Downsize to 16" wheels (from 17")

[Mermaidman]

Question: What are the disadvantages of going smaller?

Background
My used Miata came with stock 17" wheels that have bad curb rash and no-name tires (Maxxis?? What the heck is Maxxis?). I found someone selling his Miata's stock 16" wheels and tires, and I'm thinking of buying them because:
-His tires are virtually new and name brand (Yokos)
-16" tires are cheaper to replace than 17"
-The 17" wheels are ugly (cartwheels!)
-Smaller wheel = better fuel economy and improved performance (?)

Both cars are current generation Miatas, so I don't think the speedometer will be affected.

Pic of stock 16"

 

[Arkaign]

Should be next to zero disadvantages honestly. The stock tire size probably has slightly more sidewall than the 17", which will result in a little more comfortable ride. Handling wise it's probably a wash, though higher quality tires will make a big difference. There's a big myth about giant wheels = great handling for some damned reason or other. Exactly zero serious racing events in the world employ ultra-low-profile tires, and for good reason. Hell, even the super hardcore race-only variants of vehicles like the C6.R, M3-GTR, etc, all use smaller wheel sizes than their road-going variants do, combined with tires that have a lot more meat on them (and improved suspension obviously.

I vote go for it. OEM Miata wheels are pretty nice, and a perfect match to the vehicle.

 

[Arkaign]

Btw, thank you for not being one of those tards that decides to try to stuff 19s with rubber band tires in there, complete with major camber and rolled fenders, that I have to wait a full 30 seconds for one to bumble and scrape over a railroad stopping.

 

[phucheneh]

17's on a Miata are probably pretty 'rubber-bandy'. Probably 205/40's. I've ridden on that size...it's not pleasant.

I doubt you'll notice a performance difference (much less than what would simply be attributed to a different brand/model of tire) or any difference in economy. But it'll ride smoother.

 

[brainhulk]

Wheel width might be a factor depending on width of tire used. Wider generally = more overall grip

Also less room for bbk.

But smaller wheel = less unsprung weight.

 

[Mermaidman]

LOL! Same here--hate the rubber band look.

The tire size is 205/45/17 (my current one), going to
205/50/16, so the width is unchanged.

The 16" wheel is supposed to weigh ~15 lb. Not bad.

My wife would appreciate the increase in ride comfort!

 

[brainhulk]

LOL! Same here--hate the rubber band look.

The tire size is 205/45/17 (my current one), going to
205/50/16, so the width is unchanged.

The 16" wheel is supposed to weigh ~15 lb. Not bad.

My wife would appreciate the increase in ride comfort!

What are the widths of the wheels. A slight stretch with the wider wheel might provide a stiffer sidewall resulting in improved response feel and less chance of tire rollover on rim in really hard turns when running lower pressures. (Depending on tire compound)

 

[phucheneh]

You'll save some good money on tires, I think. 205/50/16's are cheap. You'll lose like a quarter inch of rolling diameter, though. Fairly neglible, I think. Alternative is to go a little bigger with 225/50, but those might be too beefy for a Miata.

205/50/16 is a stock size?

Also, width can change. 205mm is the section width- widest point in the sidewall to the same point on the other side. Depending on how the specific tire is made (tread width can vary) and the size of the wheel, you can get rubbing when changing up wheels/tires, even if you keep the same tire width and equal/equivalent wheel backspacing.

If we're talking factory wheels and a factory size, though, I'm sure it's a non-issue.

 

[Mermaidman]

What are the widths of the wheels. A slight stretch with the wider wheel might provide a stiffer sidewall resulting in improved response feel and less chance of tire rollover on rim in really hard turns when running lower pressures. (Depending on tire compound)

Hmm . . . 17 x 7 versus 16 x 6.5

It's a daily driver, not a track car.

Yes, all wheels and tires in this discussion are factory issue. Essentially, I'm "downgrading" my Grand Touring to a base trim.

 

[Drako]

It's a daily driver, not a track car.

In that case, put some 175/55/16 low rolling resistance tires on

 

[fstime]

1 inch makes a noticeable difference in ride quality too.

 

[Throckmorton]

Should be next to zero disadvantages honestly. The stock tire size probably has slightly more sidewall than the 17", which will result in a little more comfortable ride. Handling wise it's probably a wash, though higher quality tires will make a big difference. There's a big myth about giant wheels = great handling for some damned reason or other. Exactly zero serious racing events in the world employ ultra-low-profile tires, and for good reason. Hell, even the super hardcore race-only variants of vehicles like the C6.R, M3-GTR, etc, all use smaller wheel sizes than their road-going variants do, combined with tires that have a lot more meat on them (and improved suspension obviously.

I vote go for it. OEM Miata wheels are pretty nice, and a perfect match to the vehicle.

He has OEM 17" wheels not aftermarket.


OP if you want the 16" wheels, get them. Ride will be better and grip might improve. There's nothing wrong with Maxxis tires though, it's a good brand AFAIK. I only know of their offroad tires though. Also I had some on my mountain bike

 

[Howard]

Basically, your maximum brake disc size goes down. If you don't go track racing you should see only benefits.

 

[exar333]

Basically, your maximum brake disc size goes down. If you don't go track racing you should see only benefits.

This. Buy bigger wheels only when you need to fit them around bigger brakes.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

heh, Im doing the same thing, going a rim size smaller with larger sidewall.
Im looking for the same thing you are - ride quality. Should be less harsh.

Your sidewall will increase from 3.632" to 4.035".
You'll be going from 616mm overall wheel diameter to 612mm wheel diameter. THis will make a speed difference of -0.7%. So when your speedometer says you are going 100mph you will actually be going 99.3mph. Nothing to worry about.

Pics of your current 17" rims?

 

[Mermaidman]

heh, Im doing the same thing, going a rim size smaller with larger sidewall.
Im looking for the same thing you are - ride quality. Should be less harsh.

Your sidewall will increase from 3.632" to 4.035".
You'll be going from 616mm overall wheel diameter to 612mm wheel diameter. THis will make a speed difference of -0.7%. So when your speedometer says you are going 100mph you will actually be going 99.3mph. Nothing to worry about.

Pics of your current 17" rims?

Great, so my odometer will turn faster?

Here are my factory 17s. You can clearly see the curb rash on the front. I wonder if they will sell faster with or without the tires on.

 

[Costas Athan]

Install tires on the 16" rims that will keep the diameter of the wheel the same. Use this calculator: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp to find out the right size easily.

If you keep the diameter the same, the speedometer or the odometer won't be affected. And more importantly other car parts like the brakes won't be affected.

 

[Throckmorton]

Great, so my odometer will turn faster?

Here are my factory 17s. You can clearly see the curb rash on the front. I wonder if they will sell faster with or without the tires on.

Leave the tires on

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

(Maxxis?? What the heck is Maxxis?)

http://www.maxxis.com/

They build alot of good tires for Mountain bikes, Motor Cycles, ATV's, and other machines. Looks like they also build race tires, industrial tires, and probably pretty much any other rubber tire.