Running 205/50 R16 on the Abarth

[Mini Cord]

I needed to buy new winter tires for the Abarth. I originally bought the Pirelli Snow Control as it was either that or chinese tires. I hated those Pirellis as they have absolutely no traction on ice or snow.

As most of you know, upsizing to 205/45 R16 is not an option either as I could only find Pirelli winter tires in that size.

So, I went to Michelins 205/50 R16 and decided to risk it after finding some posts that say they will fit.

Well, they "fit", rear is no problem. Front they will rub a bit against the plastic fender liner on full lock, but not enough to bother me. However, what a difference do they make, I got traction!

Here are some pictures.











Hope this helps someone!

[express_wagon]

Never thought I would say this, those 205s look meaty. Nice job. Kind of stinks it rubs on full lock as these cars already have such terrible turning radius as is.

[Mini Cord]

You still get the same turning radius. Funny, they rub more in reverse.

Also, the speedometer (analog) is finally accurate.

[TheFirstRedYoshi]

I can't wrap my head around the turning radius of this car.

I thought my Focus ST was crazy...that thing may as well have been an F150 with a 39ft turning circle VS 37ft in the Abarth. But the Abarth makes even less sense, given the size of the car. I once drove a Scion IQ, and pretty sure you could drive that car within a foot of a person and complete the full circle turn without ever leaving that foot of space. It was comical.

[xbondpx]

Can someone post pictures with this setup (205/50r16)?

[kasabarth13]

I had Riken 205/45/16s installed for $370 and they are pretty nice ride. Riken, for those who didn't know like me, is a Michelins budget brand so they are nice tires incase anyone is looking.

[cmouta]

I went 195/50/R16 with my blizzaks. It's about .25" larger diameter than the stock 17's but keeping it narrow keeps from rubbing and improves snow traction.

[draginator]

I went 195/50/R16 with my blizzaks. It's about .25" larger diameter than the stock 17's but keeping it narrow keeps from rubbing and improves snow traction.

Yay fellow CT resident, how did the tires work for you and any rubbing?

[rustbucket]

Fwiw last winter I ran Blizzak WS80's in the optional factory 205/40R17 size on aftermarket wheels- I didn't want to get involved with mounting/dismounting every winter and I didn't want to subject the factory wheels to a steady dose of salt... they use plenty of it around here. No issues with rubbing, they worked well. Bridgestone didn't make a Blizzak in the base Abarth 195/45R16 size so I went with the 17''s .... I didn't want to experiment with non stock sizes. If you go with an aftermarket wheel, choose a more open design that is less likely to trap snow. Liked the wheels on my previous 500 Sport but they were miserable come winter- stopping to clean out snow trapped in the wheels was a regular occurrence. If you didn't the resulting imbalance was pretty brutal- think Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier for the first time.