Anyone running 215/45/16's?

[markmdz89hatch]

Oddly enough, they're almost spot-on for the overall diameter of the stock size (195/50/16).

I know there's not a huge selection available in this size, but this should be a much 'tighter' tire and provides a way bigger contact patch so traction and sidewall roll resistance should both be noticeably better (dry obviously. wet and snow could get interesting).

Is anyone running these right now? Any pics? Are you running them on the OEM wheels or aftermarket? ...any clearance issues? (rubbing, etc?)

 

[rustychops41]

My 2002 PR5 ran this size on 16x7 wheels with a stock offset. Zero rubbing issues loaded or not, and it had a full MSP suspension. Looked nice and filled the wheel well much better.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

that's awesome news. ...next time I have to replace my tires, this is definitely the way I'm going. ...I'm definitely going to get yelled at by the tire installer because he's going to be pissed about having to squish them on stock wheels.

I'm guessing you lost about 1-1.5 mpg when you did this? I noticed a definite different when I went to 205/45's from the 195/50's years ago.

 

[concept]

I'm running 205/50/16s (far more popular size than the OEM size) and steering response/handling is excellent.

 

[tjk775]

i have 205/40/16 on mine. i need new tires and will probably get 205/45/16. just to keep a clean look and not just a rubber band on the wheel

it lowered it a bit and definitely helped the handling at 44psi

 

[njaremka]

i have 215/45-16's on 16x8 FD wheels with 3mm spacers on my car. i have ZERO clearnace issues with the tires or the wheels. 215/45's on the stock 16's will be a bit of a squeeze since the stock wheels are only 6 inches wide.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

i have 215/45-16's on 16x8 FD wheels with 3mm spacers on my car. i have ZERO clearnace issues with the tires or the wheels. 215/45's on the stock 16's will be a bit of a squeeze since the stock wheels are only 6 inches wide.

This is exactly what I was looking for. What's the offset on your FD's? Agree that the 215 on a 6" (I thought it was 6.5") wheel is a pain in the nuts for the installer, but that's definitely not the worst I've put a tire installer through. (225/45-13 on 6" honda wheels).

 

[AlumarX]

I literatelly just bought my (first) car, I've had it for only 2 hours. However, the tires have little thread left in them. I'm running on the stock Protege ES wheels and stock tyre size with stock suspension. Could anybody enlighten me on tyre choice? I would like to have a little more meat. I was looking at trying out 205/50-16.

 

[njaremka]

This is exactly what I was looking for. What's the offset on your FD's? Agree that the 215 on a 6" (I thought it was 6.5") wheel is a pain in the nuts for the installer, but that's definitely not the worst I've put a tire installer through. (225/45-13 on 6" honda wheels).

the FD wheels are 16x8 +50, and i have them installed with a 3mm spacer at all four corners. the spacers effectively make the wheels +47 offset.

 

[concept]

I literatelly just bought my (first) car, I've had it for only 2 hours. However, the tires have little thread left in them. I'm running on the stock Protege ES wheels and stock tyre size with stock suspension. Could anybody enlighten me on tyre choice? I would like to have a little more meat. I was looking at trying out 205/50-16.

Check these out:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...rue&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&x=12&y=16

I have the Conti Extreme Contact UHP Summer versions (first one listed) on my other Mazda and they are incredible tires.

 

[AlumarX]

I ended up going with some all-season hankooks. I can't believe stores here only sell all season tires, and they are as expensive as high performance summer tires. It's ridiculous. I might have to buy some 17" wheels altogether to be able to get good tires, unless I order them online and pay a lot for shipping.

 

[markmdz89hatch]

the FD wheels are 16x8 +50, and i have them installed with a 3mm spacer at all four corners. the spacers effectively make the wheels +47 offset.

Oh crap, I just realized you're in CT too. I'm in Newtown (out near Danbury). You ever in the area? If not, any chance you're willing to snap a pic of your wheel/tire combo on your car and post it up?

Now since I did the '06 Mazda6 front brakes, the 16's are the smallest I can run, which effectively means my 15" snows are now worthless. So now I need to get another set of snows, and I'm debating just putting snows on the stock ES wheels, then bumping up to a set of snowflakes, or Gen2 MS3 wheels, but I can't find the bastards for even a somewhat reasonable price.

Either way I go, I'm looking to fill up the wheel well a bit better, and might might might consider running spacers to decrease the offset to bring the wheel almost flush, but I will not do so if there's even the slightest bit of rubbing. I want to keep an oem look while making it more aggressive and clean.

After this wheel/tire situation is straightened out, it's off to an MSP (with small fmic) turbo setup.

 

[njaremka]

here are some shots from last summer. the set-up fits very well on the protege sedan. i have ZERO rubbing.

i'm not sure how they would fit over the mazda6 brakes. i "think" they are the same size as the MSP front brakes? if so, then they will fit fine, as i have the MSP front brakes on my car, too.