Tyre Size Help!!

[Jonah666]

I've just picked up a lovely set of Oz five spoke split rim 8J alloys that I want to fit to my 350i. Can anyone tell me the correct size of tyres to put on them? They are fitted with 225/50/15's, can I go narrower if necessary to 205/50's or maybe 215/60's ? Cheers Guys

[DEKE]

Hi
Standard tyre for 350i is 205x55x15 pretty sure that is on 7j wheels though so not really sure what you could put on your wheels , but there is a tyre calculator out there somewhere.
Cheers
Deke

[TA14]

DEKE said:

Standard tyre for 350i is 205x55x15

No, it's a 205/60/15

[TA14]

Jonah666 said:

I've just picked up a lovely set of Oz five spoke split rim 8J alloys that I want to fit to my 350i. Can anyone tell me the correct size of tyres to put on them? They are fitted with 225/50/15's, can I go narrower if necessary to 205/50's or maybe 215/60's ? Cheers Guys

I think that you're stuck with the 225/50/15s really: http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-cf1
go narrower and they won't be approved for the rim. You'll just have to try fitting them and hope that they don't rub. If they do rub it's just a boring process of checking all bushes, springs and dampers for condition and type as well as seeing if the body is symmetrical and whether it sits symmetrically on the chassis. Then you have to consider the ride height and stiffness that you want and compare these with the settings that mean that the wheels won't rub. Good luck.

[V8 Fettler]

Several calculators and comparators on that internet

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[Jonah666]

Thanks for your assistance fellow wedgers, I'm assuming that they were originally fitted to a 400 /420 and its the original tyre size that I'm after. Thanks, Tim

[DEKE]

205x55x15 fitted to mine when I got it last year and they have been on it some years before and I have just fitted two new on back, seems they may have been 205x60x15 possibly fitted from new.
Deke

[TA14]

Jonah666 said:

Thanks for your assistance fellow wedgers, I'm assuming that they were originally fitted to a 400 /420 and its the original tyre size that I'm after. Thanks, Tim

The original size on a 400 series car was 225/50/15, ignoring oddball exceptions.

You do seem to be stuck with that size in this case and it may rub. If you fit a smaller sidewall you'll upset the geo, transmit more force into the rim and other bad things. If you fit a taller sidewall it may rub or rub more. If you fit a wider tyre it will rub or rub more.

Unless you're prepared to alter the fibreglass.