[Miata] 195/60s vs 195/50s

[glen mccready]

the.jack wrote:
> How much might I regret choosing to stay with 14s and get
> 195/60-14s over a new set of tires AND wheels giving me 195/50-15s?
> Assume the same tire (Hankook R-S2s, I'd like to try those out as
> everyone already has opinions on the Azenis, the Toyos and the
> Kumho MXs). I'm on the fence about which was to go as the idea of
> an exhaust has been quite interesting to me as well (ie instead of
> wheels).

Specification  Sidewall  Radius  Diameter  Circumference Revs/Mile  Difference
195/60-14         4.6in  11.6in    23.2in         72.9in       869        0.0%
195/50-15         3.8in  11.3in    22.7in         71.2in       889       -2.3%

So, the 15in setup will give you slightly lower gearing, the
gearing may help acceleration, but that assumes you keep the
unsprung weight comparable (ie. buy wheels that weigh the same
or less than your 14s). The 15in setup also has significantly
less sidewall which should help turn-in response, but also
means you're effectively losing some spring rate from the tire
so if you think the ride is harsh now, stick with the 14s for
more sidewall. And it gets more interesting when you consider
what rim width you're going to stretch the 195mm patch over, so
that's a whole other story...

Clear as mud?

glen