drn4u

I am planning on getting 20 inch rims in place of the stock 19s. I have been told (and read here) that most are going from the 225/45/19 up front to the 245/35/20 and 275/30/20 for the rears. If I do that, won't the lower profile tires make the fender gap worse? I was planning on getting a modest lowering with the Tanabes but with my JP lip I am concerned about an excessive drop between the lip, lowering, and lower profile tires. I'm no expert on tires/rims but from what I have read on one of the threads, the radius of the 245/35/20 rims would be smaller than the 225/45/19s and I would therefore assume the fender gap would get bigger. Is that the case?? Thanks guys!

myk1013

iTrader: (2)

Yes.
I have 225/35/20's up front and the fender is more noticeable than when I had the stocks on. I have 275/30's in the rear and gap looks ok.
This is on stock height. Installing my Eibachs when I have time.

finagle69

iTrader: (3)

there is less than a percent difference between the overall rolling diameter of a 225/45/19 and a 245/35/20. the same can be said for the 245/40/19 and 275/30/20.

HamstersG

iTrader: (5)

Exactly. However, it is more of an optical illusion in that the gap can look "bigger". With the new wheels, your eye is drawn more to the wheel area and the stock gap is noticed more. Not any larger of a gap, but just more noticed. Getting the wrong offset can have a negative effect on the optics as well.

You might want to have the drop done first. That way whoever is doing the work is not messing with your shiny new wheels....one guy on the forum posted how their Volks got damaged by a tech. I used to put the stockers back on my BMW before taking it in for any service requiring the wheels to be removed....but I am paranoid. Good luck.

drn4u

Thanks guys! From what I can see from the chart on the other thread (the miata tire calculator), there will be about a 0.2 inch height drop which I guess isn't that much but with my lip and if I add theTanabe's I just don't want to scrape too much (been there in other cars I have had....not the end of the earth but just a hassle...) What do you guys think of putting a 40 profile (with 20s) on the fronts and decreasing the gap by 0.8 inch (just about what the Tanabe's do in decreasing the gap). Would that look odd? Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

drn4u

Oops, I think it would decrease the gap by 0.4 inches, but the total tire height would be 0.8 higher....

WhiteG37S

just throw some 255/35/20's on there..they fit no prob...255/40's would be stupid

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

I've got Tanabe NF210 and stock wheels right now. There is still a little bit if gap in front, the rear us perfect. I'll have 20's in a week or so, I'll be able to tell and show you what it will be like. My wheels will have 245/35/20 front and 275/30/20 rear.

da mayor

iTrader: (2)

just make sure you get the correct offset. i tried on a few different wheels to get the correct offset to have it sit flush w/ my fenders back then. I'm just picky like that

drn4u

"255/40's would be stupid"...........BECAUSE.......

Thanks to all for your input....just don't want to make a mistake and regret it afterwards!! Yo, Black Betty, what shoes are you getting?? Looking forward to the pix!

Black Betty

iTrader: (60)

20" Volk GTC glossy black with polished lip.

drn4u

Nice!