MX-3.com

I looked up a 16" wheel on tirerack.com and the recommended tire size for the gs is 205/45/16. Is it much of a difference (performance/speedo reading) if I were to use a 205/40/16 instead?

Heck no, get a 205/50/16 man, that should be the right size for 16's bro. If you want to get 45 series get 215's

Okay, what are all those numbers? The last part is the rim size, right? What is the difference between a 205 and a 215? Is that how low the profile is? And what is the letter? Like Z Rated? That's the "stickiest", or what?

205, 215 is the width and 40, 45, 50, 55 is the hight of the profile of the tire( how tall it is, and sidewall). The last number is the rim size.

1st - if you're gonna use this resource, learn how to use it... Search Function is your friend.

Ok, now that tat is out of the way...

Try http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html ... and book mark it.

While your at it, you may wish to consider the effect of the added weitght from stepping up to 16" .... use http://www.wheelweights.net/ to look up your wheel weight add to tire aned compare to other options... keep in mind that adding weight at the wheel is unsprund weight which means the engine works harder to get it moving, the brakes work hard to make it stop and the suspension has to deal with the weight as well... in general, lighter is better all around from a perfomrance standpoint.

Welcome to this little corner of the interweb and enjoy your mx3!

-Barney

Smith18 wrote:205, 215 is the width and 40, 45, 50, 55 is the hight of the profile of the tire( how tall it is, and sidewall). The last number is the rim size.

the 45 50 55 is the sidewall height (rim to road, one side) of the tire expressed as a percentage of the width...

a 205 50 15 is 205 mm wide, 102.5 mm from road to rim, and takes a 15" rim.

The overall height of the tire in this case would be 15" + (2 x 102.5 mm)

45 is the right sidewal height for 16s. NOT 40.

40 is for 17s.

if you get 40s on 16s it will look ridiculous.

PurpleDinosaur wrote:1st - if you're gonna use this resource, learn how to use it... Search Function is your friend.

Ok, now that tat is out of the way...

Try http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html ... and book mark it.

While your at it, you may wish to consider the effect of the added weitght from stepping up to 16" .... use http://www.wheelweights.net/ to look up your wheel weight add to tire aned compare to other options... keep in mind that adding weight at the wheel is unsprund weight which means the engine works harder to get it moving, the brakes work hard to make it stop and the suspension has to deal with the weight as well... in general, lighter is better all around from a perfomrance standpoint.

Welcome to this little corner of the interweb and enjoy your mx3!

-Barney

Hey, those links are a great help. Thanks.
I think this info should go to the FAQS.

Thanks Atlanta. I just saw a nice set a guy was selling online. Thanks for everyone's replies.

Jay

atlantamx3 wrote:45 is the right sidewal height for 16s. NOT 40.


if you get 40s on 16s it will look ridiculous.

50's actually work out alot closer to stock for a 205. 45 is closer for a 215 width.