Hey Fit freaks, new member here. First post, I was hoping I could get some guidance. I just ordered 15"x7" 38mm offset wheels for my 2013 and was wondering what size tires I should go with? 195 vs 205 Im on stock suspension for now, and I want to be as close to stock tire height as possible. I guess the cons of a smaller tire is wheel gap will be more and cons of a taller tire is rubbing when I finally get coilovers. Any suggestions on 195 vs 205 and what side wall height? I already did a comparison on a website but still undecided. Thanks!

 

Well, with a 205 you're stuck with a 205/50 which is about an inch shorter then stock. A 195/60 will be a smidge taller then stock. I have 195/60r15 on 15x7 +35 wheels with Swift springs and very rarely will get a slight buzz from the front fender liner, where it sticks out. Nothing to be concerned with, and I 'm sure easily fixed. When I go to a real sticky tire, I'll be going 205/50, But I had these tires laying around and chose to use them up first. I also run 195/65r15" in the winter, they still work fine, but obviously rub that much easier.

 

Thank you!

 

Wanted to offer a little math regarding total assy circumference. Sidewall height is a percentage of width, and all the above listed tire sizes would work.

US sport model wheel and tire assy: 185/55/16: 185 x .55 = 101.75mm ÷ 25.4 = 4.00" + 16" = 20" total circumference
16x7 (non-stretched) wheel and tire assy: 205/50/16: 205 x .50 = 102.5 mm ÷25.4 = 4.03" + 16" = 20.03" total circumference
US base model wheel and tire assy: 175/65/15: 175 x .65 = 113.75mm ÷ 25.4 = 4.47" + 15" = 19.47" total circumference
Other listed 16x7 wheel and tire assy: 195/65/15: 195 x .65 = 126.75mm ÷ 25.4 = 4.99" + 15" = 19.99"
Other listed 15x7 wheel and tire assy: 195/60/16: 195 x .60 = 117mm ÷ 25.4 = 4.60" + 16* = 20.6"

 

I should say my numbers were based on a Sport model, being a 24.01" tire. 195/60r15 is 24.21", and a 205/50r15 is 23.07". So if you don't lower it a bit, the 205 is gonna look kinda silly.

 

Sorry man, I was a little tactless in my response and that's not cool. I posted after waking up on the couch at 6 😂 I haven't actually measured the assembled set-ups, I was just going by the math that I picked up as a tire guy a decade back. Without trying to start a conflict of any sort, I do think your numbers are high and am curious as to how you got them, but only to the end of helping the OP.

A 205/50/15 would definitely be a bit funny at an inch short, but the assembly height should be:
205mm x .50 (aspect ratio)= 102.5mm ÷ 25.4 (conversion to imperial inches) = 4.03" + 15" (wheel height) =19.03" total assembly height. That may not count for swelling caused by inflation, but then there's also compression caused by vehicle weight.

I'll go measure my 205/50/16 assembly to verify the math approximately. It's been my discovery that no two rulers/tape measures, ect. are the same if you actually line them up, but the variance is often minimal.. just enough to bite me in the butt when making furniture. And then I learned about why people use jigs. 😂

 

No worries. Seems like 205 50 15 is best answer but that's such a smaller wheel IMO. 205 55 15 is pretty close to stock tire diameter. Just not sure how bad it will rub.

 

205/55r15 is just a very rare tire size, so depending what you're looking for, you may be limited.

 

Here's some bad pictures of my new K1's (15x7 +38) on 195/60s.the front pokes a little, but no rubbing so far. Stock ride hight.