Shoes for 16" Aluminum Rims
 

When I purchased my 2008 xD I upgrade it with the 16" Aluminum Factory Rims which came with Dunlop SL Sport 5000 size 195/60/R16. It's time for new shoes and this size SUCKS not to mention that it's almost impossible to find! I really like Bridgestone tires... so I am looking at the Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid size 205/55/R16 as an option. Has anyone used this tire size on their xD? My concern is possible rubbing issues as well as passing (PA) state inspection?

Thanks for any help in advance!
LittleBastard

You should be fine with that size (both for rubbing and inspection). They would be 10mm wider but .3" shorter in overall diameter. Your speedo would be off by less than 1mph... so no real concerns there either.

AWESOME... thanks for the help!

What he said, 205/55 is the proper tire size for our wheels IMO anyway, the whole 195/60 seems like one of those OEM ploys to make the uninformed spend an assload on tires, because tire dealers will almost always suggest the OEM size first. It's the difference in a 110$ crap OEM tire and a 60$ better performance tire, and most uninformed customers will go back and get that 110$ tire every time.

OK... so here are all the numbers... which tire size do you think would be the "BETTER" fit!?

Stock size - 195/60R16
Tire #1 - 205/55R16
Tire #2 - 205/60R16

Stock Tire - 195/60R16
Section Width: 7.67 in 195mm
Rim Diameter: 16 in 406.4 mm
Rim Width Range: Unrecognized tire size.
Overall Diameter: 25.21 in 640.33 mm
Sidewall Height: 4.60 in 116.84 mm
Radius: 12.60 in 320.04 mm
Circumference: 79.19 in 2011.4 mm
Revs per Mile: 825.0
Actual Speed: 60 mph 100 km/h
Speedometer Difference: - N/A
Diameter Difference: - N/A

Tire 1 - 205/55R16
Section Width: 8.07 in 205 mm
Rim Diameter: 16 in 406.4 mm
Rim Width Range: 5.5 - 7.5 in
Overall Diameter: 24.87 in 631.69 mm
Sidewall Height: 4.43 in 112.52 mm
Radius: 12.43 in 315.72 mm
Circumference: 78.13 in 1984.5 mm
Revs per Mile: 836.3
Speedometer1: 60.8 mph 101. km/h
Speedometer Difference: 1.369% too fast
Diameter Difference: 1.35%

Tire 2 - 205/60R16
Section Width: 8.07 in 205 mm
Rim Diameter: 16 in 406.4 mm
Rim Width Range:5.5 - 7.5 in
Overall Diameter: 25.68 in 652.27 mm
Sidewall Height: 4.84 in 122.93 mm
Radius: 12.84 in 326.13 mm
Circumference: 80.67 in 2049.0 mm
Revs per Mile:809.9
Speedometer1: 58.9 mph 98.1 km/h
Speedometer Difference: 1.864% too slow
Diameter Difference: 1.84%

205/55/16

All things being equal (using the same suspension set-ups and same brand, model, and speed rating of tire), the 205/55R16 will have a slightly sportier feel than its 205/60R15 counterpart, which will likely have a softer ride.

The "55" or "60" denotes a ratio between its tread width and the rim diameter. A smaller number means a "lower profile" (oddly, you almost never hear of "higher profile", even when dealing with truck customers who sometimes want a larger/taller circumference tire).

Keep in mind that "55" series tire compared to a "60" series may be more slightly susceptible to sidewall damage if you hit a pothole or curb hard enough, since the sidewall generally has less absorption as it becomes less wide. But honestly, it's an extremely slight difference in risk. Only if you drive regularly on the worst of poorly-maintained roads will this make a difference (I'd suggest a different vehicle, in that case).

The Turanza EL400 in the 195/60R16 doesn't even come with a treadwear mileage warranty (which is typical for most factory-supplied original equipment [OE]-spec tires), but it still has a warranty against defects and workmanship.

Look at it this way, at least we're not stuck with an oddball rim width, such as 21".

Tire options in the OEM size are seriously limited, as you mentioned... but I'd just like to stick in here that Nokian has a 195/60-16 in their Hakkapeliitta R line. It is a true snow tire, but it also has good all-season performance, including a lower rolling resistance than most all-season tires.