I got a questin about lowering and bigger tires. Maybe it's been discussed but please bear with me. I have a 2001 Protege 2.0 LX and was thinking about getting eibach pro kit springs and mazdaspeed struts. This will drop the car 1.4" in the front and 1.8" in the back. If I get 17"x7" rims with lower profile tires, which should make the wheel the same size, will I have any rubbing of the wheels? Can anybody who done it share their experiance?

 

Yes they will most likely rub at one point or another.
Measure the 17 in with low pro tire and see if it is the same size height as the the stock 16 with tire. You should be able to get away with it and have no rubbing.

 

As long as you get a tire what has the same Diameter as the stock tire...or real close....( stock= 195/50/16 and the diameter of a 205/40/17 is actually .2 inches smaller) AND you use a wheel that has the proper offset....you will have NO problems at all.

Contact Rishie through the Wheel/Tire portion of this forum and HE is the true resident expert....he has a wheel/tire/suspension shop AND owns a P-5.

OH btw....that is where this thread really belongs so I am going to put it there. :{D

 

Strictly depends on the offset of the 17 inch rims. I went to tirerack and the overall diameter of a 195/50/16 and the 205/40/17 are the same, so if you get a high enough offset 17, they shouldn't rub.
The only reason I havent got 17s' or 18s', is the lack of selection of +48 and higher offset wheels. Sedans I know are somewhat lower of a offset wheel, but be careful anyway. Stay away from the +40 wheels, they will rub. Hope this helps, Later

http://photos.yahoo.com/slamprotege5

 

I have aftermarket wheels with a 40 offset and lowered with Eibach springs, and have yet to notice rubbing of any kind. Just make sure you get 205/40 tires. Peace