a.akawi

Hey all ....
i know the topic of rims and tires have been brought up couple of times before but I never got to an answer for my own enquiries...
18" rims, or 19" rims and why?
what size is better for the front wheels (235, or 255) .... im thinking turing angle.

Im doing my research as i want to buy new rims, with wider tires ... for better traction/grip and i want a lighter rims than the stock (stock is 26 lb each almost)
according to the below website:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
(for the front wheels) if i go from the stock 235/50/18 to 255/45/18 and get almost the same performance .. also, i can go from 235/50/18 to 255/40/19 and still get the same performance too!!! .. (well weight might play its role obviously)
(for the rear wheels) If I go from the stock 235/50/18 to 295/40/18 or to 295/35/19 is still the same!
im not an expert here, but according to the visiuals provided by this site, when i go from 235/50/18 to 295/40/18 or to 295/35/19 the OVERALL look of the wheel (sidewall) is always the same! .... is it giving me wrong info here?!

Can you please give me you thoughts about this as in what is the best size for the front (best turing angles) and best rear size (traction) and why 18" not 19"?

Thank you in advance

avengence

Best way to do it is go with the widest tire that still looks good and still clears. I know someone who has 275/40/18 all around on 9.5in wide wheels on his car. No clearance issues and the car handles a LOT better.

zkiller

255 is the largest I would go unless you want that 4 x 4 look.

okbfd

275 19s here and no problems......other than making me slower at the track [&:] They sure handle nicely though.

wadman

Ive got 245 40-18 on the front w/8" rims and 285 35-18 on the back with 10" rims. This looks good to me and you can easily tell they are staggered.

ProCrsh

ive played around alot with my tire sizes i have 19 rims which i orginally had 245/35/19 fronts and 275/30/19 rear. i found this set up to handle much better then stock. i never saw the need for a really large front tire. although after the release of the parnelli saleen, my next set will most likely be 275/40/19 and 285/40/19 but well see. like i said i like the 245 in the front its ive taken soem pretty fast turns and never had and loss of traction. one thing i do recommend is gettin atleast 35 or 40 in the rear.

rshamekh

You can find more variety of wheels in 18's ..

The choices are limited for the 19's ..

IMO, 20's fill the wheel well best on our S197's .. 255/285

Stoenr

F 255/45/18 285/40/18 rear. closest to stock diameter and give a mean staggard look. possibly the most common choice?
This is how the GT500 runs em.