mx5cartalk.com

Hi,

Would someone be able to tell me how 205/50/15 tyres would cope with 6" wide rims?

Tyres I am looking at are:
RS-RR
RS3
R1R

For track use.

The reason I ask is that I am having a hard time finding 15X7 wheels that look decent and aren't too expensive.

Just run a 185 or 195.

I'd consider running 195/50/15 but the load rating on most of those tyres is quite low (around 80-82).

Sirois wrote:I'd consider running 195/50/15 but the load rating on most of those tyres is quite low (around 80-82).

82 load rating is 475kg per tyre, & there would be a good factor of safety built into that.

project.r.racing wrote:NO!

^
THIS!

Hi Sirois,
Welcome to the forum!! . It's very friendly and full of useful information.(dont ask a question like that on some other forums mostly to do with turbo mx5's, trust me) and full of useful information.
You just had some of the most knowledgeable people on here answer your question, far more knowledgeable than me.
but my advice for what its worth as i have been researching this a fair bit recently is just do as others have said and go the 195 on a 6 inch wheel for a few reasons.

1, less weight than a 205. if you are tracking on a tight budget i would nearly say that less sprung weight is always going to be better than the tiny amount of grip gained.
2, some very fast cars on here run 195 on the track with no problem, especially with the compounds you listed.
3, 6 inch wheel is generally if not always lighter than the same wheel in 7 inch.
4, get the right offset and the wheels will fill the guards more if its a look thing that your after.
5, grip wise i doubt you will feel the difference of the extra width unless you have enough power now to find that 195s wont hook up and again i doubt you will feel the difference.
6, better fit on a 6 inch wheel than 205.........actually just don't full stop.

check this out to help you as it shows how little the difference is https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?ti ... -195-50r15
when the time comes i will be going Enkei RPF1 15x7 so i have room to move later if needed with 195s (i plan to stay N/A) and they can be had for around $1200-$1300 plus freight and tyres. 6ULs are cheaper and buddy clubs are also good value and easy to find second hand at good prices but not as light and i love RPF's.
this is also a good read if new to this http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... Tires.html .
Also im not here to smash cheaper brand wheels as they have there place but if you do find one you like google it and see how others have gone on the track with them as there is plenty of horror stories of people busting certain brands and you may find a set of NB 15's will be lighter than what your chasing and cheaper (but IMO ugly and yes i have them on my NA8 currently).
either way let us know how you go and good luck.
Alex

Alex 2550 wrote:dont ask a question like that on some other forums mostly to do with turbo mx5's, trust me

Sirois wrote:Hi,

Would someone be able to tell me how 205/50/15 tyres would cope with 6" wide rims?

Tyres I am looking at are:
RS-RR
RS3
R1R

For track use.

The reason I ask is that I am having a hard time finding 15X7 wheels that look decent and aren't too expensive.

I'm assuming you've not much driving on the track before? If so I would suggest some second-hand wheels and tyres from another forum member or local MX5 club member who tracks their car. Especially if they are at the quicker end of the field, as they are more likely to replace their tyres when they've still got some life in them but after they're at their peak.

You'll get something cheap and relatively fast to learn on, in the right size, and as an added bonus, you might also get someone experienced to take you under their wing and help you out with your driving and car set up etc.

Sirois wrote:For track use.The reason I ask is that I am having a hard time finding 15X7 wheels that look decent and aren't too expensive.

ps they're track rims - forget the looks, it doesn't help your times, just get something fit for purpose.

Thanks guys,
How would those tyres go with an 8" wheel?
I really dislike that stretched look

205/50/15 on an 8inch wheel is fine.

I had that on my old wheels, and the tyre wasn't stretched, sidewalls were about level.

In saying that, I wouldn't go narrower than a 205 on an 8, my wheels came with a 195/50/15 on them and they were stretched and generally looked crap.



(worth noting my 205s were Toyos which I recall tend to run a little wider than advertised, where the 195s that came with the wheels were some chinese stuff like triangle)

I don't understand all the hate and I shall go against the grain:

Watanabe RS-8 15x6, +14 offset with Kumho KU36 205/50:





I've used them on three track days and two skidpans. No issues.