Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, -alex, miata, zombie, Andrew

User avatar
The Green Goblin
Fast Driver
Posts: 319
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:32 pm
Vehicle: NB8B
Location: Syd

Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby The Green Goblin » Tue Mar 15, 2016 5:22 pm

Gents,

i have done some brief searching online..basically, wanting to obtain a set of street rims that measure 15x8+28, as we know there aren't alot of street tyre options out there that offer a 225/45 or 40/15 sizing. alternate options are either 215/50/15 or 205/50/15. i am after a high performance street tyre rather than semi slick.

am i safe to run a 215 or 205 width on an 8 inch rim? would the 50 profile be a little too tall? i drive aggressively via mountain runs & dont want too much stretch. anyone suggest a good street tyre & size relevant to the rim size noted? wouldnt mind seeing some pics also.

cheers,
Jas.

User avatar
hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby hks_kansei » Tue Mar 15, 2016 5:29 pm

205/50 is only marginally taller than the standard 195/50, from memory less than 5% difference (cbf doing the maths at the moment)


as far as fitting it onto an 8inch wheel, I've done so and had no issues, visually it looked normal with no stretching or anything.
215 would be the better option though.

If you can find a 215/45 then the rolling diameter is almost exactly the same as a 195/50
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)

User avatar
Lokiel
Forum legend
Posts: 4126
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 2:39 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Brisbania

Re: Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby Lokiel » Tue Mar 15, 2016 6:05 pm

There shouldn't be any problems running 205/50/15s on a 15x8 rim, they're probably the most common size used in Australia.

Keep in mind that not all tyres in the same AAA/BB/CC category are the same, some are actually wider than others (almost makes a mockery of even having a standard).

I've got Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Specs on 15x8 6ULs - there's no stretch at all, they suit the 15x8 rim perfectly (no stretch or "flab") and they're a great tyre (in the wet they're far better than my Toyo R1R 225/45/15s).

Bought them from http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+ZII+Star+Spec when the Aussie$ was worth a lot more than it is now :(
Don't worry about dying, worry about not living!
Garage Thread: http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=76716

forcedfive
Fast Driver
Posts: 429
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:55 am
Vehicle: 10AE - Turbo
Location: Sydney

Re: Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby forcedfive » Tue Mar 15, 2016 9:26 pm

You may be able to run 225 45 15 Hancook RS3 without a guard roll and they are pretty good value for money. The should fit fine with a bit of a roll.
10AE
WP 1:04.7 SMSP GP 1:43.0 South 1:00.8 North 1:09.8

User avatar
The Green Goblin
Fast Driver
Posts: 319
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:32 pm
Vehicle: NB8B
Location: Syd

Re: Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby The Green Goblin » Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:12 am

Thanks gents, makes a bit hard if the sizes vary from manufacturers! I'm going to have to look more deeply into what is actually available, my preference is 215, but i may have to run with the 205 depending on what's out there..

Lokiel, are your dunlops street tyres or semis? Forcedfive, I already have a set of rs3's I use for the track, although good on street too I find they are noisy & pick up stones etc. also want these to last as long as possible, hence opting to go street set up I.e keeping them seperate.

Ta.

User avatar
Lokiel
Forum legend
Posts: 4126
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 2:39 pm
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Brisbania

Re: Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby Lokiel » Wed Mar 16, 2016 2:39 pm

The Green Goblin wrote:Thanks gents, makes a bit hard if the sizes vary from manufacturers! I'm going to have to look more deeply into what is actually available, my preference is 215, but i may have to run with the 205 depending on what's out there..

Lokiel, are your dunlops street tyres or semis? Forcedfive, I already have a set of rs3's I use for the track, although good on street too I find they are noisy & pick up stones etc. also want these to last as long as possible, hence opting to go street set up I.e keeping them seperate.

Ta.

Mine are street tyres, here's the sales pitch:

"The Direzza ZII Star Spec is Dunlop's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for race tire-like traction on the street or for use in autocross, drifting and track events."

These are harder-wearing (tread rating 200) than track tyres such as RS3s, Rivals or R1Rs (typically tread-rated at 140) and are one of the more popular choices at TireRack.
Don't worry about dying, worry about not living!
Garage Thread: http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=76716

User avatar
bruce
Speed Racer
Posts: 7788
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NA8 - Turbo
Location: Victoria
Contact:

Re: Street tyre size - 15x8 rim

Postby bruce » Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:26 pm

Lokiel wrote:Keep in mind that not all tyres in the same AAA/BB/CC category are the same, some are actually wider than others (almost makes a mockery of even having a standard).


I didn't know that. Tyres have cup sizes.


Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests