Why donīt you try 205/40/17?

 

205 not wide enough, 40 is to thin a wall for the 3rd worst roads in the US, I am in PA.

 

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

Tire Size Comparison

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
195/55-15 4.2in 11.7in 23.4in 73.7in 860 0.0%
205/45-17 3.6in 12.1in 24.3in 76.2in 831 3.5%
205/40-17 3.2in 11.7in 23.5in 73.7in 860 0.1%
215/45-17 3.8in 12.3in 24.6in 77.3in 819 5.0%

205/40-17's are almost bang on
One of the local guys here (PooTang) has that size and he has had no problems.

 

Iīm running 205/40/17 with H&R springs and I never had problems, no rubbing, and they look great, very small wheel gap.
But if your roads are not that good and you need wider tires then you should go with 215/45/17 but your going to have a little difference between your shown speed and the true speed, because the 215/45/17 have a larger rolling diameter!

 

OK The bottom line is not the wheel gap or the road conditions ... it's the fact that a 215/45/17 increases the rolling diameter by more than an inch ... which means that as soon as you lower it ... IT WILL RUB the inside of the fender ... so you either go with a lower profile tire and take the chance on the rim/rubber being damaged... OR get the 215/45/17 and damage your car whenever you turn with any momentum to make it lean.

I'm not being critical here just trying to help you out, and stop you from going through the frustration I went through. (I have 205/45/17 rubber and it's .3 inches SMALLER) and I rubbed badly .... folded out my fender NUMEROUS times before removing the springs.

 

Don't know about Tiburons, but on my Elantra GLS I have 215/45/17 Pirellis on 17x7 (+40mm offset), with Eibachs. No rubbing on my Elantra.

No, I don't do autocross . . . or take corners at twice the posted speed. No rolled fender lip, no rubbing on inner fenders or strut housing . . . but I rarely (never yet) carry three passengers, while taking HARD corners, too. I simply like the look of wheel wells full of wheel/tire, and no big gaps.

My combo undoubtedly wouldn't work for autocrossers, or with springs OTHER than Eibach or stock. Just my 2 cents worth . . .

[ November 05, 2002, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: GLS2NV ]

 

GLNs, Fender tucked? Have you turned the wheel lock to lock?

how about ona nice power turn, any rubbing?

Grrr, so many different opinions. Can I get some people with real answers.

No offense guys. but everything everyone has said, someone has contradicted him. I want some real answers.

 

I had 15/60/195 on at one point. and they only rubbed slightly on locked turn.

17/45/215 is smaller.

 

Hey everyone!! I'm new here and thought I'd start with this topic.

I have 17" rims with 205/40/17 Yokohoma Parada spec 2's.I haven't lowered it yet,but the ride quality I have now is very good.Here's a pic:


[ November 05, 2002, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Random ]

 

Okay,well that obviously didn't work!!Just take my word that they look great.