Stretch Tyres... Again...

[sill-skimmin']

Hi folks, I have been offered a set of wheels (7J x 15        ET38)

Only problem is they have almighty balloon tyres on them - 205/50 x 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seeing as though I am changing the tyres anyway, I would like to fit some tyres that give the stretch look.

Am I right in thinking I should go for 165/50x15?

Also, what brand actually make the tyre - can't seem to find anyone making them.

Any help would be great - Cheers

PS - the wheels have 'RW' stamped on the dish, they are 7 or 9 spoke. Plan on getting them refurbed ready for summer.

[...joe]

it used to be that you bought the lowest profile but now the trend seems to be a higher profile with a skinnier tread to give it that stretched look. don't know of anyone who does tyres in that size but you may also have a job getting people to fit tyres that give a stretched look for the simple fact that they aren't really suitable for the rim, no matter how cool they look! you have to think that most reputable tyre fitters wont be happy sending you out on a set of tyres they don't think are safe.

[Horney]

Check out www.mytyres.co.uk

You can fiddle about to find the size they want and all prices include delivery.

As for the stretch look I guess it's safe to a point. My mini runs 12x 6J minilights and 165 60 R12's this gives a strecthed look and is safe, the fact of the matter is tho that these are the widest tyres you can get in 12's!!!!

Also some brands look less wide than others. I originally had Falkens on the mini and they looked really stretched whereas the yokos look quite a lot wider even tho both tyres are exactly the same size. Go figure!

Nick

[...joe]

yeah i get what your saying, some tyres look alot more stretched than others, but a 165 on a 6" wheel is better than an 165 on a 7"!!!

[Horney]

Agreed, I wouldn't want anything that skinny on a 7" wide wheel, corner overly fast and I could imagine the tyre coming away from the rim causing a blowout and a nasty spin.

[jv]

195/45's would look pretty slim. I think Dunlop do a 195/40

style dynamix are good people to talk to about this

[eyeletboy]

And avon do i got 195/45's on the sportline

[monkeyalan]

as an ex-tyre fitter I'd seriously advise against stretching tyres onto rims. during hard(ish) cornering, not only is there the likelihood of damaging the sidewall support structure, but literally pulling the tyre out of the rim bead.......CRASH!