Running a 205 tire instead of 215. Good or bad idea? - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 Forum / Mazda Atenza Forum

Venom6th · 03-26-2011, 05:01 PM

Hey I ordered a set of speedy lite 5 wheels 17x7 with 45 offset. My question is I am going to put some summer tires, havent chose which yet, and I would like some help on selecting a size.

I had 17x7 42 offset wheel, and it rubs when I have a full load in the back and hit a bump. It didnt rub really when I first got them, but I'm thinking the shocks maybe bend a bit more than before so I get more rubbing these days. I'm hoping the 45 offset wheel do not rub but I thought If I put a 205/50 17 tire on instead it wouldn't rub for sure.

Are there disadvantages to 205 tire, or the difference minuscule? I've heard running slightly more narrow tire could make cornering better because sidewall would be more stiff and trade off a little of comfort.

Thanks for your input

joebrez · 03-26-2011, 06:24 PM

Without knowing what tire you want to run, the thinner tire will have less contract area, so you will lose handling. Better snow performance though ;-)

Egierda · 03-26-2011, 06:51 PM

Check to see if it even has the same load rating. Going to a larger tire rarely has any negative side effects but undersizing tires can be bloody dangerous in many cases.

I would stick with the 215/50.

daddyd302 · 03-28-2011, 02:22 AM

I'm running 225/45/17 on my rims. I'm also at 17x7 but my offset is 50. No rubbing so far. I would go at least 215 and you can always do a fender roll, but I'm almost sure you won't need a fender roll unless you're lowering your car. By the way 215/50/17 are stock on the 6 with 17" rims.

zoomzoom wagon · 04-28-2011, 08:32 PM

thinner tire means more curb rash

03-26-2011, 05:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Venom6th Learners License Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Running a 205 tire instead of 215. Good or bad idea? Hey I ordered a set of speedy lite 5 wheels 17x7 with 45 offset. My question is I am going to put some summer tires, havent chose which yet, and I would like some help on selecting a size. I had 17x7 42 offset wheel, and it rubs when I have a full load in the back and hit a bump. It didnt rub really when I first got them, but I'm thinking the shocks maybe bend a bit more than before so I get more rubbing these days. I'm hoping the 45 offset wheel do not rub but I thought If I put a 205/50 17 tire on instead it wouldn't rub for sure. Are there disadvantages to 205 tire, or the difference minuscule? I've heard running slightly more narrow tire could make cornering better because sidewall would be more stiff and trade off a little of comfort. Thanks for your input

03-26-2011, 06:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
joebrez Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 671 Thanks: 4 Thanked 30 Times in 25 Posts Groans: 3 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 22 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Without knowing what tire you want to run, the thinner tire will have less contract area, so you will lose handling. Better snow performance though ;-) __________________ 2005 6 GS Mtx. Black/Black, Stock exhaust with Magnaflow tips, AWR Dog-Bone Mount, Injen SP-6071 w\ Injen Cover, MS-Short Throw, HKS 5-Point Grounding Kit, PowerStop Rotors and Pads, MS-Sedan Springs w\ GR-2's & Cordova Optimized Throttle Body. Morimoto Retro Kit and Powdercoated RX-8's. http://forum.mazda6club.com/members/...s-2005-6s.html

03-26-2011, 06:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Egierda Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 2,724 Thanks: 54 Thanked 113 Times in 85 Posts Groans: 3 Groaned at 27 Times in 21 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 8 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	Check to see if it even has the same load rating. Going to a larger tire rarely has any negative side effects but undersizing tires can be bloody dangerous in many cases. I would stick with the 215/50. __________________ 08 Toyota FJ Cruiser - CURRENT 04' 6s MTX sedan - SOLD

03-28-2011, 02:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
daddyd302 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: West Allis, Wisconsin Posts: 58 Thanks: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	I'm running 225/45/17 on my rims. I'm also at 17x7 but my offset is 50. No rubbing so far. I would go at least 215 and you can always do a fender roll, but I'm almost sure you won't need a fender roll unless you're lowering your car. By the way 215/50/17 are stock on the 6 with 17" rims.

04-28-2011, 08:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
zoomzoom wagon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 66 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s) iTrader: 0 reviews	thinner tire means more curb rash

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