Guys my tires are almost gone, So I thought this would be a good time to pimp-up my 99 intrigue with large rims. The stock tires and rims are 225-60-16. Question? what is the max rim size and tire compo I can install with-out messing up the computer. Looking forward to some ideas.

This is a really good one. I think everyone has thought of changing the ugly stock wheels on the Intrigue. If I were going to do it I would go with an 18" rim. To have a minimal effect on the speedo go with 245/45-18 tire. The stock 225/60-16 have a diameter of 26.6 inches and revolve at 757.0 revs/mile. Upgrading to 245/45-18 would have a diameter of 26.7 inches and rotate at 756.0 revs/mile. I used this website for the numbers http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and this one to help chose a size http://www.dsm.org/tools/tiresize.epl. I personally wouldnt go bigger than 18s. I dont know if the 245s would rub on full lock turns but I doubt it. Unfortunately this upgrade would run about $1200 for cheap rims and tires. Look on tirerack.com, they have decent selection and free mounting and balancing so you can throw them on in the driveway, but it will cost around $200 to have them shipped to you.

This is a really good one. I think everyone has thought of changing the ugly stock wheels on the Intrigue. If I were going to do it I would go with an 18" rim. To have a minimal effect on the speedo go with 225/45-18 tire. The stock 225/60-16 have a diameter of 26.6 inches and revolve at 757.0 revs/mile. Upgrading to 245/45-18 would have a diameter of 26.7 inches and rotate at 756.0 revs/mile. I used this website for the numbers http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and this one to help chose a size http://www.dsm.org/tools/tiresize.epl. I personally wouldnt go bigger than 18s. I dont know if the 245s would rub on full lock turns but I doubt it. Unfortunately this upgrade would run about $1200 for cheap rims and tires. Look on tirerack.com, they have decent selection and free mounting and balancing so you can throw them on in the driveway, but it will cost around $200 to have them shipped to you.


Thank you for the info The 1st link is great, I can pick and choose any size and keep everthing working great

This is a really good one. I think everyone has thought of changing the ugly stock wheels on the Intrigue. If I were going to do it I would go with an 18" rim. To have a minimal effect on the speedo go with 225/45-18 tire. The stock 225/60-16 have a diameter of 26.6 inches and revolve at 757.0 revs/mile. Upgrading to 245/45-18 would have a diameter of 26.7 inches and rotate at 756.0 revs/mile. I used this website for the numbers http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and this one to help chose a size http://www.dsm.org/tools/tiresize.epl. I personally wouldnt go bigger than 18s. I dont know if the 245s would rub on full lock turns but I doubt it. Unfortunately this upgrade would run about $1200 for cheap rims and tires. Look on tirerack.com, they have decent selection and free mounting and balancing so you can throw them on in the driveway, but it will cost around $200 to have them shipped to you.

He is right.. I have done the same set up with my Intrigue and installed 245/45/18's and it does not rub at all. However , if you are goimg to lower the car with Eibach springs it WILL rub. I have that issue now and I am raising it back up soon.

He is right.. I have done the same set up with my Intrigue and installed 245/45/18's and it does not rub at all. However , if you are goimg to lower the car with Eibach springs it WILL rub. I have that issue now and I am raising it back up soon.


I would be interested in seeing pics of 18's on your car. Nothing quite like seeing it to help decide whether or not to upgrade. Maybe a pic after you raise it back up. That air catcher for the radiator rubs on every driveway as it is, I cant imagine if it were lowered. Or did you remove it? How bad do you tires rub? Is it because the 245 width or do the eibachs lower it so much it rubs with stock wheels? You might be able to put 225's on the 18s and have it not rub if its only rubbing on tight turns. That would just throw your speedo off a little more.

I would be interested in seeing pics of 18's on your car. Nothing quite like seeing it to help decide whether or not to upgrade. Maybe a pic after you raise it back up. That air catcher for the radiator rubs on every driveway as it is, I cant imagine if it were lowered. Or did you remove it? How bad do you tires rub? Is it because the 245 width or do the eibachs lower it so much it rubs with stock wheels? You might be able to put 225's on the 18s and have it not rub if its only rubbing on tight turns. That would just throw your speedo off a little more.

Well, my Intrigue only rubs in the back when the rear suspension compresses and as a result it rubs on the fender. The front just gives me headache from the additional stress on the bearings, cv's and unusual noises. The car was not ever meant to be lowered. :nono:

Ill show you pics but I can't figure out how to upload pics from my comp to here. It wants links only.. Any tech advice.. :screwy: on this lovely process.. THX

Well, my Intrigue only rubs in the back when the rear suspension compresses and as a result it rubs on the fender. The front just gives me headache from the additional stress on the bearings, cv's and unusual noises. The car was not ever meant to be lowered. :nono:

Ill show you pics but I can't figure out how to upload pics from my comp to here. It wants links only.. Any tech advice.. :screwy: on this lovely process.. THX


Ive never loaded a pic on here but there is an 'insert image' tab above the text box.

Does it rub on the inner fender in the back? If it rubs on the inside of the fender you might be able to hack up the the spots it rubs with the grinder to get clearence. Or insert rubber stops on the spring itself to prevent full compression of the spring. But from the array of front end problems youve had I'd say pull them and go back to stock springs and a nice aftermarket shock to make up some of the handling.

I'm running Kazera 17x7.5 six-spoke wheels with Michelin 225/55-17 MXV4's.
Have no rubbing or interference. Also have the Eibach 1" lowering kit, which actually seems to have dropped it closer to 2" in front and 1.5" in back. Looks VERY sharp (if I may say so myself!:p)