Effect of larger wheels on overall look and height?

[-pixy-]

True for the OD.

But having less rubber around the wheels will make the wheel well gap bigger thus making the car appear raised a small amount.

Has anyone ever noticed that cars with bigger wheels at stock height look kinda goofy until they are lowered?

the wheel gap will be the same because the larger rim makes up that difference.

 

[Rosshole]

the wheel gap will be the same because the larger rim makes up that difference.

sorry, I meant to type that it will make the gap appear bigger

 

[MonkeyBone]

it is better to downsize a bit your tires if you have a BIG drop of 2 inch or more
.75 inch is not a risk factor for your fenders if you keep the same overall diameter

you can keep the same OD with a 2 inch drop...but fender rolling it will be

 

[JoshP5]

you can keep the same OD with a 2 inch drop...but fender rolling it will be

Wrong again. With the correct offset it can easily be done without rolling. You keep talking about tire size and drop without mentioning a critical factor: offset.

 

[Sveivo]

Some spacers required.

You should mention that you are lowered, in case it's not obvious


Edit to add: The bottom line is that the wheel gap will still be greater at the top of the wheel well, unless you lower. I tried to get meatier tires to cheat the wheel gap game. It just doesn't work.

Unless, of course, you're totally fine with having wheel gap.

 

[Sveivo]

If you're worried about the ride height being too low, here's what I found. My car lowered is still not as low to the ground as some of the full size BMWs and especially the new Civics! Let a alone the Minis and the Corvettes. So I don't think it's going to be a problem. Just get some mild springs.

Peace.

PS: I didn't actually take measurements. I scientifically guessed

 

[gottacatchup]

Back to the original question you can put 17s on the P5 without a drop and it wont look funny. I refuse to drop my car because of all the construction/crappy roads around where I live and would rather just now have to worry about draggin anywhere.

VVVV Thats what it looks like btw VVVV

 

[Dermen]

If you put 215/40/17s on the car it won't make the car higher, but the ride quality will suffer because of the smaller sidewall. (this is a bad thing if you live on crappy roads) And it still might look weird, most cars at stock height look weird with larger rims IMO.

If you put 215/45/17s on the car it will make it about .5" higher, but the sidewall will be very close to stock so the ride quality should be close to stock.

I would either stick with 16s or lower the car a bit and get 215/45/17s. With 215/45/17s and a .75" drop your car should only sit about .25" lower.

I got the numbers from the miata.net tire size calculator.

 

[Sveivo]

So basically it comes down to a personal preference. Also depends on your definition of "funny."

 

[MonkeyBone]

yeah offset is critical. on the fender side as well as the strut side...wanna keep them clear! i think +48 to +55 offset is right

 

[MonkeyBone]

Josh P5
245/35R17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 on an 8.5 inch wide wheel with +55 offset.What do you think? will it fit? (enguard)

 

[thrasher]

Mazda6 17" rims with stock tires will rub the rear strut. You need spacers and smaller tires.

Oh ya, they also weigh nearly 2x what stock P5 rims weigh.

 

[Sveivo]

Mazda6 17" rims with stock tires will rub the rear strut. You need spacers and smaller tires.

Oh ya, they also weigh nearly 2x what stock P5 rims weigh.

20 second quarter mile FTW!!!

 

[MonkeyBone]

20 sec on the 1/4? lol were you in a hummer? (rlaugh)

 

[Sveivo]

20 sec on the 1/4? lol were you in a hummer? (rlaugh)

Lol, those things probably do run a 20 sec pass.