My mechanic has 2 sets of tires that came off of a couple 300z's. 1 set are 225/50/16's all around but they are a little hardened and have maybe 50% tread left. He said I could take them for $75. The other set are 225/50's for the front and 245/50's for the rear. They are almost full tread and still in great shape. He said I can take them for $100.

I'd like the 2nd set, as they will last longer, and are wider in the rear, but I'm concerned of the effects of going to 245/50's in the rear. How much will this throw off my speedo, will the rear look jacked up, any other ill effects?

What do you guys think?

 

Anybody?

 

245/50/16 = approx 3 mph difference at 60 mph.

What I think depends heavily on what kind of tires they are... what kind of tires are they?

 

The cheaper set are SP sports IIRC. The ones in better shape are General. Not the greatest tire, but I just need something to get me buy. I gotta break the motor in for a while so traction is not an issue for now. My extrememly bald tires are however ;-)

 

245/50/16 = 3.2% slower speedo reading. When you are doing 60 you are really doing 61.9. Not much of diff but alot of people go with the 245/45/16 combo. 245/50 might have a tall sidewall. Was that a $100 for all 4?

here is a good tire calc http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

You wouldn't think it, but the 5% percent difference in profile is a lot. My TA runs 245/50 16's, but I did put some 245/45's on when the AVSi's were super cheap. They looked ridiculously small. Flipped over for the RX-7, I would definitely check the tire in the wheel well before I had them mounted.

 

Well, I went with the 245/50/16's in the rear....... and I feel I made the right choice. One thing I didn't consider earlier was that with the 4:30 final drive my speedo is already off, so that aspect doesnt matter.

In my opinion the little bit of extra profile fills in the wheel well much better, and the extra width gives the car a much more aggressive appearence. Overall I think it looks much better. I can't give any opinions on the increased traction as I'm still breaking in the new motor and have yet to even spin the tires. But I will post some pics if anyone wants to see them. Thanks for the advice guys.