50 vs 55

[TeeNoo]

Hello to you all,

I intend to shift form 50 to 55 tires. Can you give me some pro and cons?

Best wishes,

[RustyFrye]

Re: 50 vs 55

Try searching this website for "235/55" and you find plenty of posts about that subject.

[FritsB]

Re: 50 vs 55

Hi T,

Welcome to TBN.
I noticed you list Bucharest as city, are you located in Romenia?
If so tell us more on how you got the T-Bird. There are so few around in Europe.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: 50 vs 55

Pro: Fills the wheel well nicely. To me anyway, better ride and handling. More choices of style.

Con: It throws off your Speedometer. Careful how much load to put in the trunk, on bumps, loaded, they will tap the upper wheel well.

Decision: I'd do it. Well, actually I have. No Regrets.

[DavidA]

Re: 50 vs 55

Actually the Speedo is more accurate, at least with the '02s. We discovered this on several trips with other TBirds and also comparing the speedo with the GPS. I think the car is better with the 55s and have no rubbing at all.

DO IT!!!!!!!!

[ScottyNeutron]

Re: 50 vs 55

Having been to Bucharest, and knowing what those streets are like, I would recommend the switch to the taller tires. It's either that, or keep the Thunderbird parked and drive the Dacia!

[bronzebird]

Re: 50 vs 55

Ol' Dave, I agree with David A.

My car rides better and looks better with the 55's versus the 50's it used to run on.

Also, the speedo is right on with my GPS indicated speed.

Bronzebird

[Bradford]

Re: 50 vs 55

I changed from 50's to 55's when I replaced my rims a couple of years ago. I wanted to get a larger tire in the opening, wanted to fill it a little more, car rides smother, looks better. I load the hell out of my car when I travel and have never had a problem with rubbing. And like others have stated, my speedometer is actually more accurate than with the 50's. I would definitely make the change if I hadn't already.

[MEK04]

Re: 50 vs 55

I changed to 55 and have travelled about 1,600K (1,000 mi). Like the way they fill the wheel wells. Speedo more accurate but not perfect. No problems bottoming out with a full load in the trunk.

With 30lbs pressure, back end seems to float. Will increase air pressure.

[RustyFrye]

Re: 50 vs 55

Actually the Speedo is more accurate

DavidA in a Speedo???!!!! TMI!!!!!

[02TBIRD]

Re: 50 vs 55

I put 235/55's on mine last year, and so far and 10,000
miles later, no problems at all.

02Tbird

[Blue Heaven]

Re: 50 vs 55

For those that made the switch to 55's, did you stay with the 235 size?

[RustyFrye]

Re: 50 vs 55

For those that made the switch to 55's, did you stay with the 235 size?

Yes. Vogues white with gold line. Love the look.

[TeeNoo]

Re: 50 vs 55

Thank you ! It was useful.

[TeeNoo]

Re: 50 vs 55

Hi T,

Welcome to TBN.
I noticed you list Bucharest as city, are you located in Romania?
If so tell us more on how you got the T-Bird. There are so few around in Europe.

I wish to thank you all for the useful info's. I am new here and very excited.
I have imported the car from Florida to Romania. ( Not an easy task
and quite expensive) but end of the day "a dream come true".
I loved it !
Last week I received for US a new set of white wall tires 55. I drove for one mile and then I saw that all the white was teared apart. It was just a paint :flames:. As I sad, I'm new into this and learning is costly.

Photos will come soon.

Best of luck to you all.