I've searched on a bunch of boards and found that Most P5 owners opt for the 215/40/17 tire size when moving up to a plus 1 tire.

However, Rishie of AutoRnD has suggested the 215/45/17 size - he says that it looks better and fills up the wheel wells. Note: Rishie installed my Espilars and Tokicos Blues so my P5 is lowered.

When I check the fitment Here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
The 215/40/17's are the closest to the stock 195/50/16's in height - the 215/45/17's look really tall.

Edit: I just re-read Rishies fitment guide: he suggests to go with the 215/40/17 size - I must have misunderstood him when he installed my springs/struts.

But I still want pix!!!

Thanks,
Midnight

 

I'd go for the 40's, just because they look better. The 45's will be easier on your rims though.

 

Here's a pic of my car on 215/40-17's

 

Yep, that's it.....40's.

Sweet ride........ that's the look I want. And with Subzeros too.......I might go for the Attacks tho'.......

Okay, I'm sold....

Peace,
Midnight

 

Also 215/40/17s (Skunk2 coilovers):

 

That's perfect. Another nice P5......

From the angle of this picture I can see how the wheel/tire fits under the fenders.

Damn X-mas gifts are going to set my wheel purchase back a couple weeks......

Thanks for posting.....

Peace
Midnight

 

The 45's will be nearly an inch taller than stock, (24.6" vrs 23.6"). For a car many consider underpowered, this is not A Good Thing. I'd get the 40's, and a kidney belt.

 

LOL...you should try driving with my 18s on....heavy man, heavy.


With my above-posted wheel and tire combo, the tires are actually lighter than the OEM 16 inchers, but the wheels are heavier. Basically, it all evened out for me

 

If I may I would like to jack this thread and ask my own question about tire size.
I have the sedan lx and I am putting on 17x7s and it said that the tire size to go with 205-45-17, but I thought the transmision in our cars were the same! So if I go with the 17s like the MSP shouldn't I run the same size tire? I personally would like a wider tire (205-45-17) but dam they get pricy. And isn't going to the 215s gona make my speedo off! SO, has anyone done this and what do ya think?
Thanks
Bryan

 

i'm not understanding the difference in tiresizing. tirerack.com recommends 205/45-17 if i go with a 17" wheel upgrade. however, a mazdaspeed protege stock tires are wider; 215/45-17. if i wanted to upgrade to mazdaspeed protege wheels, and suspension should i just stick with the tire size mazda uses? thx

 

I came across this url a while ago....check it out and see for yourself.

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

The stock P5 tire size goes on the left: 195/50/16 while the new tire size goes on the right: 215/40/17......boom! perfect match.

If I put in 215/45/17's (on the right) I get the results that rustychop41spoke of: the new tire would be almost an inch taller that stock, which is not what I want.

hughes412, put in your stock size tires and try different sizes to get what you want. If the new size is the same height as your stock tire, speedo readings should stay the same.

And yes, tires get expensive! The stock Dunlops for the P5 run $130.00 each!! While I found some Falkens ST-115 at OnlineTire.com for $83.00 each - go figure!

Peace,
Midnight

 

I'm gonna go against the grain here. Having owned 205/40/17s and then switching to the 215/45/17s I have to say I prefer the 215/45s.

pics:
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010003
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010004
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010015
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010016
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010017
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010018
http://amykdean.com/gallery/album08/P1010020

While I may have gotten marginally crisper handling from the 40 series, I ended up denting 3 rims at different times, one so bad that I had to buy a new wheel. I've hit some nice sized holes with the 45-series and no damage. Much more peace of mind.

And on many styles, the 40-series tire just looks too damn thin, the 45 is just right I think. Plus 215/45 is stock MSP size so it's not much of a stretch. Granted your speedo will be off by about 2-3 mph on the highway. But the ride is not so jarring, still very good handling.

 

Very nice,

nate0123, Is your car lowered? - I can't tell.

I dropped mine. It sits on Espilars which are 1.4 or 1.8 in drop I believe. From your pics, I don't know if I would have a problem with rubbing.

Also, Now that I re-read the other replys, maybe the ride would be too harsh. Hmm....

Have to ask Rishie..........

Thanks for your input.

Peace,
Midnight

 

i have 205/45, i like them

 

yep, I'm dropped 2" - just about tucking all around (if you saw some of my stock height pics you'd know I'm dropped)

the wheels are 17x7 with +50mm offset

slight rubbing in front on VERY tight turning, like a full-lock 180 in a cul-de-sac or something, but in 99.9% of driving conditions, no problems

if you're .6" higher in front you will probably be just fine