According to this tire size calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html there is a 4.9% difference between the stock 205/45/17 and 205/50/15 tires. The stock tires spin 831 times per mile while the 15s spin 874 times a mile. When the speedo says 60, I would be traveling 57.1mph. This seems like a significant difference to me. Am I just nitpicking?

Who is running 205/50/015s, what brand, and how is the ride? I am looking for comfort.

 

I run both a 205/60/15 and the 205/50/15. Why you may ask. simple since my car is lowered I go to the 60's for winter to give it a little more ground clearance. the 2-5 mph difference to me doesnt make a diff.. so yeah to me your just Nitpicking but in other areas where the Police will pull you for being 2 mph over the limit. Your not and have a proper concern. As for Ride.. its tons better when comparing to 215/40/17 which i had on the car before switching to 15's for autox. The tires i run on the Falken Z512 in the 60's and the Hankook 212 for the 50's

 

I just put 205/50/16's on Austin on the 21st and I must say that I like them much better than the stock 195's. I bought some Kohmos off from Tirerack and so far so good.

 

Well, it looks like I am going to go with either 205/55 Goodyear Eagle GT-HR or Bridgestone Potenza G009s.

 

Toyo Proxy 4's are my favorite! I am running 205/55/15

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=55013&page=7

 

I've been using 205/50-15 with stock holey rims on my MCS since March.
Seems to work just fine but the speedo is a bit off. Slightly smoother ride than with 40 or 45 series tires.

If you want good street comfort then 205/55-15 is best, you may also get a smoother more quiet ride from all season tires rather than summer tires. The 205/55-15 is close to stock tire outer diameter so minimal speedo error and 55 series is not so stiff but OK for street use.

I used Michelin Pilot Sport Cups but those are for the track and not really for street use.

205/50-15 or 205/55-15 will fit 15" rims from 5.5" to 7.5" wide no problem.

 

205/50/15 azenis ... work great. Suspension is KW coilovers lowered about 1.25" -1.5"

 

anyone know where i can get a set of 15's... im sold

 

I got mine at Edge Racing - the Flik Blast. They have Hankook RS2s on them now. They are my track day wheels.

http://www.edgeracing.com/2003/Mini/...ll)/wheels/15/

Alan

 

15" what? Rims or tires?
Tires will fit on stock 15x5.5" MINI rims.
Both tires and rims you can find at tirerack.com

Go shopping online then call Alex@tirerack.com to order them and ask all the questions you want- he knows MINIs.

 

hmmm.... a lightweight set of 15" does sond pretty good.

Plus, it gets me around the fact that Team Dynamics doesn't offer the Pro Race 1 or 1.2 in 16".

And 15" rims and tires are quite a bit cheaper.....

good thread!!! it's got me thinking...