question about tire size?

[whitemazda]

im new to the forum and i apologize in advance for this question if its already been asked. i have a 2002 mazda protege es with a 1 1/2" drop on the front and a 2" drop on the rear. the factory tire size is a 195/50/16 and im wondering what is the tallest and widest tire i can put on this car before it rubs anywhere. the stock 195/50/16 is a very un common size and kind of hard to find in my area. thanks in advance for your replies

 

[ajkulish]

idk why youd want a tall tire but i put a 225 on and its stupid wide. its for track though, looks like s***. just go with a 205 45

 

[whitemazda]

thanks ajkulish. you wouldnt happen to have a pic of a front and rear view of your car so i can get an idea how wide they are? is that your mazda in your reply?

 

[christopher col]

im runnin on 215/35 R18 and there's plenty room to spare looking at it i wish i had bought 19" but i dont have drop springs AS YET springs and suspension are currently stock but if you wanna see how it looks u could check out my page and decide for yourself

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2987362/2003-mazda-protege/page-7

 

[whitemazda]

that is one sweet ride christopher. im currently running stock wheels (kinda like em, odd i know) but the 195/50/16's i think look funny. they are two narrow. the hieght is ok with me with the 1 1/2" drop in front and 2" drop in rear but i want as wide as i can get with the stock wheels. it would have to look better than the stock size.

 

[joka1]

215/35/18's as well..... I would reccomend a bigger tire and smaller rims.... like 17 with a 45 tire for comfort... Also a +42 or higher offset.

I need 18's and a +38 offset to fit my brakes so that is what I am running now.

Rob

 

[whitemazda]

thanks joka, thats a nice ride you have as well.

 

[ajkulish]

ill show some pics of my track set up tomorrow or when i can get to it. but trust me you dont want it

 

[whitemazda]

ok ajkulish, if your pretty sure i dont want it ill take your word for and save ya the trouble of posting pics

 

[ajkulish]

yuck

only my front tires are 225 50 16. rears are 205 55 16

 

[whitemazda]

i think it looks pretty good buddy i really do

 

[ajkulish]

pics dont do it any justice. it looks worse in person. youd be alot better going with a 205 45 16. thatd be nice and square, and still a good amount of rubber on the road. also, 225's rub the inside fender......

 

[whitemazda]

a 205/45/16 is probably what ill go with. which would look better? a 205/45/16 or a 205/50/16? i want the widest tire possible for looks with out rubbing anywhere.

 

[ajkulish]

the 45 will have a slightly shorter sidewall. and the 50 will be slightly taller. it really depends on how tall you want the tire

 

[christopher col]

ill say 205/45 also tht should do u justice

 

[whitemazda]

between ajkulish and christopher col, i think ill go with the 205/45's. ill post a pic when i get it cleaned up and the new tires on it. it my take me a while to do that but i will.. thanks guys for sticking with me and helping me out. is there a section for just photos of everybodies rides thats on here, like a gallery?

 

[whitemazda]

thanks also to joka1 for his input to, it was greatly appreciated

 

[ajkulish]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123781341-Post-your-recent-pictures!
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123628488-Post-your-best-pictures-OF-YOUR-MAZDA!

there you go

 

[lowtege]

it really all depends on the offset of the rim. i have stock rx-7 wheels on my which are 16x8. and my tires are 205/40/16. i had rubbing on both my fronts and rears. depending on your offset. you could always look to spacers too. thats what i did in the rear

 

[ajkulish]

just stock wheels, and issue is solved.