205/55R15 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 205/55R15, a performance cars size fitted to BMW M3, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 and more.
What 205/55R15 tires cost
Nankang NS-2
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Federal Super Steel 595
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Kumho Ecsta PS31
Best wet and snow braking, quietest ride, longest tread life. Worth it if you keep the car.
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing, based on what the big US online retailers charge for this size. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $400 to $540, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
About the 205/55R15 size
The 1980s homologation-special size: 205/55VR15 on a 15x7 wheel was what the E30 M3, the 325is, the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth and the Saab 900 SPG wore, usually a Pirelli P700 or Michelin MXV. No bias or whitewall history. Read the speed rating carefully, because this is the size where the classic market and the cheap-tire market overlap: several current 205/55R15 options are only T-rated (118 mph), well under the original V, which is legal but wrong for a car geared to 140. The Kumho and Falken options keep an H or V rating and are worth the premium.
The numbers mean: 205 mm section width, sidewall height 55 % of that width, and a 15-inch rim. Overall diameter works out to about 23.9 inches. Any replacement has to match all three, and the load index and speed rating on your door sticker must be met or exceeded. Our guide on reading a tire size walks through it.
Vehicles that use 205/55R15
- BMW M3 (1988-1991, E30)
- BMW 3 Series (1987-1991, 325is 15 in)
- Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 (1984-1988)
- Saab 900 (1985-1993, Turbo SPG)
Confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering. Optional wheel packages often change the size within the same model.
Which type of 205/55R15 tire?
All-Season Tires
Drivers in the South, West Coast and mild parts of the Midwest who want one set of tires that lasts a long time and is quiet.
Summer Tires
Sports-car and performance-sedan owners, and anyone in a warm climate who wants the best possible grip and steering.
Performance Tires
Owners of sports sedans, hot hatches and performance crossovers who want year-round tires with real handling.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 205/55R15 tires cost?
Expect $75–$95 per tire for a budget brand, $100–$135 for a mid-range tire like the Federal Super Steel 595, and $140–$215 for a premium tire like the Kumho Ecsta PS31. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 205/55R15 tires?
205/55R15 is original equipment on BMW M3 (1988-1991, E30), BMW 3 Series (1987-1991, 325is 15 in), Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 (1984-1988) and Saab 900 (1985-1993, Turbo SPG), among others. Always confirm with the sticker inside your driver's door, because trim levels and wheel packages can change the size.
What is the best 205/55R15 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Federal Super Steel 595, is the sweet spot of price and tread life. If you keep the vehicle a long time or drive in heavy rain and snow, the Kumho Ecsta PS31 is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Nankang NS-2 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 205/55R15 tires?
On a front- or rear-wheel-drive car, yes: replace in pairs on the same axle and put the newer pair on the rear. On all-wheel-drive vehicles most makers want all four replaced together, or a new tire shaved to match, because a difference in circumference strains the drivetrain.