Which size best *I Got Em*

[Hot Rodders]

Getting some RE001 but need help re sizes.
I have a stock 2000 NB
Which would be better and why?
195/55R/15
or
205/55R/15
Cheers!
HR

[EGG80X]

isn't the stock tyre profile is 195/50R15?

[Hot Rodders]

Not sure, that's why I'm asking. I'm car illiterate.
Any body help? Explain?

[Locutus]

stock width/profile if possible, otherwise go the 195/55s.

they will be slightly lighter, have slightly smaller sidewalls and have a slightly smaller rolling diameter than 205/55s, all of which means more performance. difference is so small that it probably won't be noticable though.

do some homework:
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

[manga_blue]

x2. Stock is 195/50 x 15. There's no good reason to change. It's the best size going for them anyway. 195/55 and 205/55 are taller, heavier and would move around on the rim more. They'd upset your speedo accuracy and your handling.

[Hot Rodders]

Read all that blurb before coming here. It all sounds double dutch, but I get its drift. I just thought it would be better to check with the guys here who know. So, should I go by what's on the tyres already on the car, or should there be some info some where on the car or in the owners hand book?
Told you I was car illiterate!

[manga_blue]

... and Bridgestone DO supply them in 195/50 x 15. Find another tyre dealer if yours hadn't told you that in the first place.

[marcusus]

So, should I go by what's on the tyres already on the car, or should there be some info some where on the car or in the owners hand book?

The easiest place to look will be I think on the driver's side door arch (I think that's where it is on my NB8A, which is the same model as yours) basically next to your seat. There should be a white sticker on there with the recommended tyre sizes and it will read 195/50/15.

Go with that size. No point messing with what Mazda have spent all the hard work figuring out.

[Juffa]

Hey Rod me ol' Dodgy Brother.

Have look on the sidewall of the tyres. You should see the size of the tyre on there. From memory you have the original Michelin Pilot tyres that the car came with, so as mentioned by others you should replace them with the same size of 195/50/15.

If you are wondering what this code means
195 = tyre width in mm
50 = sidewall height in percentage of width, ie 50% of 195mm
15 = wheel size in inches

J

[Andrew]

How did you go with your alignment

[Hot Rodders]

Thanks for your help guys. Part of the confusion was the fact that the door label shows two different tyre sizes
185/60R/14 82V
195/50R/15 82V
Andrew, I hope to get the 4 wheel alignment and the tyres on Wednesday.
Which brings me to my next point. Will they know the specs for the alignment or will I have to give them figures?

[Fra66L]

Been running 205/50/15s for years on my NB8A. They are slightly bigger overall than the stock 195/50/15s, but I generally have a better choice in performance tyres and the speedo is now almost exactly spot on (according to 2 different GPS units enyway).
For a decent alignment, give them the specs. There are some lying around here in a \"cool threads that have been saved\" section or similar...

Cheers,
Tony

[marcusus]

Been running 205/50/15s for years on my NB8A. They are slightly bigger overall than the stock 195/50/15s, but I generally have a better choice in performance tyres and the speedo is now almost exactly spot on (according to 2 different GPS units enyway).

Interesting. I've always wondered what would change if I put 205's on the stock rims. Might have to give this GPS speedo check thing a go. I wonder what the effect on calculated fuel consumption would be...

[Garry]

Calculated fuel consumption would be worse with a more accurate speedo because you will be travelling slightly less distance on the same amount of fuel. Assuming that your speedo is a little optimistic which is usually the case.

[16bit]

just go some 195 50 15 re001's - can't fault them. heaps and heaps of grip and brilliant in the wet.