Thread: rims and tires
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  #11  
Old December 19th 05, 12:20 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata
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Default rims and tires

Thank you guys for all your info I'm learning more from this group about
the rims and tires that I ever knew I like all the info everyone gives its
a big help
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone

"pws" > wrote in message
...
>L Bader wrote:
>> If you are set on going to 16" rims, the two sizes you should look at
>> a
>>
>> - 215/40R16 (0.4% change in size)
>> - 205/45R16 (2.6% increase in size)
>>
>> The 40-profile tires will give a harsher ride, and greater risk of
>> damage with pot-holed streets.

>
> Barely. The 205/40/16 tires I have are almost the exact same profile
> height as the 195/50/15's on my last miata.
>
>> Both will increase your contact patch, but unless you are adding
>> power, you will only see a cornering improvement. (And with the 215's
>> a potential decrease in acceleration...)

>
> You will only see a cornering improvement in some situations. The car will
> have more grip, but it will loose "tossability" with any increase in wheel
> width.
> Of course, the autocross people running 13X8's are not finding it too much
> of a problem. ;-)
>
>> Regardless, you will have a *hard* time finding a 16" rim and tire
>> combo that is equal to or lighter than the stock rims. (Stock 15"
>> 5-spoke is just at 15-lbs...) -- Those that you will find are
>> normally moderate to high dollar items.

>
> The stock 15" 5-spoke miata alloy is 13.2 pounds if we are talking about
> the style that was introduced with the M2.
> I have weighed them on a digital scale and it matches the weight listed on
> miata.net.
> The forged 16X7 SSR's are something like 10 1/2 pounds, and yes, they are
> very expensive.
>
>
>> Lanny's post is best on the mark if you are not looking any farther
>> (performance wise) than changing the rims/tires. -- For that I would
>> advise the Konig Heliums w/ 195/50R15s
>>
>> - L

>
> I would definitely stay with 195/50/15's if there are no plans to increase
> the power to a large degree.
>
> There are a lot of advantages to the smaller and less expensive wheels;
> less expensive tires, generally less wheel weight per dollar spent, and
> less cost if you ruin one, plus thieves tend to ignore 14 and 15 inch
> wheels for the most part.
>
> I could find a replacement wheel for my last miata for about $80.00 if I
> ruined it. That has now changed to over $300.00, yikes! I "curb-surf" a
> bit more carefully these days.
>
> Pat



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