I was looking at a set of wheels and tires on ebay. The wheels are 17x7 (front) and 17x8 (rear). The tires are 205 / 45 / 17 (front) and 235 / 40 / 17 (rear). Would these be good for the S2000? Also, wheels have a 35mm offset.


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They won't work.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...&f=56&t=342793

 

Good FAQ. To further my question, how do I know what size wheel I want. I know that I should maintain at least a 20mm stagger between the wheels, but how do I know if I should go 225 and 245 or 245 and 265, etc?

Or should it really be a 40mm stagger? Since the OE S02s have a 245 contact patch?

 

If you want to maintain, more or less, the same sort of handling balance of OEM, then you try to duplicate as close as possible to the OEM stagger, within reason.
The OEM 16" was 205 and 225 (but this is actually closer to 245 non-OEM tires) and OEM 17" is 215 and 245.
Thus, you would go 205 and 245 OR 225 and 255 for tires. Then, to know what size of rims you need (width and diameter), they must be able to accommodate the sizes of tires you decide on. Then, the sizes of rims must also take into consideration things like offset so it all fits on the car right.

 

So you are saying 205/245 for an AP1 and 215/245 for an AP2?

If I move up to a 17" wheel (I have an AP1) then I would still go 205/245?

As for width, I followed the chart, but it gives me a range of wheel widths for each tire size, how do I know which to choose? And is there a reason to go w/ a greater than minimum offset? Finally, how do I select the other tire number (ie 245/XX-17). What does the XX need to be to maintain a calibrated speedo?

 

Those are variations on the same theme, not "choices". You must decide what you want and then proceed to put together a package that will work.
First, those sizes you stated:
205/245 for an AP1 and 215/245 for an AP2?
Would be what you would do if you wanted to keep within OEM specs. The 205/245 is only if you go non-OEM tires in 16".
Of course you can stick with 215/245 if you go 17". However, many people go with 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear for a nice looking and handling package. But this would necessitate rims that are wide enough to accommodate those sizes and have the correct offset so they fit on the car without sticking too far out or cause any rubbing.
The "minimum" offset in that table is to keep the rims and tires tucked in more or less so they don't rub. Going bigger offset will tuck them in more, giving you the opportunity to later lower the car if you so desire without rubbing.
To calculate what aspect ratio of tire to use, you can always plug in numbers in this calculator and try to keep within OEM diamters>
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
You know what the OME tire size is, so plug that in to see what the diameter you are aiming for in a different tire.

 

Seems like a good size combo to me. Plenty of tires avalible too. Thanks.

So to make sure I'm clear. If I wanted to run a 225/45-17 (front) and 255/40-17 (rear) I'd need a 17x(7-8) w/ 53mm offset (front) and 17x(8-9.5) w/ 50mm offset (rear)? And if I want the tires to stick out a little bit more than stock and dont really plan on dropping the car then I'd want to stick with the minmum allowable offset?

 

That's correct. The most ideal offsets and widths with those tires so far seem to be the Volk line where the fronts are 7.5" wide and 53mm offset and the rears are 9.0" width and 65mm offset. But if you like another rim, then you get the closest they've got.