New tires

[mattswabb]

As I posted a few weeks ago I got a set of miata wheels with 185/60/14. I've driven the car a few times around the block (still waiting for a windshield) and on both trips the tires rubbed. They rubbed on the front fender when I took a fast corner and also when I hit a pothole. So since I plan to drive this car all the time and I still wanted to keep the wheels I got some smaller tires. I got Bridgestone Potenza RE92 size 165/65/14. They were a little shorter and .75" narrower. The 185's were so close to the rear spring perch and now I can fit my fingers with no problem.

Gave up some traction for drivability.

Here's some pics:

Comparison between the 185's and the 165's.






matt

[Silv3rBull3t]

Wow I can't believe those 185's rubbed that bad... I have 195/55/14's on some old MR2 wheels that don't rub bad enough to negate me using them. When I get back and its warmer outside I'm going to roll the fenders and I'm sure I can get all the clearancing I need that way... Maybe mine's a fluke I dunno... -Kyle

[EricCartman]

Matt ... you have your car lowered, right?? I was JUST going to order my set of 185/60 14's or even thinking about the 195/60 14's ... I don't have my '91 lowered - I just need it to handle better, but wont be able to deal with a rub! Thanks!!

[mattswabb]

Yes, I did lower my car. They also were so close to the rear strut spring perches. I was going to install a 1/8" spacer. That all depends on your wheels. There are quite a few that use the 185/60/14 but mine rubbed. Maybe their cars aren't lowered?

I have rubbed the rear a few times even with the smaller tires. There is one spot in town, the speed limit is 50 and there is a nice dip in the road and I hit it hard a few times.

matt

[Gro Harlem]

what suspension do you have in stalled?

Fred has the same tire size and his didn't rub & i'm trying to convince darpien to get some 14" alloys instead of 13s

[mattswabb]

FMS festiva springs and KYB GR2 struts. If I drove the car easy and didn't live in a pothole infested area I think they would have worked. My 68 mustang is lowered and I scrape the headers sometimes so I didn't want another car that I had to watch the bumps.

[nightdweller]

I'm running on 195/50/15's with problems only on full lock turns to the left. I'm almost convinced that that is rubbing the brake cooling lines though. I doubt you should have had the trouble with the 185's Are the miata wheels a 40 offset or something?

[mattswabb]

I think the offset is 45mm

[Silv3rBull3t]

On my Supers and my car being lowered, I just rolled the fenders, and it does NOT rub anywhere with the previous tire/rim setup except on the spring perch in the rear on very hard cornering (AutoX)... I really can't understand why 185's rubbed at all but either way I can completely understand, driveability for you is an issue. Have fun with it, the car looks great!! Let us know how those 165's handle in dry/wet conditions with all that power. -Kyle

[mattswabb]

Let us know how those 165's handle in dry/wet conditions with all that power. -Kyle

They handle and grip very nice in the dry. Sorry I hope to never be able to give a wet condition report on them.