15 inch wheels on P5???

[Don]

I'm guessing this won't be a problem, but I thought I'd ask the experts first, just to make sure I'm not about to make an expensive mistake.

I'm looking at going with a 15 inch wheel, 6 1/2 inches wide with a 40 mm offset - Tire size will be 205/55-15.

Will I have any brake or suspension clearance problems with these?

Thanks,

Don

 

[Jim Frye]

Don't Think So

I don't think you have the clearance for the calipers. Also the online shops won't show a 15" wheel for on the P5. Even though the Protege LX has 15"x6.0" wheels and the rotors are the same size, the question becomes are the calipers completely different on the ES and the P5? How did you arrive at your offset dimension?
Besides, you can go 205/45-16 on the stock rims to get a 205 mm tire or are you looking for some ride and pothole compliance?
JIm

 

[MikeyP]

15" Wheels

15" Steel wheels fit my P5 just fine.. worked great in winter. I don't know why 15" Alloys wouldn't fit...?

 

[Don]

I really like the BBS "basketweave" wheels - I've got a set on my Miata

Mazda put a very similar wheel on the RX-7's in a 15 X 6.5 with a 40 mm offset in our bolt pattern, and I thought a set of those might look very nice on my P5. I'm sure there would be no rubbing on the suspension components with the 40 mm offset, but thought I might be getting too close to the outside of the fenderwells. Glad to hear that it sounds like the brakes should clear.

The 205/55-15 tires would keep the diameter the same, and the extra cushion of the 55 series tires would also be nice.

Don

 

[fastdrvr23]

Don, I remember a while back that you were considering the 205/50R16's on the P5 factory wheels... Have you heard of problems or something with that setup, or did you just decide to go with a different style? I will be looking into getting some 205/50's in the next few months. Thanks...

 

[Don]

No problem that I know of - If I were ordering tires to put on my stock rims, I'd go with the 205/50's as there's a much better selection in that size. Bridgestone's site says they are fine on a 6 inch wheel.

I just thought the BBS wheels would look good on the P5 - Went so far this morning as to block it up and set a pair of my Miata wheels in the wheel wells - Can't bolt them on - 4 lugs vs. 5 - Looked kind of puny (they're 14 inch with 195/55 tires) but other than that, we really liked the look.

Don

 

[fastdrvr23]

No problem that I know of - If I were ordering tires to put on my stock rims, I'd go with the 205/50's as there's a much better selection in that size. Bridgestone's site says they are fine on a 6 inch wheel.

I just thought the BBS wheels would look good on the P5 - Went so far this morning as to block it up and set a pair of my Miata wheels in the wheel wells - Can't bolt them on - 4 lugs vs. 5 - Looked kind of puny (they're 14 inch with 195/55 tires) but other than that, we really liked the look.

Don

Thanks for the reply. I was just curious in case there was a problem with the 50's. I think BBS wheels look great on a miata, and they would look awesome on a P5 as well. I always thought the mid 90's miata LE's looked awesome with the BBS. Thanks again...

 

[Liquidturbo2000]

You'll be faster and have quicker accel with those 15 inchers.. go for it man!

 

[Don]

Not really - With a 205/55-15 on them they're just a tad bigger around than the OEM setup with the 195/50-16

Don

 

[Korey Chaos]

15's (piss) (puke) (pukey). Just leave the stocks on.

 

[Don]

Bought the wheels.

Had the centerbore machined to fit the P5 ($50) and the wheel bolts on perfectly, and the calipers still have tons of room - Looks like even a 14 inch wheel might clear the brakes. They're WIDER, as they're 6 1/2 inches, and the offest is just 40 mm - Looks like it will be pretty flush with the fenders on the outside

Tires currently in shipment, and will have them on the car early next week - I'll post a pic of the completed setup.

Don

 

[dolphin]

Don,
I put a set of 225/50-15 tires on 7x15 wheels and I had no problems. That was on an MP3 but I doubt there is that much difference.