Here's a question.

15", 16" and apparently now 17" rims are an option on the R8. Working on an SLR of about 600mm, you need to go down to 45 or 50 profile tyres for the larger rims, but the standard steel 14" wheels take a 65 profile tyre.

How do low-profile tyres feel compared to standard profile ones? Is the ride hardness very noticeable? I know there will be less tyre roll, etc. but I'm aiming for comfort, not speed...

Bone shaking on current roads and you will also track where the road is worn sometime almost taking the steering wheel out of your hand.

I fitted 18" straights to my 75 once, i took them off after 3 days as i just couldn't live with it following the road on its own course.

I have 55 profile tyres on my 15"alloys (as the optional wheel/tyre combo). Compared to the standard profile tyres on the 14" rims, the ride is noticeably harder, but the steering is more precise and there is less "roll" in turns. The 55 profiles are not that much broader, which is part of the reason for "tramlining" which is what 1234dist mentions. The harder sidewall and broad tread of the ultra low-profile tyres makes the wheels far more likely to "lock on" to white lines and parallel lorry ruts in roads. One of the worst cars I ever drove for this was the BMW Z4 - which had a ride much like the 75 as described by 1234dist

You all must be getting old think that's bad try driving a BMW M car with run flats and a 30 profile

1234dist wrote:Bone shaking on current roads and you will also track where the road is worn sometime almost taking the steering wheel out of your hand.

I fitted 18" straights to my 75 once, i took them off after 3 days as i just couldn't live with it following the road on its own course.

Julesmat50 wrote:I have 55 profile tyres on my 15"alloys (as the optional wheel/tyre combo). Compared to the standard profile tyres on the 14" rims, the ride is noticeably harder, but the steering is more precise and there is less "roll" in turns. The 55 profiles are not that much broader, which is part of the reason for "tramlining" which is what 1234dist mentions. The harder sidewall and broad tread of the ultra low-profile tyres makes the wheels far more likely to "lock on" to white lines and parallel lorry ruts in roads. One of the worst cars I ever drove for this was the BMW Z4 - which had a ride much like the 75 as described by 1234dist

JOHNDQ wrote:You all must be getting old think that's bad try driving a BMW M car with run flats and a 30 profile

Thanks for all the replies. I may have to rethink my alloy policy then. I'm pretty used to the steel wheels so the closest fit is the 14" cross-spokes which I have a full set of. I do have a set of 7-spokes too. I've only ever considered alloys to be a decorative thing TBH, not really interested in extra handling.

I suppose I could try putting subtly larger profile tyres on 15" rims, like a 60 profile if such a thing exists, accepting the problem of slower acceleration, a speedo that reads too low, and potential wheel arch liner scrapes.

If you fit a non factory option wheel as a 17" definitely is and probably a 16" too [unless that was an option on the 220?] that's a modification and could well increase your insurance premium!

A wheel that tramlines at speed is a horrible experience too!

Lower profile will almost certainly mean wider which will give you clearance problems, especially at the front. MGs had lock-stops fitted to prevent this.

If you want comfort on an R8 remember that the diesels and the 420 non-Sport derivatives came with 175/70R14s but with a raised ride height.

The 195/50R15 represents a cheaper option to the 185/55 as it's a more common fitment

The largest wheel/tyre specification in Jan' 93 was 15 inch alloys [ 7 or 6 spoke] with 195 x 55 radial tyres spec'ed for the 220 Turbo.

Mr Teddy Bear wrote:The largest wheel/tyre specification in Jan' 93 was 15 inch alloys [ 7 or 6 spoke] with 195 x 55 radial tyres spec'ed for the 220 Turbo.

195/50 on Turbo so it was bigger than the 185/55 introduced on the GTi. They are nearly the same Static Laden Radius.

I did wonder about that while looking it up! must be a typo in the catalogue