I know plus sizing to 205-50-16 from a stock wheel 195-60-15 will enhance the handling of a car, but is it a dramatic improvement over a plus zero 205-55-15?

Larger wheels by themselves do not cause better handling.

Stronger wheels, stiffer wheels, or lighter wheels probably would.

Most people get better handling from their new tires which are often a higher performance model and newer than the ones they took off.

When Road & Track tested a BMW with stock wheels, +1, +2, and +3 wheels with the same tires, they found that the stock wheels performed the best. They did lap times on a race track, skid pan G-force, and stopping distance.

They were surprised. They asked a BMW engineer for a possible explanation, his reply? "Well we did tune the suspension for the original wheel size you know."

Big wheels do LOOK great!
--
2 8s & 2 7s 600,000 miles total

Well, new tires will always give you great performance--because they're new.

But as they wear normally, performance diminishes--you start hearing squeals as you make quick turns.

This is the case with the stock 195-60-15 whether they are cheap Pep Boys tires or the Michelin Pilots that I've replaced them with.

I've heard from a few brick drivers that doing a plus zero will improve both the looks and performance on turns.

I just wonder if plus sizing would make a dramatic difference (just a side note, I'm keeping my stock Boge shocks and springs, but will be installing iPd's anti-sway bars and an OMP strut brace).

Interesting note on the Road&Track test though--musn't under estimate Volvo engineering.

And yes, big wheels do look great! On BMWs most specially.

i read that r&t story...kinda weird though...they didn't use the same tires and same rims...they had different design rims with different line/brand tires. wonder why? if they'd really wanna to c just the diff in size..shouldn't they keep everything the same?

anyway, i had 16" pilot hx and switched those to 17" pzeros, and i can say there's a huge difference in performance. ride was stiffer, turns in crisper, the inside tire doesn't light up as easily coming off corners/turns. then i switched it to 16" pilot alpins for ski trips and boy, it's a huge diff. i know i know, the snow tires are squirmy to start with...but still.

I just put 205x55x15's on my 850 glt turbo it had the 195x60x15 stock size. No Rubs, looks alot better, handles/corners better.

i bought BF Goodrich touring TA's

Dan

Ed

I have a stock car with 205-50-16's. The ride is harsher, the handling is better, and I've driven cars with 17's. Ride was very harsh, handling really noticeably better. But it doesn't make for a family car !!!

JD