djct_watt

Hey. . . any recommendations on replacing the OEM tire on the xA/xB standard wheel? I would have posted this in the Tread forum, but I want specific answers for our specific wheel. I would like to stick with the original size, 185/60/15, but am open to other sizes.

Right now, I think I'm going for Nitto 195/60/15. . . $43 a pop, which beats the overpriced OEM size.

DJ_X_Trodinaire

Doh!
but this does belong to tread and butter = tires & wheels section
sorry moved

Lonely_Raven

Why replace the OEM tire? Are yours shot? Are you looking
for better road performance? Quieter Ride? Longer Lasting?
Better Snow Performance? Softer Ride?

More info as to WHY would help us guide.

crayonBOX

ditto:

are you planning to run a set of rims? im in sac too, and i know its nice to have some sticky rubber in the summer, but stock's not terrible either

~hitesh

lonewolfxb

The 195-60 will work nice and will be 3/4" or 1" wider. Yor rim is 6" wide, so it will work.

djct_watt

The issue is that 185/60/15 (OEM size) is a rare size, and quite pricey. . . I can get 195's (which are only slightly taller, and significantly wider) for a MUCH better price. I would like rims, but I can't afford it right now. . . I just need tires that will hold me over for now, but will keep me from flying off the road, the way I drive. I know I can probably get a set from someone who bought rims for cheap (like $100 for two), but I can get a pair of BRAND NEW Nitto's in 195 for the same price, and the Nitto's would be superior in performance.

What do you guys think?

RogerTTR

You could consider making a selection from one of the following:

P185/60R15 BF Goodrich Traction T/A @ $55.00 *
P185/60R15 Yokohama AVID TRZ @ $57.00 *

Or

195/55R15 Sumitomo HTR+ @ $62.00 *
P195/55TR15 Yokohama AVID T4 @ $68.00 *

* = Per tire, plus shipping.

For more information on the tires we offer for your xA, please visit our web site at:
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=DJ1&...ires/index.jsp

djct_watt

would you really recommend 195/55/15 over 195/60/15?

IBJanky

Let's get the basics down:

COST (prices are from tirerack.com):

Stock xA/xB tire size is 185/60/15
185/60R15 Yokohama AVID TRZ @ $57.00 ($228 for a set of 4 tires + s/h)

Suggested (cheaper) replacement is 195/60/15
195/60TR15 Kumho Touring Plus 732 @ $37.00 ($148 for a set of 4 tires + s/h)

That's an $80 savings

SPEEDOMETER:

Speedometer reading for the 195/60/15 tire will be 2% too slow. Meaning, when your speedo reads 60mph, you are really travelling at 61.2mph, which is NOT a significant difference

More info on tire size/speedo relationship here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the 195/60/15 tires a better value? They are wider and considerably cheaper than the harder to find 185/60/15 tire.

djct_watt

I'm running 195's on my rear. . . they look so much more at home than 185's. . . but I only swapped out my bald fronts and rotated the stockies to the front and the 195's to the rear. Can't wait till the stockies are roasted.

IBJanky

So you have no issues with the 195's? No rubbing, or anything like that, right?

Can you take pics of the 185s and the 195s?

djct_watt

I'm lowered (only on TRD's) and can tell you there is plenty of clearance. No rubbing issues whatsoever.

I'm a bit lazy to take a pic, I'll see if I get around to it. The only thing you can notice (if you look REALLY hard), is that the rear is SLIGHTLY higher than the front, and the nasty gap is reduced in the rear a little. The tires are noticeably wider from the rear as well. A couple hub spacers, and for OEM wheels, the car looks great. I havn't taken pics of my ride in a LONG time, but I've been meaning to do it.

djct_watt

dang, I completely forgot I started this thread. . . yeah, I thought I was replying to someone else's thread. I got the 195/60/R15, I love em.

koalaty2

I am also waiting for the stockies to wear out. Only have 12,000 on them, so it may be a little while, and by then, will have the money saved up for wheels and tires. The 195/55 would keep you closer to stock diameter than the 195/60's I believe. Also, I believe you would only gain 10 mm (1 cm) in width, which is a little more than 3/8". I was going to go to 205/55, and the diameter stays about the same, but gain almost an inch (approx 3/4").

djct_watt

Yeah. . . it's not a huge difference, but fairly noticeable, although I was wondering if the stock wheel can accomadate 205's

IBJanky

205/55/15 Kumho ECSTA 711 @ $53.00 ($212 for a set of 4 tires + s/h)

Speedometer reading for the 205/55/15 tire will be 0.6% too slow. Meaning, when your speedo reads 60mph, you are really travelling at 60.3mph

djct_watt

but will it fit?

koalaty2

Yes, the 205/55 will fit the stock rim, according to bfgoodrich.com. Stock rim width is 5.5", and the 205/55's is the top end of the 5.5 rim width. The only larger one I saw that would fit the 5.5" rim was a 215/70-15. They will fit the rim fine, but I don't know about turning/rubbing. Height they are fine, unless you have already dropped the car a couple inches. When my tires wear out, I will be trying some out and see what one fits better. I would be happy with the 215, so the RPM isn't so high when on highway, but it just may be too tall.