To those who've tried both 185/55 and 195/50

[Swervin_Mervin]

What you reckon?

Having driven the Xsara a few weeks now I reckon it's 195/55 profile GSD2s are better than my 195/50 GSD3s. Main reason being a slightly softer ride allowing better control on our dog turd roads.

Anyone tried 2 sizes of the same tyre (ish) on a clio?

[Zollo]

Yes, and I'm confused! I was more than happy with the 185s on my old Clio, and even more so once I'd driven the 195s on my new Clio, which gave a much harsher ride for not much more outright grip and precision. Then I put the 185s back on my new one, and the ride is very nearly as bad and you really can feel the sidewall flexing. I'm going to reserve judgement until my suspension is fully sorted and I can try them back-to-back (road and track wheels).

[J o n]

yeah tried both... 185's grip almost as well, give more roll but seem to be better balanced all round on give and take roads. i'd imagine 195/50 to be better on track, but would need to try them first... tbh I'd stick with 185/55 if you can justify the price as they are certainly comfier and the performance/grip you theoretically get when changing to 195/50 is arguable at best...

[richy]

i have both, on the road the 185/55 is better mainly due to being better at absorbing bumps/pot holes etc, when your sat in bucket seats u notice them more!. with the 195/50 on road the steering and grip do feel abit better, more precise feel on turn in, but tramlines easyier and less forgiving on bumps, were as on track then 185/55 flex to much causing alot of drifty feeling in the car, with the 195/50 onits feels so much more positive on track, bumps are not a concern as track surface tends to be alot better then road, btw these are both goodyear eagle f1 but the 195/50 are GSD3, 185/55 are GSD2, personally id have these in 195/50 over the std size, the bumps doesnt bother me so much, i sit in bucket seats all the time so still feel them lol

[Daz]

I didn't like the 185's on my Williams.. felt like crap.. but then, they weren't a great make.

195/50's are where it's at!

[Martin]

195s all the way for me....because I'm cheap! lol

185/55 are a bit floaty for my tastes...

[Anders]

Cheers guys, now I'm really confused..

About to invest in some good tyres today...now I'm not sure what size to get...

All the websites suggest 185/55 R15 82V

But now you say I could fit 195/50's instead??

HELP

[Swervin_Mervin]

Well, next time mine are up for replacement I think I might try the 185/55 and keep the 195/50s for the track.

[Zollo]

That's my plan. Was even thinking about 195/45s for the track, if I can get hold of some cheap enough. Late Saxos VTS's use them.

[2 live]

i had the original pilots 185s on wen i got mine, also still had them when i had the coilovers fitted and about 6 months after. the car felt ok on the 185s, but i dont like the road scraping me mirrors under harsh cornering hence the coilovers. the 185s felt too sloppy thru the corners, car not being able to change direction as quickly as id like in some cases, and had a tendancy to oversteer, not a good thing when its a series of bends left/right/left etc.


i had the pilot exaltos fitted in 195 fitment, grip was excellent, steering more precise, bumps felt no diff tbh, turn in nice and sharp, and no more fighting with the back end on more challenging corners.

the only problem was..they only lasted about 8000 miles.....

now the pe2s take their place, 12000 mile n still good tread, altho grip has seriously diminished. cant fault em tbh, an i think if u work it thru the corners hard, the 195s the best tyre to go for, the pros far outway the cons, for my style of driving anyway. but all will be diff.

so basically.....the choice is yours.....comfort or handling.??