I am looking at this combo for my 07 MCS. Will be going from 17 x 7 OEM runflats. I am looking at a BBS RGF wheel with a 35mm offset. I wonder if that is going to stick out past the fender? Also, I have the diameter of the 205/55/16 figured at 24.88" with my stock rig figured at 24.26" resulting in a .62" larger diameter setup. The 205/55/16 would allow me to buy RE-01R tires or Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1's. My other option would be to go with 205/50/16 with Yokahama ADVAN Neova AD07's or Michelin Pilot Exalta PE2's. Anyone running similar setups? Any real downside to the extra tall sidewalls on the 205/55's?

 

I forgot to mention that both the Tirerack and the BBS website show this wheel to fit a stock 07 MCS. The BBS site shows it to fit the 07 JCW, but the wheel doesn't come on Tirerack's configurator when you enter the JCW. I may be looking at the JCW down the road.

 

Assuming stock suspension you will be OK with 16x7 and +35mm offset with 205/55-16 tires (though slightly taller than stock tire diameter).

The tires will sit about 1/2" farther outside the wheel well compared to stock 17" wheels but it will still fit OK and not be excessively far out. A little more negative camber will help with clearance in the rear.

205/50-16 will also work fine but you have different tires to choose from.

 

The 16" OZ Ultraleggeras I am running on my 07 MCS have an offset of 37, nearly the same as the BBS Wheels you are contemplating. With 205/50/16 tires there are no clearance/rubbing issues.

The 55 sidewalls will raise your overall gearing a bit, likely giving better mileage during cruise, but taking a little away from acceleration. The taller tires will be slightly less crisp on turn-in, but will provide better rim protection against pothole impacts. Everything is a trade-off.

 

Thanks. The 205/55/16 is the size the Re01 comes in, but I am concerned with the taller sidewall. I can choose a different tire from the 205/50 camp. Which tire are you running? Also did you have to realign the car when you went to the Ultraleggeras?

 

They won't really sit outside the wheel well or go out past the fender....they will move outwards but not nearly enough to go outside the well. You still have plenty of room.

Here's a pic of 15x7 et35's to gauge where the wheel will sit. No camber adjustments or anything...

 

I am looking at a similar decision as the original poster here.

I am also considering 16x7 OZ UL wheels for my five day old R56. I wanted to go with a 205-50-16 in the Bridgestone RE-01R tire but they don't come in this size. Darn! I don't want to go with the 205-55-16 size... too much side wall for me.

I am now looking at two choices.... please let me know what you think:

1) Go with another tire similar to the RE-01R in 205-50-16. Can someone recommend another similar tire? I would buy from Tire Rack.

2) Go with the 17 inch OZ UL wheel and the RE-01R in 205-45-17.

In general, I prefer the lighter/safer 16" OZ wheel but really want the RE-O1R tires.

Please let me know what you think regarding my two options including general thoughts regarding 16 inch wheel vs 17 inch wheel.

Thanks!

 

I too wanted to run the RE01 tires, but I opted for Dunlop Direzza Z1's because they come in the 205/50/16. I went with 16" wheels mainly because they are much lighter and cheaper. The Direzza's had a favorable rating on the Tire Rack test, and actually was rated better than the RE01 on wet track.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=100

Having said this, I haven't received them yet, so I can't say yet. We shall see.

 

Great feedback locogringo. Those Dunlop's might be just the ticket for me!

Did you order the BBS wheels? I noticed they were back ordered. I like those wheels.

Please let me know when you get the combo and what you think.

Thanks!

 

I ended up with Enkei RPF1 in 16". Tire Rack didn't know when the BBS wheels would be in. They said it could be 6 months. I didn't want to wait. I dug through this site and found some pics of RPF1's mounted on minis, even one in my color (BRG). I think they are cool. By going 16" instead of 17", I saved a lot on weight and money. By going with the Enkei's instead of the BBS, I saved even more money. Might be half way to a JCW tune kit with the savings.

They are supposed to be here today. Might get to try them this weekend.

 

I'm running the 205/55/16 Michelin Pilot HX MXM-4 and really like that size and tire combination. They are stiffer and better handling than the 15" Conti's I use in winter and smoother riding than the OEM 195/55/16 Goodyear runflats. Also the plus size helps fill out the wheelwell while still looking low profile for a look I like. No clearance or other issue with the added 4/10" in height. I have stock wheels so don't know about that part. The thumbnails show my MCC with the 205's on. Good luck.

 

Hi locogringo,

I just sent you a PM. Would you mind sending and/or posting pictures of your wheel/tire combo? They don't have to be installed on the car. I am mostly interested in seeing what the sidewall looks like in the 50 size. I am leaning towards the same exact tires as well !!

 

Come on warm weather!!! Can try and post pics with wheels standing next to car tomorrow or next day. Pretty crappy weather today.

 

Where did you get your center caps from? Enkei caps are on the expensive side.
As far as 205/50-16 tires go, I purchased a set of Hankook R-S2s during Discount Tire's big sale. I also have this tire on my Monster Miata, and love them.

 

I bought them with the wheel / tire combo from Tire Rack. They were kind of expensive. Maybe I should have looked around, but I have them now and I like them.