After trying to figure out which rims to go with and how to lower my car I've decided to keep it stock for now. Couldn't find anyone local to install the springs for a reasonable price and couldn't find any other rims that I thought looked better than my spray painted ones do now.

That said it's time for new tires. Right now I have the 195/55/16 all season runflats that came with the car.

What's the widest I can go and anyone know how wide my stock rim is?

Not looking to go runflat and looking to go high performance and high speed.

Thanks!
-Gene

 

I believe its 6.5" wide. I have 215/50/16 on my 7" wide wheels and love them.

 

With a pimped out car like that you couldn't find ANYONE to help you install the springs?

 

Not local to me. :(

Only found the people that run the Mini Q and the prices they wanted were double what I've read on NAM.

If anyone knows anybody let me now.

If I did lower it later on does this effect greatly the tire size I get? My rim isn't very wide anyway so I can't really go 225's or anything nuts like that.

I've still yet to hear what I can fit on these rims.

 

are you asking what the widest tire you can fit on the stock wheel?

or the widest in general?

 

Since I haven't found any wheels to win me over what's the widest tire I can fit on my stock 16" rim. A sidewall suggestion would also be nice.

-Gene

 

I have 215/55/16s on my stock rims...they rubbed in the back when the car was lowered and I hit a bump so I put the stock springs back on.

 

I've been pondering this question lately, too. I went to Kumho Ecsta ASX 215/50/16s, and they have been pretty good, but after 20K (including 1 autox school day & 1 MOTD), they are about gone . I do love the wide look, but a mechanic told me that the additional width was why they didn't last longer . Huh?? It didn't make any sense, but it did get me wondering - am I giving up anything by using 215/50 instead of the stock 195/55?

 

I killed my front tires in 8k miles. They're bald now and are on the rear. Helps the car oversteer very nicely. Thing is I dont trust them at 130+ and it gets a bit hairy in the rain.

I'm going to throw the runcraps in the rear and get some new fat tires suggested here for the front.

I'm willing to get a smaller sidewall on the front this way it will help give the car a good looking rake.

What's suggested by the more hardcore driving crew? 50, 45, 40?

The Kumos look good but I've also been eyeing those PZero Neros and the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2s.

 

with the stock wheels you wouldn't have any issues with lowering + wide tires...on the stock wheel since it won't support anything really huge.
205, 215's will fit just fine lowered...even 225.

the stock 16" is 6.5" wide. here is a link for some reference on stock wheels. http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_wheels_tyres

6.5" wheels can run 205's. you probably could run 215 even though the rim width should be 7-8" on 215....it also may not look great since the sidewall will bulge out.
Check out the Hankook RS2, in 205/50-16. Edgeracing has em for $85ea.

and fyi.....I have 225/40-18's and lowered on H&R's. fits great. no issues at all. so that gives you something to go off.

 

also, try this link.
its a good tire calculator to figure out how much bigger the tire will be vs. stock.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

205/50/16 is a great size for your wheel. It is .4" less than stock in dia. and lots of tires available in the size. The Hankook Rs2 and The Dunlop star spec are 2 that I have used. Both are 200 tread wear and very sticky. You will have to drive like a maniac to need wider for the street. I have used the RS2 on the track and auto cross. Fantastic tire. Just installed the Dunlop and I am pleased so far, but no track use yet.

 

205/50/16 is a great size, imho just the right amount of sidewall (but then I tend to like more than some). Not too wide though. I've run 215/45/16 before and just ordered another set in that size. Either would work on a 6.5" (they'll bulge a little, but will fit).

And, as stated, a 225 will fit widthwise. But the wider you go, the harder it is to find appropriate sidewalls. I dunno what a 225 + 16" tire's sidewall ought to be. Easy enough to look up. You'd be able to cram it on the stock wheel though, there are plenty of people putting 225s on 5.5" wheels, soooo.

I would say 215 is a good size to start with if you want "wide." It's certainly not wide by some other cars' standards, buuut...

 

215/45/16 would be sweet. And considering it's on a non suggested 6.5" wheel it will maintain it's speed rating? I was on a track the other day and didn't go past 130 because I didn't trust my bald tires. I want to be comfortable with my new set to be able to max the car out.

Does the fact you have an R53 and I have an R56 change anything? Is the clearance..ect..all equal with these cars? You running a 6.5 width?

 

Aaaah, on the speed rating question, better talk to someone actually qualified.

But.... I'd say you'd be more than fine. I have 215s on a 7.5" wheel, and it's stretching the tire. 7" being the ideal width for a 215, 6.5" is just one step narrower..... Inconsequential.

The R56s seem to have more room inside the wheel wells than the R53s, so you've got even more leeway there.

 

I have the normal KDWs in 215/50R16 for summer tires on 16X7 rims. Also i have Yoko Advans in 225/50R16 fitted to a 16X6.5 rim with the stock +45 offset. Both of these fit on the car in stock form without rubbing across the whole steering range with the R56. There is tons of room.

 

I have Hankook R-S2 215/45/16 on 7" wide rims, with NO suspension mods or spacers. Absolutely no problems at all, and these tires rock plus they are cheap! I cannot see why I wouldn't get this setup again.

 

I'm also looking at the Hankook Ventus RS-2 205/50/16 for my Volk Racing TE37 16x7".

 

Just setup something with Goodyear and my show so I've got to go Goodyear. Fine by me. Which size of this tire would you suggest?

I was looking at the 215/55/16, 205/50/16, 225/50/16

I want a wide look but I'm concerned the steering will be too soft with the 225/50 stretched over my stock 6.5 wheel. What do you guys think?

Good steering feel and a good look are most important to me.

 

If there was a 225-45-16, I would go with that. The 225-50 will have a bit more sidewall than stock. The 215-55 will have way more sidewall than stock. The 215-40 may be too small for you. The speedo will be off by a bit. The 225 width will only buldge a little from the rim. Since there is no 225-45, go with the 225-50. I think that would give you the best ride of the options you listed.