I want to get 205/50/16, from what I have read they will fit on my stock 16" rims.
One thing, due to the sidewall being smaller now, will there be a bigger gap now in the wheel well?
Or do I have things completly backwards here?

 

go to:
Miata Club Tire Size Calculator
and you can figure out that 205/50-16 will have a sidewall of 4.0" instead of 4.2", and overall diameter will shrink from 24.4 to 24.1"
my guess is that it will be hardly noticeable.

I replaced the 195/55-16 runflats with Goodyear F1s in size 205/55-16, which are slightly larger dia than stock. Love them!

M.

 

Go here. someone on NAM posted this, and it's great in understanding tire size and even speedometer accuracy changes. I'm looking at doing my 16s as well. Most accurate match looks like 215/50/16, but I don't know that they exist. So 205/50/16 will work. Your speedo will read approx .9 mph fast. Check it out!

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

>>Go here. someone on NAM posted this, and it's great in understanding tire size and even speedometer accuracy changes. I'm looking at doing my 16s as well. Most accurate match looks like 215/50/16, but I don't know that they exist. So 205/50/16 will work. Your speedo will read approx .9 mph fast. Check it out!
>>
>>http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

...and 215/50's may rub, at least I'd look into that before getting them in that size.

 

Here is another site that is enlightening on such questions -- Courtesy of Chris Longhurst at http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/.

Tom

_________________

Tom Clark, Clarksville MD: CR '02 MCS

 

215/45-16 Falken Azenis. Only way to fly... great in the rain, stick like glue in the corners. Slightly undersized = improved torque application through apparent gear ratio increase... nothing but a good thing.

 

>>go to:
>>Miata Club Tire Size Calculator
>>and you can figure out that 205/50-16 will have a sidewall of 4.0" instead of 4.2", and overall diameter will shrink from 24.4 to 24.1"
>>my guess is that it will be hardly noticeable.
>>
>>I replaced the 195/55-16 runflats with Goodyear F1s in size 205/55-16, which are slightly larger dia than stock. Love them!
>>
>>M.

Mmhh....205/55/16, that's a possibility aswell. You say you have no trouble with that profile?

 

Found this on MINI2, seems 205/50/16 are the most popular.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51591

Wonder if you can notice the diameter being smaller, and thus a larger wheel well gap.

 

I intend to make the same kind of change since it cost me $262 to have a new
run-flat put on. If I get a flat tire I'll just have to be towed. Only one so far after 16,000 miles.

I want an all-season tire that will grip nicely on both dry and wet roads and be able
to make me feel secure in snow. My research has led me to the Yokohama V4S (205/55/16)......final choice......but I'll wait until winter comes again.

 

After nearly 30,000 miles on my original run-flats, I decided to replace them. Then the question became, run-flats or non-runflats? Pros for run-flats: peace of mind, no need to carry weight adding spare tire, no need to carry time consuming repair kit, come in the original size so no change in speedometer/trip readings, and original equipment. The pros for non-runflats: greater selection/choice of tires, potentially cheaper, potentially better handling, potentially longer lasting, smoother ride (less sidewall stiffness with bumps being transferred to my spine), less expensive to install, easier to repair (rather than replace if damaged), lighter weight, and not original equipment.

So, I decided to go non-runflats. Then the question became which tire? Well, to make a long story short I decided on the Pirelli PZero Nero M+S 205/50ZR-16. They seem to be a good balance between performance and durability. Additionally, they are available at TireRack and my local Discount Tire.

Driving impressions after 1000 miles: very happy. The ride is smoother, not noticable at first until you drive over a bump or pot-hole and it doesn't jar you to the bone. The handling is much better, of course my old tires were at 30k miles and these are brand new, but the handling is very nice especially in the turns. Noise is not any different or less so than the originals. The tread is not the most aggressive looking, but it is thick and hopefully will last >50k.

Hope this helps with those looking for a tire which will last a while, not too expensive, and has pretty good performance (I'm no track driver, but enjoy the occasional spirited driving). Definitely a step up from the run-flats.