What tyres on 16" 6.5J wheels

[mr2_mat]

So, I inherited a free set of 16" wheels with 5x114.3 PCD, and I believe a 45mm offset, so theoretically these wheels will fit the MR2, but the question is what tyres would I put on them?

According to what I have found so far, recommended tyre widths for 6.5J wheels are 185 minimum, 195 or 205 recommended and 215 max... but how hard and fast is that rule?... could I put a 225 width tyre on the rear? What would be the implications of doing so? Is anyone on here currently running with tyres wider than the recommended max width for the rims (or has anyone ever done so in the past)? So far, the only generic information that I can find is: "A rim that is too narrow in relation to the tyre width will allow the tyre to distort excessively sideways under fast cornering".

If I were to stick with the max recommended tyre width of 215 for the rears, what tyre width should I go for on the front, 195?... Or is running 215 on the rear not recommended (although I believe that some revs may have had 215 width rear tyres fitted as standard)?

I currently have a rev 3 fitted with standard 15" 6J fronts fitted with 195 width tyres and 15" 7J rears fitted with 225 width tyres. These are fitted with track tyres, so I was looking to use a second set of wheels for normal road driving. Any advise or considered thoughts welcomed.

[Lee8ballauto]

I run a 215 on a 7j rim and they are a smidge wider than my rim tbh I wouldn't put anything bigger than a 215 on your 6.5 it'll look daft for a start lol

[HighwayStar]

I likewise wouldn't exceed the max ... it's there for a reason. So with a 215 max on the rear a 195 front would give you a 20mm difference which I personally think is the best ratio. It leaves you slightly under sized on the rear but if you're happy with that no problem. Rev 1s had 205 rear rubber when new... but then a lot of people spun them apparently. Stick a 12mm spacer on the rear to simulate the wheel width stagger and away you go...

R.