any one running 200 series on stock p5 wheels?

[Mazda P5 driver]

^^agreed. I personally wouldn't run 205/40 but not because of any safety concern. My 205/45s are just fine, thanks.
Just about every 3rd genner on here still running the stock wheels has switched to 205/45.

No problems what so ever? even with the skinnier than recommended rims?

What tire and what pressure are you running?

 

[Nomad]

what do you mean skinnier than recomended rims?
Who is recomending these to you?

I run 205 on my miata's 6 and even 5.5" wide rims.

I think you are taking someone's suggestion on rim/tire sizes too literally.

You'd surprised what you can actually run. 215's on 5.5" wide or 195's on 8" wide.
Racers look for any advantage they can get.

205 is a minute differece compared to 195 when you are talking about a rim of 6" wide. If Mazda didn't have to look at costs, they'd probably have 205's as stock.

 

[falsedawn]

"definite no-no"?
Explain where you get your data from.

I get my data from the tire manufacturers, who know a hell of a lot more than you or I, and virtually all specify minimum of 7" wide rims for this profile.

Plus, the speedo error is excessive, you lose MPG becuase of the increased revs, and the ride harshness is too much of a penalty for very little gain. If you want to go for lower profile then 50, you really need a larger diameter (and maybe width) wheel.

 

[Moonman8]

So most people say that a 205/50/16 provides that same ride quality as the stock 195/50 but with slightly better grip due to 10mm wider.
Am I correct in assuming this?

Also, I run 205/45/16 on stock P5 wheels and there are absolutely no mechanical/performance issues. They operate just fine, I just don't like the harshness of the 45 profile.

 

[Mazda P5 driver]

what do you mean skinnier than recomended rims?
Who is recomending these to you?

I run 205 on my miata's 6 and even 5.5" wide rims.

I think you are taking someone's suggestion on rim/tire sizes too literally.

You'd surprised what you can actually run. 215's on 5.5" wide or 195's on 8" wide.
Racers look for any advantage they can get.

205 is a minute differece compared to 195 when you are talking about a rim of 6" wide. If Mazda didn't have to look at costs, they'd probably have 205's as stock.

Toyo's site for the Proxes 4 recomends a 6.5-7.5" rim for 205-45-16 but the 205-50-16 is ok. The P5's rim is a 6" is it not?

 

[Nomad]

The speedo error is not excessive. The tires fit and perform perfectly. I get 29-30mpg regulary with highway and city driving and averaged 31mpg over 900 miles on a long mountain trip.

Tire companies also have to appeal to the masses of consumers and their lawyer friends.

If you are unsure and not confident with something other than factory reccomendation, then buy the same factory size. If you want something else, then buy what everyone else has 205/50/16 and don't worry what other sizes will fit.

 

[Black_Protege_5]

I had the pirelli p7000 205/45 on my stock rims. I had no problems at all except they were still too skinny for me. But they were great and handled well. As for the stock dunlops, after a couple of runs in the canyon and I burnt them out in 3 months. But the tire shop told me not to go any larger than 205's on the stock rims. And usually the tire pressure is stamped on the actual tire so don't follow the factory specs as those are for the factory tires.

 

[Mmmmmken]

I've got Hankook Ventus V4's on mine now. Wanted a decent all season high performance tire for the winter. At 33 psi they feel pretty good, a little too harsh at 34 psi...
Contrary to the post below, DO follow the manufacturers pressure recommendations. The psi on the tire is a max, and not the recommended psi on any givin car, since weight is a factor. I went a bit on the plus side, because a little higher psi is better in snow.

I had the pirelli p7000 205/45 on my stock rims. I had no problems at all except they were still too skinny for me. But they were great and handled well. As for the stock dunlops, after a couple of runs in the canyon and I burnt them out in 3 months. But the tire shop told me not to go any larger than 205's on the stock rims. And usually the tire pressure is stamped on the actual tire so don't follow the factory specs as those are for the factory tires.

 

[Greg S]

So you guys have put 205 45 16's on with zero problems??

Will the Pzero Nero M+S in 205-45-16 fit our rims?

I can't find the info on their site.

Yes, they fit fine and work much better than the Dunlops. Had them on for the last 25,000 miles with pleanty of tread left and they still handle great.

 

[Mazda P5 driver]

Yes, they fit fine and work much better than the Dunlops. Had them on for the last 25,000 miles with pleanty of tread left and they still handle great.

The Proxes 4's are at 17k and they are telling me half tread and that's the ones move to the front today. the one in the back now are just a little lower. No wear bars and I don't expect them till summer. but... when I look at new tires i swear mine look almost bald. haha..they aren't but in comparison it definitely looks used.

I think the treadwear on the Proxes 4 is 300 and the Perelli...M+S is 400. How are they in light snow? let's say a few inches. How is the sidewall strength? Dunlops > Proxes 4 in that regard. = quicker side to side transistions and less dive at braking and a better feel.

 

[djp5]

And usually the tire pressure is stamped on the actual tire so don't follow the factory specs as those are for the factory tires.

Please, please! Tires have the MAXIMUM pressure they can hold stamped on the sidewall. Usually this will be around 50 psi. Even if you are not running stock tires/wheels, the best and safest place to start is with the Mazda recommended pressure (found on door jamb, 32 psi f/r). Then, if you have a little help or experience you can tune the pressure. But generally, never go below the manufacturer pressure and certain NEVER above the pressure stamped on the sidewall!

As for everything else, check the tech articles on tirerack.com or in the interest of safety I would be happy to help with any specific questions anyone has.

 

[Mmmmmken]

Yeah... I was shaking my head on that bad advice also!

Please, please! Tires have the MAXIMUM pressure they can hold stamped on the sidewall. Usually this will be around 50 psi. Even if you are not running stock tires/wheels, the best and safest place to start is with the Mazda recommended pressure (found on door jamb, 32 psi f/r). Then, if you have a little help or experience you can tune the pressure. But generally, never go below the manufacturer pressure and certain NEVER above the pressure stamped on the sidewall!

As for everything else, check the tech articles on tirerack.com or in the interest of safety I would be happy to help with any specific questions anyone has.

 

[Nomad]

So with that said... Shall we all start a thread titled "what tire pressure are you running?"

That's always a fun one.

 

[Greg S]

I think the treadwear on the Proxes 4 is 300 and the Perelli...M+S is 400. How are they in light snow? let's say a few inches. How is the sidewall strength? Dunlops > Proxes 4 in that regard. = quicker side to side transistions and less dive at braking and a better feel.

Sidewall stength seems to be pretty good, definitely better than the Dunlops. As for snow, couldn't tell you as it doesn't snow here, I'm in Southern California only time we see snow is when we go to visit the wife's family in Japan.

 

[dmitrik4]

from what i've gathered, the Nero M+S is pretty capable in light snow for what it is. that's my next tire, in 205/50/16.

i wouldn't run the 205/40/16s on my protege just b/c they're so short, and god knows the enigne is already turning high enough on the highway as it is. but to each his own, i guess.

the thing that makes a difference in rim recommendations is the sidewall height. a 205/50 is easier to mount on a 6" rim than a -45 or a -40 (Nomad, i suspect you either know your tire guy well or he doesn't like you now). you'll notice that the reommended range of sizes increases with a higher aspect ratio.

recommendations are just that. i know people fitting 225 hoosiers on 5.5" rims. not that that always produces more grip (or if it does, it trades off something relse, like responsiveness).

anyway, 205/45 or 205/50 will work fine on our stock 6" rims (what the hell kind of size is 16x6, anyway?).

BTW, i think the dunlops are great in the dry, esp compared to most OE tires. they suck in the wet and snow, though.

 

[Nomad]

I found a great shop to mount tires. They put "rubber band" tires on 20" chrome RIMZ all day, so no problems here. (at $40 total!)

Yep, not ideal, but for $100 set of 4 new tires I'm ok with that to get me through the winter months.

I agree, what's up with 16 x 6 size! I have 14 x 6 on my Miata!

 

[dmitrik4]

at least it's not the 17x6 that came on the SRT-4. blech.

 

[Greg S]

I found a great shop to mount tires. They put "rubber band" tires on 20" chrome RIMZ all day, so no problems here. (at $40 total!)

Yep, not ideal, but for $100 set of 4 new tires I'm ok with that to get me through the winter months.

I agree, what's up with 16 x 6 size! I have 14 x 6 on my Miata!

Just depends on what will work ofr the suspension geometry. I had 17"s made for my old MX-6 by Budnik and they would only do a 17 X 7" to keep the stock offset and still clear the suspension components. Had to love the rims though as they were the only set of FWD Budnik Tusk made as I had to go in and have teh car measured and then wait to have them designed and built.

 

[dmitrik4]

that's fine, but mada made up the suspension geometry. we're not talking about someone who had to deal with what the factory put out. they ARE the factory...so what's up with the oddball size? my guess is, "we want to advertise 16" wheels, but don't want to add cost."

and dodge later put out an SRT-4 ACR with 16x7 wheels, so i don't think the car was limited for some reason to a 6" width.

 

[eting_pro5]

So you guys have put 205 45 16's on with zero problems??

Will the Pzero Nero M+S in 205-45-16 fit our rims?

I can't find the info on their site.

Did it a couple months ago and my car is still rolling. Ride does seem slightly rougher, and quite noticably louder.

maybe a 50 series would help.

And the stock wheels are 6.5 inches wide.