Tires.

[brandonmpace]

Ok so I'm getting 15x8 6ul's and now I need to choose tires.

Right now I'm debating on keeping the 205/50R15, or going to 225/50R15 (which would make my speedometer almost spot-on)

I'm looking for good contact patch with good sidewall stiffness.
Anyone running these tire sizes on these rims? Any recommendations?



I also can't seem to decide what color I want the rims to be. I'm curious what my car would look like with black rims.

[wolzen]

black rims are tacky, don't do it!

[CHeavin_2006]

Try out Dunlop Direzza Star Specs...
Great AutoX tires and have a decent treadwear for the streets as well...

[trickyrix]

black rims are tacky...

Are they?

[jrj512]

Are they?

Buy a black wheel and I bet you get a free bowl of soup with it. Oh, but it looks good on you.

[trickyrix]

Right now I'm debating on keeping the 205/50R15, or going to 225/50R15 (which would make my speedometer almost spot-on)

I think a 225/50 would be too tall. You'd want either a 205/50 or a 225/45 (if you can find it, that is). The 205 might be a bit of a stretch on an 8" rim, but they're doable. As another alternative, Toyo (and probably others) make a 215/45.

I'll be in the market for tires pretty soon too, so I'm keeping an eye on this thread.

I also can't seem to decide what color I want the rims to be. I'm curious what my car would look like with black rims.

You're welcome to try mine on some time. I think the flat black would look nice with silver, but the bronze might really make it pop with the stripes.

That's my $0.02...

[brandonmpace]

Both 215/45 and 225/45 seem to be hard to come by. Then again I may not be looking in the right places.

At this point I'm thinking of just getting 7.5s and stretching the 205/50s onto those.

[juxt3r]

Some of those 205s out there are pretty wide. RE-11s, Kumho Ecsta XS and the ever-popular Star Specs should all do nicely on an 8" wheel...though your installer might bitch a bit.

[POS Racing]

Ya can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Miata with 6UL's on them anymore!

[SilverToy]

Hay POS, I resemble, I mean, resent that remark!

I only have about three days on a set of*Ventus R-S3 225/45/15's on 6ul's and they feel great. I cannot say how they are on a track, and, hopefuly the "flames" wear off quick, but I'm putting another set in the budget beacuse the size is hard to find. *

[brandonmpace]

Some of those 205s out there are pretty wide. RE-11s, Kumho Ecsta XS and the ever-popular Star Specs should all do nicely on an 8" wheel...though your installer might bitch a bit.

That's what I was thinking. The Kumho Ecsta ASX 205/50 is 8.4" at the widest point, so I figured I would just have really straight sidewalls.

[Rob®]

Most of the Miata guys I know in NJ run 205/50/15s on 15x8s. Some actually don't look stupid at all. Personally though, I think you're on the right track with the 15x7.5s. With a 7.5 you can run anything from a 205 to a 225 easily and within manufacturers' safe ranges, so you get a ton of tire choices. Unless your plans of forced induction change, you really don't need that extra .5" of wheel width (plus tire selection means more than just plain tire width).

If you get the 15x8s, I would think long and hard about your driving habits to see if you would be OK with picking up some Nitto NT-01s in 225/45/15...they still make that size, right? I haven't looked at 15" tire sizes in years.

[Radio-Active]

That's what I was thinking. The Kumho Ecsta ASX 205/50 is 8.4" at the widest point, so I figured I would just have really straight sidewalls.

I had Kuhmo ASX 205/50 15 tires on my car for a while and they Suck in rain. Go for a different type.

[driftdevil]

If you get one of the "performance" tires in the 205/50 they will fit fine on the 8 inch wheels. I'm running the old RE01R 195/50 and it has a slight stretch to it but nothing ugly. And I'd go with the nickel wheels if you are going to get the 6ULs. Better color for your car color than black. (to plain). You might check out some Toyo T1R 215/45s, I know Todd has some and likes them. If you come out to the meet tonight my car will be there and you can look at the stretch on my wheels.

[SilverToy]

I just had a set of the T1R 215/45-15's on order from OnLineTire and was informed they were no longer being made.

[apex2apex]

If you get one of the "performance" tires in the 205/50 they will fit fine on the 8 inch wheels.

+1. If you run any of the top UHP tire in 205/50, they will be perfect on 8". In fact, they will work quite abit better than on 7" or 7.5". You will have a flatter contact patch and sidewall support, which allow you to run lower pressure. My Advan AD08s look just about right on my 15x8 6uls, I think the tread width is over 8". On the other hand, running 225/45 on 8" would not be optimal. Not saying they won't work well, you just not getting maximum grip out of them.

Of course all these talks are for autocross and trackday, on the street it does not matter as much.

[Nails]

+1. If you run any of the top UHP tire in 205/50, they will be perfect on 8". In fact, they will work quite abit better than on 7" or 7.5". You will have a flatter contact patch and sidewall support, which allow you to run lower pressure. My Advan AD08s look just about right on my 15x8 6uls, I think the tread width is over 8". On the other hand, running 225/45 on 8" would not be optimal. Not saying they won't work well, you just not getting maximum grip out of them.

Of course all these talks are for autocross and trackday, on the street it does not matter as much.

Your AD08's a 205 size? How long you had them on and do they seem worth the premium price to you?

[apex2apex]

Your AD08's a 205 size? How long you had them on and do they seem worth the premium price to you?

Yes AD08's in 205/50/15. Only did one trackday on them, they feel really sharp (suppose to have stiffest sidewall amongst street tires), great grip and don't get greasy in 20 mins session. As far as if they are worth it? In larger sizes, I would say NO unless you must have stiff size wall. According to the latest GRM, I would probably get RS3 , Z1* or XS (if you dont drive in the rain) on price factor alone.

I bought them with $75 rebate, so the price premium is not bad.

[brandonmpace]

I had Kuhmo ASX 205/50 15 tires on my car for a while and they Suck in rain. Go for a different type.

Yeah I currently have the 205/50/15 Kumho AST's on my car on the stock rims and they're definitely not the best in rain, but I actually kind of like them even though I know there are better tires out there. I also don't have that much to spend because I'm also getting the rims and a roll bar..
The only problems I've had with the AST's are rolling onto the sidewall at "normal" pressures, and when I was not completely paying attention in the rain.

[Radio-Active]

The ASX tires are Asymetrical. The AST's on the other hand are directional. I would think of the two that the directional tread pattern would be better for the rain.