205/50/16 tyres on factory rims

[Bullet Fast]

Thread revival...

I splashed out on some new Michi Pilot Sport 3s over the weekend. Thanks to wet weather boredom and a sale at Tempe Tyres I made a rush move on some 205/50/16s. I'd have to say immediately fairly impressed with the improved ride and crap road compliance. The car looks a bit more grown up now, like it's wearing it's big-boy shoes. Far less boy racer and much more MK5 Golf. Image below. Unfortunately, the better ride has only highlighted how much I dislike my current spring/shock combo with it's saggy waggy ways. Tyres are much wider at the side walls and actually sit proud of the rims by a goooood 15mm or so. A bit of a surprise over all really.

[Eddy]

Hoyhoy.

About time bud.

[h100vw]

Hmmmm shopping in February for me then.

Gavin

[kaanage]

I'd have to say immediately fairly impressed with the improved ride and crap road compliance..... A bit of a surprise over all really.

Who'd a thunk?

[PoloGIT]

Guys, is it going to be blatantly obvious to the casual observer that it's running 50 profile on the back and 45s on the front? I need a pair of new tyres and like the sound of the 50 profile, but the second pair would probably have to wait for 3 months... What do you think? I'm assuming the larger ones would be better in the back? Cheers.

[PoloGIT]

Also keen to know if anyone thinks the resultant change in gearing has taken the edge off the acceleration?

[Stuwey]

Highly doubtful!

[Eddy]

Guys, is it going to be blatantly obvious to the casual observer that it's running 50 profile on the back and 45s on the front? I need a pair of new tyres and like the sound of the 50 profile, but the second pair would probably have to wait for 3 months... What do you think? I'm assuming the larger ones would be better in the back? Cheers.

Hoyhoy.

I'd say go for it, but my preference would be to them on the front, that's where you'll notice a bigger difference.

[Eddy]

Highly doubtful!

Hoyhoy.

I'll go along with that..

[jasn78]

My thoughts on rubber is the more the better, especially for faster acceleration off the mark (mind you running 15 psi on the street probably won't help tyre wear)

[brad]

Guys, is it going to be blatantly obvious to the casual observer that it's running 50 profile on the back and 45s on the front? I need a pair of new tyres and like the sound of the 50 profile, but the second pair would probably have to wait for 3 months... What do you think? I'm assuming the larger ones would be better in the back? Cheers.

Should look fine with the 50s on the rear.

[Bullet Fast]

Guys, is it going to be blatantly obvious to the casual observer that it's running 50 profile on the back and 45s on the front? I need a pair of new tyres and like the sound of the 50 profile, but the second pair would probably have to wait for 3 months... What do you think? I'm assuming the larger ones would be better in the back? Cheers.

A very obvious difference.

[Bullet Fast]

Also keen to know if anyone thinks the resultant change in gearing has taken the edge off the acceleration?

You know I didn't think it'd make any difference, but it did a little bit. But not the way you'd immediately think.

Highly doubtful!

I think it's actually added some straight line grip and speed.

[PoloGIT]

You know I didn't think it'd make any difference, but it did a little bit. But not the way you'd immediately think.

I think it's actually added some straight line grip and speed.

Interesting. OK, I'm sold.

[PoloGIT]

Rears done. Does look a bit more grown up. Looking forward to doing the front to balance it up, but doesn't look too obvious and I doubt anyone else will notice.