What tire size should I select for 15x8 rims? 225/45-15 -OR- 205/50-15?

I have Enkei 15x8 J Speed rims with +25mm offset.

I am looking at these two tire sizes:
* 225/45-15 (8.85 inch section width and 22.97 inch diameter)
* 205/50-15 (8.07 inch section width and 23.07 inch diameter)

Note that both sizes have the same diameter, so the only question is about the 225 width versus the 205 width on an 8 inch wide rim.

When researching 8 inch wide general purpose rims they say to use 225, not 205.
When I read about people racing and autocross I see many using 205 on the 8 inch wide wheel. Is it a class thing or does the 205 handle better than 225 due to the "patch" shape?

I am looking for your input.

Thanks in advance

205 sits square on an 8” wheel.

Square for less squirm, crisper turn-in, elongated contact patch vs a 225 for better hydroplane resistance.

205 for 8". Exactly what Steven said.

Also a tad lighter, and at your power level, 225 would be overkill, I think.

-Matt

I'm biased having run 15x8s with 225s for several years. If you are doing it for all out performance advantages then I say 205 but if that isn't the case and want a meaty look, 225s. :)

I doubt your average enthusiasts could tell the difference between the two from a track/autox experience.

Worth remembering that some rubber in 205/50-15 are known to be wider than spec.

As a general rule for any wheel, the tread width should be no more nor no less than 1/2" than the wheel width. In this case 7.5" to 8.5" or 190mm to 215mm.

Can you get away with a little more or less? Yes, but generally not recommended.

You'll also get less flak for installing 225s on the 8's vs the 205s with the shops around here... :roll:

I ran 205 R888's on my NB (with 15x8) it felt amazing and the lip of the wheel and wall of the tire were in perfect alignment very satisfying. and on track its a lighter setup for the dry, I did feel alot faster in top end because less contact patch. But in the rain on track the 225s I feel would be a lot safer in the hard braking zones.

205/50-15 it is!
I am not worried about high performance in the rain. I can dial it down if I need to travel somewhere in the rain or sit on the sidelines at the track.

Now I need to pick some dedicated summer tires that can function as a street and track tire. Mostly Tail of the Dragon style street driving, highway travel to get there, and a few track days over the season. I don’t care about long tread-life, but I don’t want the tires to become junk after a track day. Some wet traction/anti-hydroplaning would be a safety bonus for highway travel.

I read that Steven selected Continental-Extreme-Contact-Sport tires. Now that he had some driving time on them I wonder if he still likes them?

Here are some candidates I was considering:
* Continental-Extreme-Contact-Sport
* Yokahama-Neova-AD08-R
* Bridgestone-Potenza-RE-71R
* Dunlop-Direzza-ZIII
* Toyo-Proxies-R1R

All other choices and opinions are welcome, thanks!

I have used all 5 tires you're inquiring about. for me it would have to be the AD08s or the R1Rs. Both are insanely grippy and super sticky especially on a miata.

The Conti ECS have been a terrific tire for me everyday and on-track here in Atlanta. About 85-90% of the grip of most of the 200tw tires I’ve used in the past, but far more quiet and forgiving around town.

I love them in the rain. I am usually one of the faster cars on track when it rains. I would buy them again.

Smart man, choosing the 205's (if it's just for looks, then the 225's are manly, but... Ever watch a body builder try and rock climb? It's the skinny ass guys who fly up the rock and, as we Miata Junkies know, size doesn't matter).

I have the 205 RE71R on my 15x8 RPF1's on my 97 and my son runs them on his 96. I'm a bit skittish in the rain on them, but have never driven on the track in the rain. I HAVE driven his car on the track and the grip is fantastic (I've run several different tires on my Mustang, from the old Kumo VictoRacer all the way up to Hoosiers, but, for a Miata, the RE71R is crazy sticky). If you're serious about going fast, it's a pretty good value, IMHO. Plenty of other good sticky tires on your list, so don't stress over it: put some tires on it and get seat time (nothing beats seat time if you want to go fast).

From your list I have driven only the R1R and the AD08R (what I currently run). I just love the Yokos, well worth the asking price. Phenomenal when warmed up on dry, and very decent when wet for what they are.

I don't know if they are available where you live but I had great experience with the Federal RSR as a fun and sticky road tire. No track experience yet but a lot of people like them. They work in rain, too. And they are relatively cheap which is not a bad thing :)

I have the Conti ECS in 205/50-15 on 15x8 Advanti Storm S1 wheels. They are awesome for a DD tire, though I have never tracked them. Comfortable and quiet, great in the rain, and confidence-inspiring on twisty TX Hill Country roads (the 3 Twisted Sisters are often referred to as TX's answer to The Tail of the Dragon). I'm on my second set of rear tires, and the first wore extremely evenly. The 205/50s are stretched just a bit. Discount Tire refuses to mount them and Tire Rack makes you say they are for "track only." Firestone mounted my most recent pair, and they didn't even blink at the fitment. I may try some wider 225s next time, just for a more meaty look, as I don't think the performance difference will matter much to me.

https://live.staticflickr.com/1745/2...4a7056dc_k.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/7893/4...e9f1acbc_k.jpg