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Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:47 pm

i have searched all of the threads but no final answers... i am lowering my car 3 or 4 notches in the front and 2 in the back.... i wanted a good tire... so the question is what do you think of 175 55 15 in the front and 195 60 15 in the back?... let me know

Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:09 pm

Im 3 in the front and have 135's with NO problems. Here is a site that could help you.

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

Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:34 pm

i have been told that 135 tires were not good to run because they were so small... and not enough stopping power... is the set i said anygood? anyone running those?

Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:49 pm

If you go down 3-4 notches that's ALL that will fit! :roll:

Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:59 pm

ok so probably just 3 to make it clear... not 4.... so 175 55 15 wont fit?

Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:22 pm

Maybe 145's?

Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:25 pm

You could go with 195-50's for the front. They're pretty small in diameter, but still wide for traction. For the rear I'd go bigger (like a 205-65), unless all you do is city driving.

Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:32 pm

Not with 3 clicks down!

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:21 pm

i have 185/55/15s up front at what has been debated whether it's 2 or 3 notches with LOTS of clearance. i will set the lower beam mounts on the ground long before i'll have tire rub problems. i've intended to drop the drop another notch for a while now but have been distracted by my new daily driver 66 type1 and it's issues. the 185/55/15 is SMALLER in overall diameter than 135s. 175/55/15 isn't a bad choice but you don't need to go that small. there was a semi local guy(nc) who was 4 notches down with 185/60/15 and didn't have that much of a rubbing issue. i'm running 195/65/15 out back. i like to put as much meat back there as possible. i'm actually thinking of test fitting a 205/65/15.

135/165 combo was what people ran forever. there are much better choices for the same or less money available today( my 185/55/15s were CHEAPER than 135s). people are starting to take more advantage of it. thres also the 145/65/15, 155/60/15 to think about to...ken....

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:48 pm

Im running 135s up front with it down 3 and I dont really notice much difference in the braking power, city or highway than I did with 165s. If you have to slam on the brakes the pizza cutter up front may skid I suppose but under normal driving conditions I think they work great with excellent turning range. :? DAMMIT.... I need to go down one more spline in the rear!!!

Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:55 pm

I just put some Continental 155/60/15's up front of my 67 Fastback and it's 3 notches down and I have room to go 1 more without a problem. I got them from Discount Tire here in Prescott, Az. for $ 80.00 a tire. They come with an 80,000 mile warranty also. I really like the footprint over the 145's I did have up front. Although I am running some ICMP wheels that are only 4 inches wide.