Wider tires on 98 c230 w/fact rims ?
 

Looking to purchase new tires for my car. Probably going with Dunlop Sp Sport a2 or sp sport 5000's. Question: The factory size is 205/60/15, I am using the factory alloys. Can I put a mildly wider tire on the car ? I do not want anything extravagant bulging out of the wheel wells, rubbing, or looking odd. If so, what size would work ? I want to put more tire surface on the ground. Would that equate to a 55 series tire ? Everything is staying factory on the car....alloys....suspension...etc... Would my answer be 205/55/15 ? Would they fit without any complications ? I am not concerned about gas mileage.

Thanks

A 225/55 15" is the closest diameter match to your stock size, but may be a bit wide for the factory 7" wide rim? The 205/55 won't be any wider than a 205/60, just a shorter sidewall.

This site http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html lets you play around with tire size effects and get instant answers.

If you want more rubber on the road, and can spend the dollars, get the MB 6 spoke sport wheels in 16" diameter and install 215/50 or 225/50 rubber. It is less than 1% difference in diameter either way, and looks great (see below for my 98 C230 with 205/55 tires, probably 215 0r 225 next time).