Can't decide on tire size for 15x8
 

I bought a set of wheels for my new to me MSM. They are 15x8 ET+25. I have a problem in that I cannot decide what size tires to buy.

205/50R15

or

225/45R15


This car makes between 200-250 rwhp (much closer to the latter) and I don't plan on doing anything competitive with it, though I appreciate walking with a big stick if you know what I mean... :giggle:

Halp?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....artnum=28MD5KH
Stance bro

Oh like totes brah! So doep!

I'd choose the tire you like best, then buy it in whatever size it comes in. On a x8, there won't be much difference in performance, slightly difference in feel, neither of which matter much on the street. :)

GRM article in the December issue considered exactly this question. On track, the 205 and the 225 both delivered almost identical times on a 15x8 with Rivals. The 225 had a little more grip but steering response was better with the 205 because the sidewall was stiffer. A wash in the end according to Andy Hollis.

On a street car, you should probably do 225. It will give a better ride. The 205 falls outside the "lawyer-approved" range for a 15x8 wheel.

Id agree on this for ride quality. Might be a tight fit under the front fender with that offset. Suggest rolling front and rear if you put 225's on those wheels.

My wallet really likes the prices on 205s too. My neo gens have served me great through half a dozen track days and numerous street miles. At $63 a tire (I think), I can't complain. They were ~2 seconds slower than mobius's 225 rivals, both tested on my car on the same day, on a two mile, 1:34 lap.

TBH I am going to order a set of 15x9 6UL's whenever they are in stock again anyway so these are just a stopgap. I think I will just get a set of RT615's in 205 for now. Should be enough to tame the little tiny turbo.

RT615s suck ass. Get Rivals or RS3s.

615's are $364/set shipped

Rivals are $537/set shipped

RS3's are not exist right now.

Think RT615's are a $140 better/set tire than Nitto Neo Gen's?


I can get Neo Gen's for $224 shipped per set.

I'd say yes, personally. Though that doesn't mean i particularly like RT615s these days.

They were cool. In like... 2004. :P

They have been redesigned since then. Not that it was a major one.

Same design, different compound. Still landed them at the back of the pack in ST-class rubber, just slightly less so than before. :P

You get what you pay for.

The all-season commuter tires are cheapest, the crappy performance tires are more expensive, the good performance tires are even more expensive. Which one you get depends on how much you are willing to pay for performance.

Hole crap, I didn't even see the Nitto was A/S.

No summer rubber, no care.

True, but I may not auto-x more than once a year or less...

It really doesn't matter.... as a stop gap setup, i'd just get the RT615s and be done with it. Cheap wheel tire setup to get you through and stop spinning 3rd gear until the 15x9 6ULs are back in stock. Doesn't have the be the latest and greatest. :)

I love my federal 595 rsr's, not saying they are amazing or anything compared so some of the more expensive rubber. But for the price they are hard to beat. Coming from shitty all seasons they blew my mind in the twisties.

I want to try those so bad but they don't really come in any sizes i find useful. :(

I was thinking about those as well...

I do hear they go to shit real fast with heat, e.g. if I were to start spinning second gear, etc...

Buy bigger hoops.

I'd have to go to 17s. :(


There is a 255/40-17 though. So that's nice. $510 shipped. I could maybe live with that.

hey hornet, could you provide a link to that article that youre talking about.
i tried a search and the only thing i found was this Wheel/tire advice - autocross Miata: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports

Seconding what Savington said, Azenis are garbage that are sketchy as hell in the rain.

205/50-15 NT05s for $360 shipped: 4 New 205 50 15 Nitto NT 05 50R R15 Tires | eBay

The December 2013 GRM article with the tire reviews is only available to subscribers I'm afraid.

You get what you pay for. 615s were made obsolete when the RS2 came out in 2006.

I would love to buy some RS3's. Show me someone who has them though... I can't get them here, I tried for several days searching, calling, etc... All backordered.

If you aren't tracking/Auto-Xing, just put something on and go.

Hell, less sticky tires are more fun on the street since you can get the car to move around a bit easier.

Anything is an improvement on the worn Yokohamas. Ever since I added timing and a pound of boost it spins every time in second and has rolled third a couple times...

So what is the Best street tire for that rim? I just ordered the same size wheels and am torn between the 225/45/15 Rival and the 205/50/15 direzza z2.

People seem to like it better than the 225 because it tramlines less and is more responsive.

Got the wheels and tires on today. Pretty happy, it rides SOOOOOO much better and I can actually get it to hook in second gear now!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1394496520


https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1394496520

BEEF.

Woof.

Now that there's 15s on it.... you're right. The front does look pretty low.

Interested to see what springs were on that thing.

Doep.

Derp.

It is even lower after driving it around a bit then filling up with fuel. It was basically on fumes in those pics. I tend to forget how much a tank of fuel changes ride height on softish springs and a 2500 lb car.