225/50 vs 205/55 - Kris Hansen?
01-07-2007, 06:18 AM
#11
225 is the way to go. The difference is slight to the eye, but to the car, it's significant.
I ran 225s on my A4. went back to 205s when the wife started driving that car for less cost, and better fuel mileage (slightly better anyway.. )
01-07-2007, 07:10 AM
#12
"Different", but not "better"? More grip potentially, but grip is technically not "handling".
Are the differences you report: heavier steering feel, more hydroplaning, greater rolling resistance, increased unsprung mass and slower suspension response? Those characteristics would indeed make the handling "different" but not necessarily better, imo.
If you say that wider size offers increased grip, in some conditions yes, but grip and handling are two different things. My point also is that unless you are breaking loose on street pavment wider tread is not ANY better and, in fact, worse.
If you say that wider size offers increased grip, in some conditions yes, but grip and handling are two different things. My point also is that unless you are breaking loose on street pavment wider tread is not ANY better and, in fact, worse.
01-07-2007, 10:58 AM
#14
I prefer the 225 as well. It might be a tad heavier, but IMHO, it makes the car feel more stable.
I don't know if the difference is in a slight difference of sidewall height, or what, but I liked the 225s better than the same make and model of 205.
01-07-2007, 12:50 PM
#16
Could the numb reduced steering feel be mistaken for "stability" when it's technically less stable?
I'm not sure it is actually technically more stable with the wider tire, just more numb, which is mistaken for "stability". If wider is always better, why not 245s?
01-07-2007, 04:37 PM
#19
No A4s have any steering feel anyway, so what's the difference?
I mean, compared to a Mac strut car, the 4 link suspension is totally without any feeling.
I didn't notice any change in steering feel when I went to 225s over 205s. The only time I notice any change in feel is when I swap over to the snow tires, the steering effort decreases. But then, I also get more understeer and more lean.
I fail to see how 25mm more in cross section would make a car less stable as you claim. If that were the case, everyone would be running the hot ticket 195s on 15 inch wheels, but that's clearly not the case.
I didn't notice any change in steering feel when I went to 225s over 205s. The only time I notice any change in feel is when I swap over to the snow tires, the steering effort decreases. But then, I also get more understeer and more lean.
I fail to see how 25mm more in cross section would make a car less stable as you claim. If that were the case, everyone would be running the hot ticket 195s on 15 inch wheels, but that's clearly not the case.
01-07-2007, 07:19 PM
#20
lol, I have McPhersons.
I'm not an expert on suspension geometry, but afaik widening the contact patch makes it less stable, narrowing it makes it more stable. I think you know where I'm getting at in the discussion- that people tend to idealize the notion of dry grip in terms of it's overall relation to other parameters that are negatively affected by wider/heavier tires. I can name 5-6 attributes that may be negatively impacted verses the often-cited claim of "more grip" or even less credibly, the claim of "stability". I think I respect the frank exclaim of "wider looks cooler" than technical arguments that are meritless.