I am trying to decide between 215/55/15 and 225/55/15. I have checked out many online tire retailers and have found that my options for these tire sizes are very limited. In fact, the only 215/55/15 I have found are the Kuhmo ECSTA 711 for $50 and the only 225/55/15 I have found are the Michelin MXM for $156. Could this be? I am trying for the wide, beefy look on 15" for my ride and have found that my tire options are limited. Am I looking in the wrong places? Any suggestions would be great! Also what tires do you think are being run on the xB below? I love the white writing on the side wall. Anyone know what these are?

http://www.geocities.co.jp/MotorCity...666/img153.jpg

 

man~ I really like that fat tire look with 15" rims!!!

I wonder if it grinds a lot... Also, if you want to drop it that low, you will need stiffer suspension... But, good luck going over speed bumps...

Kumho generally makes decent tires... But you have to have discernment. some of their stuff sucks.

Are you sure there are only 2 sources for the wheels this size?

 

Torokun, I'm NOT sure there are only two tire choices. I was hoping that someone would tell me what I dumbass I am and to lay a bunch more options on me. Those are the only ones I have been able to find. I have even been on the VW and Euro Dub head sites looking for options. There are definitely some beefy tires out there, but so far not lots in these specific sizes. I'm hoping there are more. Although if you say the Kuhmo are not so bad it might not be a problem if I end up going with the 215's.

 

sounds about right, if you step up to 16inch wheels youll get way more options.

As it is, you could get more stick out of some Azenis or Kumho MXs in 205 size than kumho 711s in 215

 

Jackmott, why would a 205 stick out more then a 215? If my rims are going to be 8" would 205 be wide enough? Also, any ideas if the Michelin MXM 225's would be too wide with 8" wide rims and and a 18 offset?

 

205 will work on 8" wides. I have 195/45/15s on my 15x8s and they fit fine, they have a very mild stretch on them, not even close to my 16x9 stretch. I would like to go with a beefier tire, but we'll see.. i dont plan on running my 15s anytime soon since i was unsuccessful at scoring coilovers.

 

Doing a quick Google search...

I found Sumitomo and Yokohama A-008G in the 215's.

Falcon and Perelli in the 225's.

I seems that you might be able to get quite a few different makes if you just request it from a tire shop that can order them without charging you for "special order".

Cameron

 

Thanks.

 

Just a quick link:

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

Great tire-size calculator.

 

One other option I was thinking about was to go with the 205/65/15 Goodyear Eagle 1. This would get the beefy look for sure and has some cool white lettering on it, but I don't know about a 205 on 8" wides (I was thinking wider). Also, the 205/65 has a diameter of 25.49 and I'm thinking this might be way too big even with the 18 offset I'll have on my wheels.

http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyea...l/eag1nasc.jpg

 

Michelin has unparalleled tire compounds, for many purposes. The ones you are looking at may be soft, or hard. I prefer [relatively] quick-wearing softer compounds because they stick better. It is better [for me] to eat tires faster than tow my car home from the apex I dove into too deep...

Kumho and Hankook tires (both from KR) may be a harder compound than the michelin, and may last longer, at the expense of being sticky. They may have softer, performance compounds available now, but I don't think the good ones will be <$60.

Chesk the speed ratings... Cheap[er] tires are S-rated (83MPH and below). While you might not exceed 83MPH ever, better tires offer a better margin of failure.

In my experience: cheap tires are for those on a budget, not someone doing the twisties. With few exceptions, you get what you pay for.