Feedback - Plus Zero Tire Size for P5

[zanardi 47]

The stock tire size for the P5 16" rims are 195/50/16.

I was thinking about going to a Plus Zero size (i.e. 205/45/16) to have additional tire selection options. Anyone have feedback on running a plus zero tire size on the P5 (stock rims / vehicle)? I'm looking at running the Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S b/c of the all season like design and also want to know if anyone has used these for as all season tire. I live in SE Michigan, so the cars sees mostly dry and wet, but some snow and icy conditions.

My priorities in tire features:
1) Dry traction performance
2) Wet traction performance
3) Snow traction performance
4) Tire value vs tire durability
5) Noise and ride comfort

Are there any other tire choices out there?

I'm fairly satisfied with the Dunlop SP5000 tires. The Dunlop tires could do better in wet conditions. Dry and snow traction is good. We currently have logged 47,000 miles on these tires and have about 5/32" left ... getting close to the wear bars.

 

[romecandleboy]

I think you'll meet all of your priorities with the 205/50/16 size, plus it rides a little smoother. There are many more choices in that size. 205/45 has a lower profile than the stock size so there's a little less rubber. 205's will also fill the wheel wells a little more.

 

[RedKatanax9]

The stock tire size for the P5 16" rims are 195/50/16.

I was thinking about going to a Plus Zero size (i.e. 205/45/16) to have additional tire selection options. Anyone have feedback on running a plus zero tire size on the P5 (stock rims / vehicle)? I'm looking at running the Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S b/c of the all season like design and also want to know if anyone has used these for as all season tire. I live in SE Michigan, so the cars sees mostly dry and wet, but some snow and icy conditions.

My priorities in tire features:
1) Dry traction performance
2) Wet traction performance
3) Snow traction performance
4) Tire value vs tire durability
5) Noise and ride comfort

Are there any other tire choices out there?

I'm fairly satisfied with the Dunlop SP5000 tires. The Dunlop tires could do better in wet conditions. Dry and snow traction is good. We currently have logged 47,000 miles on these tires and have about 5/32" left ... getting close to the wear bars.

Yeah, 205-50-16 is a good size to go. My stock tires worn out at 35K. I needed a good set of all season tires that would have better wet and snow traction than other all seasons because I am in Oregon and go snowboarding often in the winter. I settled on BFG Traction T/A, 60K warranty I think, got them at Costco for around $370, mounted, balanced and all. So far I really like them, noticably quieter and perform well all around.

 

[Mp5speed]

I just recently plus sized to 205/50/16 Hankook tires. I didnt think it'll make that big of a difference but it really did. The stock tires are just ok dry but are horrible wet, allowing you to easily hydroplane. My first tire change, i went with 195/50/16 Kumho Supras, I didnt plus size. The dry traction was incredible, like night and day compared to the stock ones. Wet traction just average. They were summer tires so snow traction was non existent. After they went bald I then plus sized to the Hankooks. Not only do they perform alot better, they look alot better also. Dry traction and takeoffs are excellent. But they feel 1000% better in the rain than stock rubber. My car has yet to hydroplane in the rain with the plus tires. It's difficult now to try to fishtail my car or drift because the damn traction is so good and theres not even enough torque pushed by the protege to get a good peel out on em'. The rubber also raps around the stock wheel alot nicer and fills the fender wells. It also helps when parking next to a curb cause now i dont scratch the edge of the rim if i get too close, it will instead hit the tire. Snow traction has yet to have been tested, I live in Texas, need i say more? Sorry so lengthy, hope it helps.

 

[sidpro5]

I'm also going plus-zero (205/50/16) on Friday when I get my Neo-Gens mounted. My front 5000's are balding pretty badly at 16k, so I figured I'd go all new. Can't wait to break 'em in!
Mp5speed. which Hankooks did you get? I was considering them, but couldn't find a many reviews.

 

[Mp5speed]

I got Hankook Optimo K406. I couldn't be more happy with em'.

 

[fLyPiNoY7]

pirelli p-zero neros r awesome...im running 205/50/16 on my car...

 

[NVP5White]

I think the most significant performance difference will come with the type (Summer or Max Perf All Season vs. crappy SP5000's) rather than the sidewall height. With the added benefit of *slightly* more rubber between the road and the rim. If you car isn't lowered then the added sidewall height will help eliminate the wheel gap. IMO, there are too many advantages to going 205/50-16 on the P5, and very few, if any, disadvantages.

If I were a Michigan driver on stock wheels then I'd *have to* get all-season tires. P-zero's are probably the best. Toyo Proxes4 and Khumo ECSTA ASX are very close as well. I'm not familiar with the Hankooks, but from what I've read on the forum they're pretty good. Depending on price, I'll probably go with the Toyo's or the Khumos at the end of the summer.

Good luck.

 

[Mplvan]

Yoko AVS ES-100 (205/50/16), Have had them for about 30K miles great tire for the stock P5 wheel. Louie

 

[protegeV]

go 205/50/16...205/45/16 is gonna be a skinnier sidewall wich equals road isolation and wheel gap.

 

[mogi]

a 205/45-16 is going to be a closer match to the stock 195/50-16 than the 205/50-16. Just so you don't get confused, the middle number (45, 50, etc) is a ratio of the width (205, 195, etc). if you are at all concerned about mileage/speedo being on, go with the 45 ratio...

 

[mountjonas]

205/50-16 neo-gens here. no complaints.

 

[NVP5White]

a 205/45-16 is going to be a closer match to the stock 195/50-16 than the 205/50-16. Just so you don't get confused, the middle number (45, 50, etc) is a ratio of the width (205, 195, etc). if you are at all concerned about mileage/speedo being on, go with the 45 ratio...

I hate to put too fine a point on something like tire sizing, but based on calculations provided by the Miata.net tire calc tool, there is nearly identical deviation in circumference when you move to a 205 series tire. The 45 series sidewall will be 1.3" smaller in circ, and the 50 series sidewall will be 1.2" larger in circ.

Both result in a 1.7% speedo deviation which is negligable by any standard.

 

[SeminoleMan]

P Zero Neros

The Pirelli P-Zero Neros M&S tires are awesome. I've had the 205/50-16 size on since the first of March and notice a little smoother ride and much better wet weather capabilities, especially over the crap Dunlops that came with the car. Get em, I recommend them to anyone and plan on buying these again in the future.

 

[Protege52003]

i'm getting some 205/50/16's when i have to get new tires for my 16 x 7 konigs. i would have gotten 205/45/16's for my stock rims.

 

[SeminoleMan]

i'm getting some 205/50/16's when i have to get new tires for my 16 x 7 konigs. i would have gotten 205/45/16's for my stock rims.

It's a matter of taste I guess. But either way, speedo calibration diff is negligible and performance is still much improved over the Dunlops. I just prefer to have a little more sidewall to protect my flawless rims and to not have an even more noticeable wheel gap (stock suspension.)

 

[sidpro5]

205/50-16 neo-gens here. no complaints.

Will also have mine on tomorrow. Hope I won't have any complaints.

Also, for all of you talking about "less wheel gap/more wheel gap" with 50's or 45's----you do realize the difference is only 5 mm either way, right? Not even a half inch. If you're not lowered, this WILL NOT make that big of a difference in wheel gap. If anything, the wider section width will give the perception of a "smaller" wheel gap.

195/50/16=97.5 sidewall.
205/45/16=92.5
205/50/16=102.5

 

[Protege52003]

It's a matter of taste I guess. But either way, speedo calibration diff is negligible and performance is still much improved over the Dunlops. I just prefer to have a little more sidewall to protect my flawless rims and to not have an even more noticeable wheel gap (stock suspension.)

yeah look at my set-up. got the rims last fall and figured i would drop this spring after the winter.....i use steel rims with snows for the winter.

she is getting dropped sunday!!!!!

i guess i deleted my good side pic but here are the rims now on stock suspension.

 

[RedKatanax9]

Will also have mine on tomorrow. Hope I won't have any complaints.

Also, for all of you talking about "less wheel gap/more wheel gap" with 50's or 45's----you do realize the difference is only 5 mm either way, right? Not even a half inch. If you're not lowered, this WILL NOT make that big of a difference in wheel gap. If anything, the wider section width will give the perception of a "smaller" wheel gap.

195/50/16=97.5 sidewall.
205/45/16=92.5
205/50/16=102.5

True, although even at 5mm it's still discernible, not as much as like 1.25" lowered, but nonetheless discernible.

 

[chuyler1]

Going to a wider tire will almost always hurt your traction in snow. Get a set of cheap 15" (or maybe 14") steel wheels and snow tires for the winter. Then you just have to worry about dry/wet traction.