Just put a set of 15X9 with 225/45 Rivals on my NB. Was running 15X6.5 with 205/50 R71's. Car has Eibach ProKit springs and the FM alignment so it is just a tad lower. Was told by Goodwin (where I got the wheels from) that shouldn't rub with more than 1.5*-2* camber. Well, I guess I don't have that much camber as the rears did rub on hard turns. Rolled the rear fenders some and it doesn't rub anymore. Plan is to put a set of coilovers, most likley FM's VMaxx Extreme later when we start local autocrosses again. Our site is unavailable because of this pandemic. When I install the coilovers the plan is a more aggressive alignment that should get more clearance.
Rivals are chunky tires. They will rub where others will not.
My 99 NB has rival 225 /45r15s on 6 inch wheels. Can't go wider due to class rules. I drive it to events, and they're fine on the street.
I'm enjoying the 205s on 8" wheel combo on my NB. It's really nice having all the 205/50-15 options for tires Granted, the car came with some terrible 17s and rock hard tires so the bar was pretty low. VMaxxes needed adjusting in the photo, but it looks cool.
Other than cosmetic and ego, there is no good reason to run large tires on the street.
Now if you are into competition events.
I find the 205,s and 7" wheels on my FiST quite adequate for spirited driving on country roads.
I've gotta say, ironically, as the guy who started this, I'm starting to lean to (a different set of) 15x8s and 205s.
I'm still fence sitting it a little, but the more I think about it, 15x9/225 might be another day.
The idea behind it was to equipment up a little to see if I can move up to the front end of the competition in local STR.
But the fact is that the occasional (really competent) guy with literally nothing other than RE71s on his bone stock NB is as fast or faster than I am.
My goal at autocross is to improve as a driver, and I'm thinking the 15x9/225 combo will just mask my driving weaknesses better (especially as an "overdriver").
Tires are needed shortly (the wheels are a want, but, if I were going 225s, I've heard they're a little faster on 9s than 8s), so I think I'll grab some RE71s or the new RT660s, test said they compared well.
And I think a little skinnier tire will force me to concentrate on proper technique more, we'll see.
But, it is nice to know that if (when) I do go wider, seems like it's pretty doable.
