205/45 16 vs 205/50 16. Also RE003 vs N Fera SU1

captaincabinets · Postby **captaincabinets** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:12 pm

Hi all

I note that the most popular tyre for NB2s are the 205/45 on the 16x6.5 stocks. However, seeing as the 205/50s are the same price for the tyre I'm probably going to get, what are the pros and cons between the two? I'm not planning to lower the car (or not significantly) so I thought the larger tyre would fill the wheel well more.

Also in my research I came across a handy tyre review / comparison site from the UK. The results are pushing me towards the Nexen N Fera SU1 over the Bridgestone Adrenalin RE003. Looks like a small sacrifice in grip for a cheaper tyre that will give a smoother ride and last longer.

Any thoughts on this?

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nexen/N-Fera-SU1.htm
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Bridg ... -RE003.htm

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:22 pm

205/50R16 will give you 0.8" increase in rolling diameter, effectively lengthening your final drive ratio.
I'd stick to 205/45, I can't see any upside to 205/50 besides potential rubbing problems if lowered and being heavier.

1green5 · Postby **1green5** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:32 pm

Let's ask every single question under the sun....
and let's post them all in General Chat

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Sat Jun 18, 2016 9:34 pm

I run 205/50R16s on 16x7 +29 offset rims and lowered coil overs- they just rub on the inner guard on the front right over large bumps. Speedo is just slightly under as opposed to 10% over on 45 profile. The difference means I can clear the speed humps on our street without adding more preload on the coil overs.

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captaincabinets · Postby **captaincabinets** » Sun Jun 19, 2016 12:05 am

Thanks SMY and bigdog.

1green, I've tried asking in the sub forums and I get less replies or none. The hard-working and kind mods seem to move them afterwards. If they have a problem I assume they'd mention it to me directly, rather than asking an unhelpful passive aggressive agent to do it on their behalf.

I would have thought these forums are for asking questions and learning from those with more experience than I do. I have owned an MX-5 for two months, and I'm really enthusiastic about it, hence I post often.