On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 01:27:47 GMT, pws > wrote:

>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.

Using 195/50R15 v. 215/40R16, with a 0.4% change in overall diameter,
yet a 1 inch increase in rim size, I calculate a loss in profile
height. -- Where am I wrong?

>
>> 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.

I am referring to the 5-spoke Enkei's on the '97 STO (Miata.net has
them listed at 14.5-lbs...)

>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

'97 STO, "Chouki"

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