205/65/15 Vs. 205/60/16 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

haa21 · 09-23-2003, 08:50 AM

I have a 2000 Camry LE-V6 with the stock 205/65/15's. I've checked with Tire Rack and they recommend the 205/60/16's (which was optional on my car) for an upgrade. The tire calculator indicates these two sizes are very close. With this upgrade the width of the tire remains the same, but the sidewall is reduced slightly. My main question is what will the benefit be (if any) by going up to a 16 inch wheel with 205/60/16 tires from the stock 205/65/15 tires? Thanks!

Nick · 09-23-2003, 09:16 AM

not a whole lot

but with a 16 inch wheel you can fit some lower sidewall tires, which are usually stiffer and handle a bit better

but 17-18 would be better for those purposes, 16in is a very safe rim size, you're not likely to damage the rims much

you can fit 215/60R15 on there, same radius and you have an extra cm width, find some good stiff tires in that size and you'll be laughing

VVT-i Owns · 09-23-2003, 11:38 AM

Agreed

215 60 16 is what comes OEM on SE and XLE

If ur goin after market why only up 1 inch?

haa21 · 09-23-2003, 12:18 PM

I have access to a brand new set of 16" OEM wheels from a 2004 Avalon and that is why I am asking specifically about upgrading from 15" to 16" wheels. I thought I'd post that so I don't just get a lot of people simply asking, "Why don't you get 17" wheels?" instead of providing information.

Nick · 09-23-2003, 05:26 PM

free is the only thing better than cheap, so ok, go with 16's

but you should look into getting some width on those shoes 215, 225 if your car's not lowered, give her some serious traction

Bensa · 09-23-2003, 05:59 PM

Free Rims?

Hell I for sure will go 16"

but right now I'm happy with the performance on my Camry with 215/60/15 tires.

I would suggest u go with something like 215/55/16 or something

Ikon · 09-23-2003, 06:23 PM

i definately agree with moving up to the 16's if its for free. thats not even a question. in terms of performance the wider the contact patch the better the grip if you were going to actually by 16" that'd be a different question. but the avalon rims might look kinda funny on a camry..depends on which one you have

Canoe2 · 09-23-2003, 09:26 PM

How much improvement in handling if I switch to 17" rim for Gen5 LE V6 ? Currently I have 205 65R15.
Any suggestion for 17" rim style and tize size ?

Thanks

haa21 · 09-24-2003, 08:02 AM

I attached a link to a pic of the wheels from the Avalon. Tire Rack told me that I HAVE to use 205/60/16's with these. I'm not sure why, especially when the 16' TRD wheels are 215/55/16's. I do notice that all of the OEM tires for the Solaro, Camry, and Avalon are the 205/60/16's.

http://www.toyota.com/avalon/

***Silver Streak*** · 09-24-2003, 09:34 AM

You should use 215/55/16 if your stock tire is 205/65/15. That's what I've been using for the last 2-3 years. Neither sizes are perfect, the 215/55s are a just a tad small, and 215/60s are a bit big, actually too big in my opinion. I think I tried on a 215/60/16 tire on my car (not lowered at the rime) and it didn't fit...looked way too big.

I'm a 16" rim user because they're more comfortable, harder to curb your rims, lighter (well it depends...cheap rim vs cheap rims), and mainly because they are cheaper for both the rim and tire....

Alternatively, you could use 225/55/16.....

***Silver Streak*** · 09-24-2003, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by haa21
I thought I'd post that so I don't just get a lot of people simply asking, "Why don't you get 17" wheels?" instead of providing information.

Ahh...people don't realize that not everyone here is just looking for info on how to mod their car...some people like you just need regular information. And heck, you can't go wrong with free rims...

VVT-i Owns · 09-24-2003, 11:45 PM

Wow free OEM rims off a brand new car :o

haa21 · 09-30-2003, 01:30 PM

Well, I ordered my wheels. They are the OEM wheels off of a 2003 Camry SE. (It is nice to have a friend that works at a dealership!) They will arrive in 1 week. I think I will go with 215/55/16 ConitExtremeContact tires by Continental. I hope they fit!

haa21 · 10-10-2003, 10:27 AM

Well, my wheels came. I went to the tire place and had them mounted with my new tires. When I left the parking lot I heard some noise. Yup, those 215/55/16's rub against the rear strut tower. I had to go back in and have a 3mm spacer put on both rear wheels.

These 2003 Camry SE wheels look great on my 2000 Camry. I took some before and after pics. If I can figure out how to attach them I will post the pics.

haa21 · 10-27-2003, 11:06 AM

Here is a picture of the new wheels...