I have 16" rims and i currently have 205/55/16 tires on it and i want a smaller profile. Wonderin if i should go with a 50 or 45 profile (which would look better. Also would 215 or 225 width fit on there too?

 

I have 225/50/ZR17...

 

To tell you the truth, 205/60r16 should be closer in size, but you could probably fit 215 width okay depending on how different the offset is on your 16" rims.

Lower profile tires will fit, but your speedo and gearing will be off. How much depends on how low profile you go. Also, the car will ride a bit firmer and handling may improve slightly.

Use this page: www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to figure out how much faster your speedo will read, and also how much higher your RPM will be at any given speed.

 

Hey if you want a good site for wheels go to Whalen Tire plus when you pick out a wheel and tire combo it gives you how much you speedo would be off. plus they hav great deals on rims too! hope that helps

 

How wide is the rim? If it's 7" then a 225 will fit fine.

 

For some reason mine has never been off even the slightest bit. I have 17" rims with 225/50/17 and 18" rims with 225/40/18 and neither one make any difference from the stock rims/tires I used to have, or if they do it is so incredibly slight that I can't even notice. I can say that my handling AND .25mi. time have both changed for the better with the 17's...

 

True, the diameters you're running are just about right, so you wouldn't notice any practical difference. A couple percent here and there are nothing. I just mentioned it because I don't know how radically lower he wanted to go. That's where the tire calculator comes handy. (Like if he went to 205/45r16 he'd be 5mph off at highway speed - starting to get significant)

 

235/45/17's. . . oh wait, that's just me

 

you can calculate how much your speedometer will be off with aftermarket tire sizes here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

BTW, 205/55/16 sounds kind of skinny, it is a good tire size for a rim 6" wide.. for a 6.5" a 215 is the more suitable size.
If your rim is anywhere from 6.5-7.5" wide, 225 can be mounted on and look pretty good. I bet it can fit on a 6" wide rim as well, but it will probably look really bubbly.

If you go with a lower profile (50 or 45) the ride will be harsher accordingly. handling will improve because of a stiffer sidewall. But your speedometer will also be thrown off a little.
Going with a wider tire (215 or 225) will give you more stability in cornering, since the tire is a little bit wider... probably will reduce sidewall flex....

I had 225/50/16 on my 3rd gen, ride was kind of harsh, but it handled amazing. Also depends on how good the tires are ofcourse..

 

I think im going to go with 225/45/16 with either kumho or dunlop tires...not sure yet!