Low profile tyres

[psychotic madman]

Hello all. I have some 205/40/17 tyres on my mk2. They make the ride a little hard and, i think, probably use more fuel. I am thinking of getting some 60s or possibly bigger, but i dont want to leave my 40s at the tyre fitters as they have only covered about 200 miles. Does anyone know of anywhere in Lancashire where i can get an exchange?, Thanks. Chris.

[Mazda Mender]

You need to fit 16" rims as the 17" will always be a hard ride and fit rainsports tyres.
M-m

[Lazza]

I have 2 sets of wheels, 17s & 15s. The 15s wear 195/50/15 and the 17s the same 205/40/17 as you and to be honest there's very little difference in ride between them, in fact I'd say the "heavy" 17s give a more stable feel and the 15s feel more "lively". I prefer the 17s on the road so the 15s are relegated to track use.

You can't just change to 60 profile anyway as the overall circumference will be much too big. 205/40/17 is already a bit bigger than ideal, with 205/60/17 (if that size is even available) the speedo will under-read which is of course illegal.

[psychotic madman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-MX-5-Al ... 1438.l2649
New 16" wheels ordered. Just the outer arches to do and new tyres on the rims and a good polish and i will be happy. Only paid £200 for them.

[psychotic madman]

Right, i am bloody confused. I have purchased some new alloys, 16x6.5j, et is 45. I have on my mk2 nbfl 17" with 205/40/17 tyres. I asked about going down a size for a more comfortable ride, I was advised by mm to go for 16" rims, which i have got, now the fun begins... I was thinking of putting 205/55/16 rainsports on the rims, (42 each fitted, which i think is a bargain), then i thought that maybe 195s would give me a softer ride, the garage i usually go to says these will be too big for the car, but another garage has told me these will fit, please help me out as i want to get them on my baby. Any advice would be soooooo much appreciated. Thanks. Chris.

[drumtochty]

Assuming the 17" wheels and tyres are the original fitment please advise if this is correct.

You have a diameter of around 596 mm on the 17 in tyres and to keep the speedomenter correct we do not want to vary that much.

Now you have bought 16" rimes

205 55 16 tyres have a diameter of 632mm that will cause the speedometer to underead.

205 45 16 tyres have a diameter of 591mm that will be similar to the existing 17" tyres which is better for the speedometer accuracy .

195 50 16 have a diameter of 601 mm which is again the nearest diameter to the 17 in tyres in a 195 16 tyre therefore helps re speedometer readings.

The 195 tyres will be a good fit space wise and be a higher aspect ratio tyre and may well be a softer ride but one of the other posters does not notice a difference in ride quality.

[psychotic madman]

Original size for the car was 15"

[drumtochty]

You have a diameter of around 596 mm on the 17 in tyres

The original tyre at 195 50 15 had a diameter of 576mm

Now you have bought 16" rims.

205 55 16 tyres have a diameter of 632mm that will cause the speedometer to underead.

205 45 16 tyres have a diameter of 591mm that will be similar to the existing 17" tyres which is better for the speedometer accuracy .

195 50 16 have a diameter of 601 mm which is the taller of the 195 16 tyres.

195 45 16 have a diameter of 582mm in that case the are very close to the original fitment by Mazda.

Therefore possible softer ride with 195 50 16 but nearer to original Mazda fitment with 195 45 16
The 195 tyres will be a good fit space wise and be a higher aspect ratio tyre and may well be a softer ride but one of the other posters does not notice a difference in ride quality.

[psychotic madman]

Phew, this is getting complicated, i think 195 45 is going to be the way to go then. Thanks for taking the time to explain all this to me, i appreciate it.

[Lazza]

I'd go with 205/45/16 - the standard 16" size fitted to some Mk2.5s. You really won't feel a difference between any of the sizes assuming the same tyre in each case. The tyre itself, the geo alignment and the quality of the shocks/springs will make much more of a difference.

[psychotic madman]

Got the 195/45/16s on, a hell of a difference, much smoother ride.