Stick to 15x9, or switch to 15x8?
 

I know this sounds blasphemous, but hear me out.

I got a great deal on 15x9 Dial Ins from Phil's Tire Service. Knowing the tire options available in 225/45 mainly being UHP, and given that this will be more of a weekend/fun street car that won't be tracked, is it a better idea to switch to 8's and run a 205/50?

The 225/45 and 9's will be great for grip which is awesome on the road anyway, but mileage on them would obviously be significantly less than those of a 205/50 street tire.


So, stick with grip and enjoy it, but buy tires more often, or switch to an 8 and save some money?

I'd either buy the same set of wheels in an 8 and try to recoup my money by selling my 9s or just look for other 8's that I like to buy and do the latter as well.

I've struggled with this same predicament and I currently have 9's. Its been almost 5 months now with no availability on 225 RS3's and also Rivals. This pretty much forced me to choose between buying a new set of 8's and 205's, or running an even stickier tire on my 9's. I went with the 9's and am now running 245 Maxxis RC-1's. I do however use my Miata for autocross, and have a Ford Focus to drive during the week to work. Having the RC-1's mounted on the Miata makes it easier for me to leave it in the garage and drive my Focus to work. Before when I had the 225's I would always be tempted to drive the Miata, and I did a lot of the time, which put a lot of extra wear on the tires and miles on the chassis. Both my set of 225 RS3's and Rivals wore out in less than 10k miles with autocross and very spirited street driving.

Ultimately you have to decide if buying $500+ worth of tires every 8-9 months is worth it for the extra grip. (Assuming you drive as much as I do)

Let's see if your wheels fit over my 11.75 V8R brakes.
Maybe we can find some common ground. I was really looking at the Storms, though.

You can run 205's on a 9 and emilio has even confirmed that most 205s will be slightly fast on a 9 than on an 8. However, the ride on the street won't be as nice since the sidewall will be slightly stretched. Just throwing that out there.

This kind of blows my mind for the rivals. I had 225 Rivals on my DD for a year and a half in which I did 8 track days at Sebring and 2 at Daytona a long with 17k street miles. They were only done after the weekend at Daytona when the inside slightly corded due to accelerated wear from the heat they were seeing at 140mph on the high banks.

I think the whole "9's or go home" thing applies mostly to track cars or at least someone that regularly pushes their car. On a street car I doubt you'll be in a situation where you exceed the limits of a x8 and 205 without killing yourself.

Just something to consider.

Before I started to "race" my car, 15x8 and 205/225 on the street was great. The only times I had traction issues is when I was being intentionally stupid while running 25psi and mashing the throttle.

And even on track a 205 on an 8" is still plenty grippy.

Heck, my street Miata has 7s and 205s.

I don't think selling the 9's is the right choice. If you ever want to go up to 225 you have the option. For now just stretch a 205 on it. I wish I had done that lol.

That's the other thing to consider too: if you didn't already get 9's this would be an easy choice.

But since you already got some, the only way I'd switch is if you can get your money back on them. No point taking a loss just to go smaller, might as well just stuff 205's on there for now like these guys are saying

205 on an 8 is my favorite setup for an "all arounder". Great street manners, best tire choice.. and can still be properly quick. I'd choose an 8 over a 9 for my street/fun car every time if that "fun" didn't include full on track use.

A 205 on a 9" is a go-fast choice full of compromises born from the lack of 225 tire options; not what I'd choose for my street/fun car if I had other options.

Sure, the equation shifts a bit because you already have one set of wheels.. the decision comes down to either setting the car up the way you really want it or just however is most convenient.

This is an example of why I try to be very careful with my adjectives when giving advice and input to others; in our society "bigger" has a positive connotation and conversely, "smaller" has a negative one. Every enthusiast has a different criteria for what they need from their car, and so the right choice in parts, modifications, etc. is never the same for everyone. Taking a small loss to get your car on the wheel/tire combo that is the best fit for your use and needs, whether that involves going "bigger" or "smaller", is what I would call an improvement. Of course, OP needs to decide what that best fit is for himself, perhaps 9's are right for him, perhaps not.

-Ryan

My buddy picked up a set of 9" 6uls a while back that had 205/50 Federal 595 RS-R's on them, a little more stretched than a 225 but not too too bad.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1424112151

For reference, those are 225 Rivals on my car.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1424112151

That's another thing to consider: not all same size tires are actually same size.

When you look up physical width of let's say 205's, you'll see everything from 7.1 to 8.4 (iirc)

The "wider" 205's will obviously look better on a 9

I'm running 205s on 8s and they are stretched to hell so yeah on 9s id say its too much.

Had the bead pop out once.

What tire? Rivals run very wide for instance. Other tires do not.

Looks depends on the rubber.

I have no problem handing the comments about my stretched 205's on 9" in the pits, but I'd stay away from that stretch on a DD (no rubber protecting the rim, association with "stance", ...).

But as shown there are really wide 205's that looks just right.

Performance on the street is irrelevant, run 205's on 6" if you want.

Looks depends on the rubber.

I have no problem handing the comments about my stretched 205's on 9" in the pits, but I'd stay away from that stretch on a DD (no rubber protecting the rim, association with "stance", ...).

But as shown there are really wide 205's that looks just right.

Performance on the street is irrelevant, run 205's on 6" if you want.

I can bring one up to Tampa one of these days, I'm up there a few times a week. Completely transparent, I bought them for $440, and would be looking for that.

Yeah, my last Miata had 8's with 205/50 and loved it.

I'll see if Sixshooter and I can work something out, but if not that's an option. I forgot that some run wider, as stretching too wildly was one of my worries.

I'll have to do some research on which ones run wide, and go from there.



Thanks for the replies everyone. Just woke up.

Very true. And it sounds like the op wants something with more than 200TW. All of those tires are going to look stretched on a 15x8 never mind a 15x9. If anyone wants some 400TW tires. I have some 225 RS3 V1s with like a season of auto-x and 10k street miles on them and that just barely wore the flames off the tread pattern so figure 7-8/32nds left. They're probably good for another 30k street miles on a miata. :rofl: I also have some heat cycled out and frozen multiple times RS3 v1s that will probably last longer than any car you can bolt them onto they are so hard.

Another option is to run 225's on your 15x8's and sell the wide wheels... I ran faster laps with 225's on 8" wheels vs 205's on 8".

Also feels mushier on the street- which might be good for you.