Tires

[ping]

Depending on what you're looking for, the Conti Extreme Contact is like $100 shipped from discount tire (www.tires.com) or about that from www.tirerack.com . They get excellent reviews and are probably actually worth something in the snow, and will wear better than many of the summer tires. They're almost definitely my next set once the stockers wear out... check them out on tire racks site, there are good reviews, etc. there. Also, the WalMart near me does eggs-cellent mounting for about $12/tire, just get to know the guys there, show up later in the afternoon and NOT on a Saturday morning or when they're busy, and you're set up. Talk 'em up. They'll be interested enough to do a good job - worked for me!

Oh - Falkens were AWFUL ROTTEN BAD for me, very unpredictable in rain - would let go if you breathed wrong. Wouldn't hydroplane, but wet grip was extremely unpredictable, were pretty loud too. Were OK when driven at 50% on very smooth dry roads, but so is a Buick Park Avenue. Can't in good conscience recommend them, (sorry to disagree with the other post).

 

[scott42]

Hey guys, if I'm bumping up from 205 t0 215, do I have to drop from 45 to 40 series? I ordered the 215/45/17 from tires.com and got an email saying that it might not be the right size for my car...the stock tires were 205/45/17...anyone have any input?
thanks

 

[ping]

The Mazdaspeed proteges run 215/45/17's right out of the box, not much clearance for anything larger but they'll fit. The 215/45's will throw your speedo off by a bit (speedo will read lower than actual speed - so be careful) because they're larger in diameter.

A 215/40 would probably be closer, but call your dealer and ask for the ACTUAL measurements, that way you can compare the diameter (or even circumference) to your stock size and make the decision that way. I know www.tires.com was very helpful to me when I went to them for snows; they sent me an email and called telling me I'd chosen a less-than-optimal size. They were right, AND (importantly to me) had the info there to back it up.

Good luck!

 

[scott42]

I don't get it though, why would 215 be a larger diameter (I understand larger contact area) when the 40-45 is what determines sidewall size...all I'm doing is making the tire a tad wider...also why would 215/40 be more optimal over 215/45 when the stock MP3 wheels are 205/45?
I'm confused
Thanks for any info. you could provide.

Also, if the MSP's are running 215/45/17 out of the box and the MP3 is essentially the exact same design, how would that make a difference?

 

[ping]

Check www.tirerack.com for the tech explanation, I'll try to summarize here: Bear with me, using 215/45ZR17 as the example,

215 is the section width in mm, basically the width of the tread. For SAE fans, this equates to about 8.46 inches wide.

45 is the "aspect ratio", or how high the sidewall is relative to the tread width. In this case, the sidewall is 45% as high as the tread is wide, or (using math) 0.45 * 215, or about 96.75mm high. Remember, diameter includes the height of TWO sidewalls. If you have a 215/40 vs. a 215/45, the 215/40 tire is smaller in diameter by (math again) 5% * 215 * 2, or 21.5mm (about 7/8"). This can throw your speedo off some, and gives more (or less) rim protection.

Z is the speed rating, check another website for the actual meaning of the letters, but "Z" means the tire is good for 130+MPH.

R means radial construction

17 is the rim diameter.

SO... math works with the section width as well:

205*45% = 92.25mm
215*45%=96.75 mm

SO... since there are 2 sidewalls, the 215 is ~9mm taller (about 3/8")

THAT SAID..., different tire manufacturers maks tires in teh same numerical size that measure out differently - it always pays to check the actual measurements when buying tires. This also removes some calculation, since they publish the overall diameter of the tire (you don't have to calculate it). Check that the width and height will clear the struts and fenders in the back and the bodywork/suspension at the front - at full compression and full lock in both directions.

GOOD LUCK! Remember, www.tirerack.com has great articles on this.

 

[Fyrespirit37]

I'm in college too and i went with the yokohama avs es 100's was $400 exactly (including shipping) for 4 tires from www.tirerack.com

as far as wear on them i 'm not sure i havent had them on lkong but i assume they will make it between 20 and 30k miles.

 

[scott42]

Ping, thanks for that thorough write up. Very informative. But my question remains though, 215/45/17 should be just fine for my car, as compared to the 215/40/17 that they reccomended, right?215/40/17 doesn't necessarily = 205/45/17 as your formula shows
Based on your formula 215/40/17, which tires.com reccomended would be
215*40%=86mm
and compared to stock would be way off/too small (16.5mm too small)
205*45%=92.25mm
and
215*45%=96.75mm would be closer to the original size than the alternative (9 mm too big).

thanks again.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

scott42,
I'm considering 215/45/17 as well. I think the wider tire will look sweet, and stick even better. You are correct that 215/45/17 is a closer fit than 215/40/17. The only thing I worry about is having SPOOL springs, but MSPs with 215/45/17s are running lowered just fine, so I guess I should be OK. Supposedly the rears are what rub the most on our cars, and my SPOOL springs didn't drop as much in the front so I should be OK. Should be interesting .

Chris

 

[scott42]

Cool. Thanks for re-assuring me, I had completed the order the other day and was worried I'd be getting the wrong size. i'm all for bigger than smaller. smoother ride, longer life.

later

 

[LinuxRacr]

I have the Falken ZIEX 512 tires on the front, and my balding Dunlops on the back. I will be replacing all tires. The Falkens wet traction is pretty damn scarry like stated above. Living in Texas where the weather changes on a dime, I need good wet traction, as well as awesome dry traction. I may try out those goodyear's stated above. How are the stock Mazdaspeed tires? Would I like these?

 

[scott42]

Just an update for y'all. I've got the Falken Azenis St115's on, and they are great so far. VERY QUIET! Its great, the ride is smoother, quieter, and as far as I can tell, just as responsive (I'm discounting some handling since when I was putting them on I noticed about 1/4" gap in the bushings with relation to the swaybar (rolleyes)

They also, Look great...due to the tad larger size, it looks as if I've got some lowering springs compared to the old dunlops, lol

If I were to have spool's springs on there as originally planned, the thing would look just plain perfect...but, I'm broke, so don't

 

[cmx1204]

Falken Ziex 512 205/45/17 Just got them on. Hoping the hold up better than dunlops-12000miles, and yokohamas-15000 miles

 

[dmhrace]

its all in how you drive your car i still have the stock tires on my mp3 and ive got 24000 miles on it

 

[Red Storm]

Brand new Dunlop SP9000 to sell

Hi all, I got an almost brand new Dunlop SP9000 to sell (205/45ZR17). It's got about 1000 km on it (621 miles). I bought it in august to replace a flat one on my MP3 but since I have now to replace all tires, I think I'll buy cheaper ones. Anyway, if you guys need only one tire (I know, sounds odd..), let me know. I will sell it for 200$ CAD (147 USD).

 

[ping]

Stock MazdaSpeed tires are really good, IMHO, and I've driven a bunch of the ultra-high-performance (UHP) category tires (RE-71, BFG CompT/A ZR, BFG R1, S-03 Pole Positions, etc.) on various cars I've owned, mostly modfied A2 VW's - GTI's and GLI's. The RE-040's are OK in rain (a wide, low profile tire can hydroplane in the deep water, but wt traction is great, very predictable), fantastic in the dry, fairly quiet for the tire type, and seem to wear well (5600 miles and wearing evenly). They're a good UHP tire for OEM use, as they don't compromise any category very badly except snow. DO NOT use these in snow, they'll be horrible (as will any 3-season tire). I can recommend them, but won't be buying them as replacement tires as there are better tires (for my driving) for the same or lower cost. If you get 'em with MSP wheels though (as part of a package) you won't be disappointed.

Oh - the math is correct, in order of increasing diameter it'd be:
205/40, 215/40, 215/45. Best thing to do is check the tire manufacturers published specs for overall diameter, as there are small variations between (and within) brands.

 

[joshyellomp3]

i just go kumho 712s, not bad at all

 

[krb1482]

I think I am gonna get the paradas, tirerack rates them good on dry, wet, and wear. We'll see :bs: