I need to replace 1 tire but I want a wider tire, which of these two should I go for:

Stock: 195/55/16

Swap to: 205/45/16 or 205/50/16

I know if I keep it at 205/55 the profile height is higher than 195/55 because of the increase in width and BTW, I'll be changing two tires, not one.

 

if you are changing profiles, you should get 4 tires. Profile changes are rarely exact and changing just 2 would not be recommended.

 

215/50/16

 

niiiiiceee!!

I suggest playing on http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to find your closest match.

 

You could plug the tire depending on the location of the nail, if not your most affordable option may be to replace the tire for 125.00 from Tire Rack

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ProContact+SSR

 

Is your stock tire unrepairable?
If so, was it the nail or was it running on the flat that made it unrepairable.
This is my first car with run-flats, so I don't know much about them.

Thanks, Rich

 

You should never change the size of just one tire.

As for the particular effect of changing all tires to a different size, realize that it will cause inaccuracy in your speedo and odo, and also make your trip computer completely inaccurate. By how much use this:

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

 

plug the tire,.

if you change tire sizes you change them all.

 

Hrmm...the dealer told us you can't plug a RF. Urban legend perhaps?

 

I was told that as well, of course it was when they were trying to sell me the wheel and tire replacement warranty, and they also said that the tires cost almost $500 a piece. I never really looked into it though, as most of the time I wont plug a tire except in a pinch, and then I usually replace the tire anyway, and the tires are available (at least the contis) at tirerack for $125.

Edit: After some reading I see you can repair a runflat just like any other tire, but it is not advise (although this is also the case with most HP tires) because it can effect the speed integrity of the tire. So bottom line is you would really have nothing to lose accept that the tire may not perform up to its full ability, which is really the case anytime you repair a tire.

 

If the tire ran (like you drove 100km on just the side wall) with no air in it then you must discard the tire. Otherwise there is no issue at all.

 

RF can be repaired (Discount Tire did mine for free). It doesn't matter if you drove it with no pressure in it (that's why they're runflats) unless you abused it/drove it really far and fast. Only the Mini dealers refuse to repair them, and that's mostly to help them sell the insurance policy. Nothing happens to the RF sidewall if you drive it flat, it's stiff and stays rigid. Just fix the thing like the rest of us do. They'll tell you if the hole is too close to the sidewall.

 

Well, I've never had occassion to have a car dealer fix a flat for me, and I certainly won't start now given what you say!

 

I'm running 205/55-16 on 16x7 wheels on my R56 MCS. With most tires, 205/50-16 has a 0.4" smaller O.D. than stock and 205/55-16 has a 0.4" larger O.D. than stock. You would get a little more economy and speedo accuracy with the larger O.D., and slightly more performance and less accurate speedo with a smaller O.D.

IMO, you should swap all four tires.

 

If you change profiles, do it on all 4. As suggested above, the 215/50-16 will be the best fit as it is virtually identical in diameter to your current tire. 215 is about as wide as you would want to go on the R53 to avoid a bit of rubbing. The R56 may have enough room for a 235/45-16 (also the same diameter), but probably not.

 

and get rid of some that dreaded wheel gap. Along with the reasons you just stated, I'm seriously considering the 205/55-16.

 

I'm running the same size. Love it and the ride is a lot smoother.

 

It's certainly got to be smoother than my 215/40-17s.

 

Wheel gap?

 

The sidewall of a runflat tire DOES degrade as you drive on it flat. That is why they are only good for 50 miles. The problem with tire shops and dealers not wanting to repair them is the fact they have no idea how long the tire was driven on flat. If it has been damaged by driving on it for to long and the shop "repairs" it and the tire suffers a blow-out they could be held responsible for any damage.

I myself used to carry a $15 plug kit. I never had to use it as I got rid of my RFt soon after getting my car, but with the kit you could repair the tire yourself as soon as you realized you had a flat and minimize the damage of driving on it flat.

 

The "50 mile rule" is controversial at best. Somebody posted the language in the Dunlap RF warranty and it's different (btw there is an all-inclusive road hazard warranty on the tires for a year unbeknownst to most of us). The reason some won't repair them is they're harder to get on/off and they'd rather tell you that and sell you a new tire for $300 instead. If they were afraid of a lawsuit they'd just make you sign a waiver and fix it. It's much riskier to fix a regular tire that's been driven on totally flat for who knows how long. Think about that.

 

I'll try to fix it myself with the plug kit if not I'm thinking of getting two new front tires for now, 205/50/16. Like I said, I want a wider tire and maybe a lower profile but certainly not a higher profile. I'm not driving a 4X4! It'll look retarded with a higher profile. Some of you guys need to remember that the "55" in 195/55/16 is not the same as the "55" in 205/215/55/16.

I'll change the two rears within in 1-2 months. I know having different tire sizes will compromise the characteristics of the car's handling, but I'll only be driving it for no more than two months like this and I won't be attending any road courses either.

 

Ok, I just looked at the tire and the nail is in the first groove from the outside in, about 2 inches from the sidewall. This seems fixable??

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPic...nSpeedRating=H

 

BTW, I think this is a better site:

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

 

Very. Been there, done that, and have had no issues since. It's just a nail, no reason for drastic solutions.