i really want to avoid getting a new suspension due to the fact that i dont have enough for both rims and suspension...so i was wondering about how much bigger will the wheel gap be if i got 18's with 235/40/18 ....compared to my stock 16's (215/55/16)

since im gettin a thinner tire and bigger rim wouldnt the 2 cancel out and so the gap will be the same?

 

the wheel gap will still be the same due to the fact that your overall diameter of the tire and wheel will still be 25.4" with the 18s. (stock steelies are 25.31" overall diameter)

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit

tire calculator it will be helpful in helping you choose a tire that will make you wheel gap smaller but keep in mind that by getting bigger tires and increasing your overall diameter, you will also need to get better braking system and it will affect your odometer and speedometer.

 

hmmm..im confused....why is everyone tellnig me that my car will look like a 4x4 if i dont lower it?

if the wheel gap is the same wouldnt u think it would look the same (spaeking of WHEEL GAP)

 

your car will look like a 4x4 jeep because you are going to sit HIGHER from the ground.

the total radius (rim +tire) on 18" is gonna be larger than 16"

 

Its up to you. IMO, its best to go with the 19's and call it a day. Sure it will not do anything for the gap but the wheels will look fuller with the car. (And you can still drop it and have a kick A$$ look).
But with the 18's and a drop you will still have a very firm ride (theres not much difference between a 235/40/18 to a 245/35/19.) And if your concerned with "bubbles" on the tire, you can just opt for a tire size 235/40/19 and keep the speedometer clock really close to stock rather than with the recommended popular sizes that don't.

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

 

that is so wrong. no offense but i dont think you read wat i said. with the size of tire going up, the size of sidewall will be less. therefore, you will be getting the same overall diameter. hence the fact that his car will not be sittign higher off the ground because he will still have the same overall radius [diameter=1/2 radius]. it will be a illusion that it is higher off ground if anything,.

 

dont you mean radius = 1/2 diameter?

and its not so wrong. in MANY cases the overall diameter will not be EXACTLY the same. but it will be greater ( 0.1-0.5 inches depending on tires). the rest is an illusion

 

oops yea. good looks. the diameter will be .09" larger with the tire that he plans on using.