Tire sizes for 16" rims

[joe_bfstplk]

Sorry for the n00b question....

I searched and didn't find anything on what tire sizes will fit on the stock 16" '03 Cooper S rims. The stock size is 195/55R16, but there's enough clearance between the tire and strut to make me think I could maybe go out to 205/55s or possibly even 215/50s for a little more cornering grip.

Anyone got the skinny on this? I will likely be replacing tires in the spring, or the summer at the latest.

Thanks!

C ya,
Dutch

[bad venge]

punch it into many of the tire calculator ...

[joe_bfstplk]

Before I asked, I checked the 205/55R16 and 215/50R16 on the Mazda Miata site's tire calc, and the 215 works out exactly the same diameter, while the 205 will be off by about 1mph at 60 (certainly close enough). That said, diameter isn't the question as much as clearance between strut and sidewall.

I can get my middle-finger between the sidewall and strut as it is now with the Michelin 195/55R16s that are on there, which suggests I may be able to go a little wider and not rub.

Any anecdotal info out there on this?

Thanks!

C ya,
Dutch

[KitGerhart]

Originally Posted by joe_bfstplk

Sorry for the n00b question....

I searched and didn't find anything on what tire sizes will fit on the stock 16" '03 Cooper S rims. The stock size is 195/55R16, but there's enough clearance between the tire and strut to make me think I could maybe go out to 205/55s or possibly even 215/50s for a little more cornering grip.

Anyone got the skinny on this? I will likely be replacing tires in the spring, or the summer at the latest.

Thanks!

C ya,
Dutch

Even if wider tires would clear the struts and wheel wells, they wouldn't necessarily provide more grip because they wouldn't fit the wheels properly. The tires that came on the car are the right size for the width of your wheels. For 215/50's to work at their full potential, they need to be on slightly wider wheels.