Best 16" Tire Aspect and Width for 1987 Coupe?

[Broncos]

I finally have some decent rims for my coupe but need new tires. Best aspect/width in 16 inch for a nice look and handling? Any recommendations? Thanks

[hornhospital]

225/55/16 in the brand of your choice. I use Hankook Ventus 2. Good grip wet or dry, smooth riding, not noisy.

SylviawithElyseewheels_copy_1000x444.jpg (194.42 KiB) Viewed 3851 times

[tschultz]

205/55/16 on 7-7.5" wheel, 225/50/16 on 8" wide wheel.

[Broncos]

So first size you mention fitted to front and second to the rears I assume, and I need two different rim sizes? What do you like about this combination? Thanks

[wattsmonkey]

What's the width and offset of your wheels? Post a picture, too. Everyone gets on board with wheel discussion!


205/55r16 front; 225/50r16 rear as fitted to Alpina staggered set up cars.

225/50r16 front; 245/45r16 rear as fitted to Hartge staggered set up cars

225/55r16 is size fitted to E34s.

They all work! I've got the Hartge setup on the 16" Hartge rims and it works well, but getting tyres is problematic for the rear.

I'm running 17" Style 5s - just because I can get a set of MIchelin Pilot Sport 4s for them at a very reasonable price - and they are amazing - also, They say "Michelin Pilot Sport 4" on them with chequers, which can only be a good thing.

The 16s offer a better ride (and - as you've probably noticed - everyone runs 17" style 5s!)

[tschultz]

My preference is a 7 or 7.5" wheel up front with the 205/55/16. I like square setups for rotating and tire wear but staggered 8" rears would use the 225/50/16.

The narrower wheel and tire akes the car feel lighter in the steering and more nimble.

17's look better but dont ride or handle as nice.

[Broncos]

Thanks, I picked up some style 5's in 16 rims - need to check width on these rims but believe they will most likely be 7 inch or 7.5's. I like the idea of the wider tire in the back but this would necessitate finding 8 inch rims and being able to rotate 4 tires vs 2 more practical, thanks again!

Update! Thecode on rims says j8x16 looks like 8 inch rims, yes?

[wattsmonkey]

Raking through my memory here, but watch out, you might have clearance issues.

If they fit without needing hubcentric rings then they are most likely E32 rims. 8J is the width, but what's the offset?

From memory, these are ET23 (as a negative offset, so the rim sits closer to the car rather than the kerb).

I had these on one of my sixers and I think I had to fit 215 section tyres to stop them fouling on the strut at the front.

Rear no problem at all.

As I say, please check, but if they are 8J ET23, then you are likely to have issues.

[Broncos]

Thanks! I suppose I could now try to find 7's in a 16 inch rim for the fronts . . . always something, thanks, will take a closer look

[wattsmonkey]

Indeed - if you buy a set of the 7", you can always sell the spare half-and-half to another E24/E28 owner - they do look the part.