I'm looking at a set of wheels that are 16 X 7 with a +40 offset. What are the odds of these rubbing with 215/45-16 tires and that offset. Sorry if stupid question, but new to the whole import thing.

 

honestly, i don't see how u could rub unless u dropped like, 2.5 inches... even then, u may be able to pull it off. 16" is a pretty small rim.

the offset actually sounds about right, and a 7" rim will not rub. i have 215 width tires and they don't rub... mine are 18s

 

That should fit perfectly. I have 16x7 rims with a 42mm offset and 215/45/16 tires, and they fit just fine. I doubt 2mm will make much difference. And that size is even better for you, as it is almost the same diameter as your stock tire size. It's a little small for me, but that's good for the autocrossing I do on them. I'd say you have a winning combination there, go for it.

 

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear.

 

Hell, I had (swapped for winter steelies) 205/40/17s with more than a 2.5" drop and only had rubbing if I turned extremely quick or went over speed bumps entirely too fast.

 

The thing I wasn't sure about was the 215 instead of the 205 on a 40mm offset instead of a 42mm-45mm offset. Don't know how close the 'correct' set-up gets to the wheel house. I'm used to RWD offsets and big *** tires that barely fit in the back, and skinnys up front with more than enough room.

Thinking about it now though, it's only a 7.5mm difference bewtween a 205 on a 45mm offset and a 215 on a 40mm offset which is only around a 1/4", so I guess I'm worried about nothin. Just took my brain a minute to process the reverse offset thing.

 

for your tire size calculation go to

www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

IF you want to do it the old fashioned way follow this:

215 / 25.4= ? ?*.40=?
?*2+16=final diameter.

 

lol

 

yeah, but I think he was worried about the overall width fitting in the fender, not so much the diameter change. The concern here seemed to be rubbing.