195/50 vs. 205/50

[Straight Edge]

Getting ready to buy some new tires and would like some opinions. The car they're going on is a '91 NA with a stock 1.6 with power steering. For wheels I am planning on running 15x7.5 6UL's. I know with this wheel width I could go either way. I really like the looks of the 205/50 on a Miata, but I don't want to buy tires solely on looks. Will the 205's be too much for a stock 1.6? I'm planning on a Randall style cowl intake and probably a header and exhaust, but those things are pretty low on the list right now. Also with a 12" front, 12.5" rear ride height and 949 Racing street alignment, would I have to worry about any fender rubbing issues? The car is my DD, but may possibly see some autoxing and track days. Thanks.

[theothersawyer]

I have 205/50 on my car and I believe my ride height is roughly the same as yours, but don't remember what my numbers were exactly. I have no rubbing issues whatsoever. Personally, I would go with the 205's. They look better and you have a bigger contact patch. Why not? Bigger is always better! :D

[Boris]

What tires are you looking at specifically ?

BTW, for the street I prefer stock sized wheels and tires. Keeps the car playful without overstressing components.

[Carrin1989]

I had 205's and my car is slammed and I didn't rub. I have 195's now, but I'd say go with the 205's. It'll just be more rubber on the road and that's always a good thing.

[The Driver]

What tires are you looking at specifically ?

BTW, for the street I prefer stock sized wheels and tires. Keeps the car playful without overstressing components.
He said 205/50's not 235/60. 205's will hardly add any additional stress, if any.

OP, I've had both sizes. I suggest you get the one that looks better for you, as the change in road quality is hardly noticeable.

[Phatmiata]

For wheels I am planning on running 15x7.5 6UL's...............

For this size/width I would personally choose the 205/50

[The Driver]

For this size/width I would personally choose the 205/50

And I would personally choose 195's ... ;)


No bull!

[Straight Edge]

Thanks for all the replys guys. So for a 205 would I be better of with an 8" wheel?

[The Driver]

Thanks for all the replys guys. So for a 205 would I be better of with an 8" wheel?

That's what I'm doing, but even the 949 site says that 195's are o.k. on 15X8's. Check the website, there is section called "pics" or something like that.

[iRoadster]

Also with a 12" front, 12.5" rear ride height and 949 Racing street alignment, would I have to worry about any fender rubbing issues? The car is my DD, but may possibly see some autoxing and track days. Thanks.

I daily my car at 12.25"/12.5" with nearly the same alignment and I was able to catch my fender lip once under really hard driving on a 205 tire, so you might want to roll the front arches just to be safe.

[Blueiii]

What is the purpose for the car? If its just being used as a driver... it really won't matter. If you ever plan to autocross it, go with the 7.5 and plan on racing in STS.

[Boris]

He said 205/50's not 235/60. 205's will hardly add any additional stress, if any.


That's a joke, right ?
A 185 all season on some Daisys loads up just like a 205 summer tire on 15's ?
Really ?!

[Boris]

For this size/width I would personally choose the 205/50


And I would personally choose 195's ... ;)


No bull!

and I'd pick the 225 RS3.
Funny thing this free will, isn't it.

[HERBERT]

and I'd pick the 225 RS3.
Funny thing this free will, isn't it.

You should go here you will fit in..... miata.net

205 will give you a nice substantial tire and not look very stretched, should be about straight up.

[Boris]

Yeah but the RS3 will give me the best traction in the Florida heat and the fastest lap times.
Guess I prefer to drive on my tires, not pose for pictures with them.

[The Driver]

That's a joke, right ?
A 185 all season on some Daisys loads up just like a 205 summer tire on 15's ?
Really ?!

No joke. Please read ALL my posts in this thread as there are only a few of them.

[Boris]

No joke. Please read ALL my posts in this thread as there are only a few of them.

Sunny you say that since you misread my first one.

[The Driver]

Sunny you say that since you misread my first one.

How so? My first Miata had 195/50 15's from the factory. Please explain how going to 205/50 would overstress anything?

[Boris]

And mine had 185's.
How would adding bigger high performance tires add stress to aging components, you ask ?
In many ways, added mass and traction, just to name the most obvious ones.

[The Driver]

And mine had 185's.
How would adding bigger high performance tires add stress to aging components, you ask ?
In many ways, added mass and traction, just to name the most obvious ones.

That is true, but I still stand by my statement that 195's and 205's do not add any more stress than your 185's on 14's. This isn't just my own empirical data of one (me) but of a lot of other Miata owners I have met over the years. BTW. I have over 30K miles on my current Miata with 205/50's and have ZERO troubles to report.

[Boris]

I'm with you. I also run 205/50/15's on my car as well as some 225's but for the street, give me a dinky Daisy and my 1.6L LSD stays happy. It's a lot more tossable to boot.

[SteelReign]

For me, it would come down to the lower weight and cost. That is, if all else is equal. Its just one centimeter, right? :D






....that's what she said

[iKhanh]

195 front and 205 rear for that staggered fitment! that's what i'm doing.. when i finish my wheels ha.