Stock 850 tire size?

Post by **micah861** » 24 Oct 2009, 19:01

its a turbo, so it has 16" rims, but what should the width and profile be? swapped a couple tires on it and noticed alot of rub damage. being as i assume its at the stock height, and doesnt have spacers, idk why it would rub like this

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Oct 2009, 19:44

That is a good question that really doesn't have a good answer.

The original T5s came with 205-50-R16s and Columba wheels. Nearly all of the Columba wheels bent so they had a recall and issued a credit for new wheels and 205-55-R16 tires.

I still have 205-50-16 tires on Columba rims on my '94 (they couldn't have been original since it is a N/A car and the sticker on the fuel door calls for 15" tires) - That ain't gonna work.

My '96 Platinum turbo calls for 205-55-R16s and that is what it has on the Platinum Persus rims.

The ride and handling difference between the '94 and the '96 Platinum is stark. The '94 on the Columba wheels handles great, even with really crappy original OEM Sachs/Boge struts and shocks at over 225k miles on them. The ride on the '94 is horrible - you can feel every pebble on the road.

The handling on the Platinum, even with new Bilstien TC shocks and struts within the last year, is not as good as the '94 but the ride comfort is night and day different from road noise when compared to the '94 with the lower profile tires.

Granted, I don't have the best handling tires on the Platinum. I think they are some Hankook something or another's - poor people have poor ways. I have Goodyear Eagle tires on the '94.

At the end of the day you will likely be happy with a good quality set of 205-55-R16 tires on your car, the speedometer will be off just a touch at highway speeds.

...Lee

Post by **micah861** » 24 Oct 2009, 20:02

ok, that could explain my rubbing...i wanna say it had 225-45's on it. i cant say for sure cause its at the college's body shop now, but thats what i recall them being. the considerable extra width would cause the rubbing i saw

TheWagles · Post by **TheWagles** » 08 Aug 2013, 18:05

I have a 94 850 Turbo with what I believe to be the Columba Rims. What do the replacement rims look like? It has 205-55-16's Michelins currently. I am looking to replace the tires as they are shot. Any thoughts on a good, affordable tire?