although that would make a considerable reduction in rolling dia.

no worries you will find tyres visually look and bulge different to others.

if your going to lower the car a lot reducing the rolling dia can help get the car lower.. I did have some problems when i did this on my bora was i was never able to have the tyre-to-arch gap right because the car would have been on the deck before i tucked tyre.

[Domel]

no worries you will find tyres visually look and bulge different to others.

if your going to lower the car a lot reducing the rolling dia can help get the car lower.. I did have some problems when i did this on my bora was i was never able to have the tyre-to-arch gap right because the car would have been on the deck before i tucked tyre.

I've just had new springs/struts/shocks installed, so it won't be going any lower than it is now. I suppose that's just another reason why I'd like to stick close to the 606mm wheel dia., as I'm pretty happy with how it looks in terms of arch gap at the moment. Ideally, I would like to get some tires test fitted to see how they look before I make my final decision, but I don't think many tyre shops would be willing to do that for me...

[Water Boy]

Id go a 195/45/15 IMO.

[Domel]

Id go a 195/45/15 IMO.

I don't think that would look good on the e30, way too small. With the 205 55 on at the moment that gives a wheel diameter of 606mm which is the recommended diameter for this car; 195 45 R15 is only 557mm, that's a massive -50mm, 25mm drop in height and a huge wheel arch gap (the car has already been lowered and will not be going any lower) + that would put the speedo seriously out of whack. I'm actually thinking maybe 195 55? 185 55 is the lowest profile I would be willing to go (that's what I've got on the Golf at the moment and it looks nice - I will try to test fit them on the e30 on the weekend and see how that looks...).

Also important point made by Dylan, tyres will look/bulge differently depending on brand. Apparently Yokohama S.dives supposedly have a very firm sidewall and I like their tread design - any thoughts?

[dylan8]

id say thats correct with the Sdrives. found mine very straight when i fitted a 205/45on a 9, now the front 195/45s are stretched over a 8 and look the same. mounting point seemed to really lift up.
Did find them noisey but not sure if thats because of how they were stretched.
my Contintals while being within legal reuirements (215/40s on a 8.5 and 225/40 on 9) give a really 'round' look.
my falken 452s, 215/35 on a 8.5 actually 'suck in' on the inside, while the outside seems really natural like the continentals.

[Domel]

Ok, I think I've decided to go 185 60. After doing some extensive research I've narrowed my options to the following:

Conti Premium Contact 2
Yokohama C.drive
Dunlop Fast Response

Looking for any feedback from anyone - which ones would you recommend and why?

Also Dylan, what do you mean by 'round' look? Stretch?

Cheers,
Dom

[dylan8]

S Drives seem to have a thick or stiff side wall and it stayed straight where as my DWS seem to have a soft side wall, meaning it takes the flex of the straight and tends to keep the mounting point of the tyre looking a bit more normal