Will this fit? (width, offset and tire size Qs)

[Huehuecoyotl]

Originally Posted by D1cker

It will not effect the outside diameter of the tire. You will be just fine with 215/45/17's on those wheels.

indeed

[Khyron686]

Originally Posted by dori.

correct me if I'm wrong but 235 on a 9.5 is a slight stretch, no?

235/35 is acceptable (by manufacturer) on 8 inch to 9.5 inch. So 9.5 inch will fit fine, but will be at the upper end. The pic above is a 215 on an 8 inch - which is also the max "allowed" size.




This is a "wide" 215 on another 8 inch wheel. Totally fits fine but that slope inwards is a mild stretch which you may or may not like.





This is a fat 235 on an 8 inch wheel, which is the minimum rim size. Fits fine.

If you had a tire with a weak sidewall (like the conti extreme contact) you'd want the mild stretch. A pilot super sport can go fat.





None of this stuff is the stupid crazy stretch you see on the Euro boards with the rim sticking out past the tire. It's just a balance of looks, sidewall strength vs how wide you want your contact patch. You can shoehorn a 215 onto 9 inch wheel if you want.

[Skurj]

If you are in Toronto.. you don't get enough snow to not lower the car, but I wouldn't go more than 1"...

[Khyron686]

Originally Posted by eddieEndo

kk so i think i've settled on 225/40 on the front 8.5 and 235/40 on the rear 9.5, i'm a liiiittle worried about rubbing in the rear, think that'll work?

Crap I missed your rear number. Understand the /40 part is not a measurement, it's a percentage of the first number. So a 225/40 is a different sidewall (3.5 inches) height than a 245/40 (3.7 inches). (40% of 225 vs 40% of 245). So your wheels will be different size (slightly but you will notice!).

Also, 1 inch is 25mm so if the rear is 1 inch wider, the tire should be roughly 25mm bigger than the front if you want them to look similar.

225/40-18 is a good size for our cars. 255/35-18 is only .1 inches different which would be better for the rear (both will have exactly 3.5 inches sidewall). Now you have to consider what tire models are available in both sizes.

You can play around with sizing here:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[eddieEndo]

Originally Posted by Khyron686

Crap I missed your rear number. Understand the /40 part is not a measurement, it's a percentage of the first number. So a 225/40 is a different sidewall (3.5 inches) height than a 245/40 (3.7 inches). (40% of 225 vs 40% of 245). So your wheels will be different size (slightly but you will notice!).

Also, 1 inch is 25mm so if the rear is 1 inch wider, the tire should be roughly 25mm bigger than the front if you want them to look similar.

225/40-18 is a good size for our cars. 255/35-18 is only .1 inches different which would be better for the rear (both will have exactly 3.5 inches sidewall). Now you have to consider what tire models are available in both sizes.

You can play around with sizing here:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

so looks like i'll be doing 225/40 in the front and 255/35 in the back thanks for your help

[itdansharpe]

Originally Posted by eddieEndo

hmmm are both wheels gonna be stretched? trying to avoid stretched heard some horror stories
help me come up with a fitment for those wheels haha, I don't want stretch and i like my sidewall so probably sticking with 40

The rears are going to look stretched a bit more than the fronts.. I have 245s front on 8.5 and that's got a small bit of tire poking past the wheel.

[philosophy]

Originally Posted by Skurj

If you are in Toronto.. you don't get enough snow to not lower the car, but I wouldn't go more than 1"...

Fair, but I don't want to change springs because I hear that it damages the suspension in the long run, and hurts the handling (though I will be tempted to get STI springs if they come to Canada). I also don't want to get coilovers because I hear that they don't last in the salt. There is probably more salt in Toronto than snow.

If someone could prove me wrong about anything I've just said, it'd be greatly appreciated!

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by philosophy

That was my worry. But it seems, from what is said here, that half an inch extra in diameter won't make a big enough difference. I sure hope not because it looks like I'm gonna get some 17x7.5's!

Go for it. STI uses the stock Michelin Primacy HP tires on their 17x7.5 +48 wheels:

[OrbitalEllipses]

Yes, but STI will also sell you Michelin Pilot Super Sports for those wheels

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Yes, but STI will also sell you Michelin Pilot Super Sports for those wheels

Yeah, they recommend that tire for their 18x7.5 +48 wheels as does TRD for their 18x7.5 +46 wheels. I haven't seen them publish a recommended tire for the 17" version but their pics sorta indicate what they use.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Just bought me some PSS anyway.

[djdnz]

Any thoughts on

18x9.5 +45 f/r 255/35/18? Might put a 5 mm spacer on the rear

Looking for no poke at all.

edit: after looking at the mach-v wheels at 9.5 +42, sounded like it doesnt clear the spring perch... and I guess it's not as flush as I hoped

[Tansey86]

Originally Posted by djdnz

Any thoughts on

18x9.5 +45 f/r 255/35/18? Might put a 5 mm spacer on the rear

Looking for no poke at all.

Rear should be perfect without a spacer

http://dudesphotography.smugmug.com/...IMG0071-XL.jpg 18x9.5 +44 with a 255/35/18 rear. Looks perfect

[djdnz]

Originally Posted by Tansey86

Rear should be perfect without a spacer

http://dudesphotography.smugmug.com/...IMG0071-XL.jpg 18x9.5 +44 with a 255/35/18 rear. Looks perfect

Thanks man, yeah the rear looks spot on. I have a feeling the front will look more like this though :*(



I'm confused though, these are 18x9.5 +42, yet I've seen pictures of the Gram Light 57Xtreme's in 18x9.5 +40 and they don't seem to be as pokey. Maybe they have just been running more camber? I'd like 1.5 deg front, 2 MAX.