First post at the forums. May be moving over here from spyderchat.com. I tried to search for this question but couldn’t find the answer so thought I would start a thread.

So I am thinking about trading in my 2000 MR2 Spyder this weekend for a 2007 350z. One of my concerns is about winter.

I just purchased a set of winter tires for the spyder. The problem is they are for 15 inch rims. Do you think if I bought some basic 15 inch rims that fit the Z would I be able to use my tires for the 3 months of winter I need them? I realize it may look silly but the question is will it work? I am worried it may sit too low to the ground and turn the Z into a snow plow.

Let me know what you think! Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forums.
There could be multiple problems with this idea:
1) Per google, the rear tire size for a 2000 MR2 is 205/50R15, which has 23" outer diameter. Meanwhile the 2007 350Z has stock rear tire size 245/45R18 (assuming it's the standard wheel+tire package), which has 26.7" outer diameter. I didn't do the math on the front tires, but I think the difference would be proportional to the rears. This is too much of a difference from stock. Keep in mind that your wheel+tire is effectively the last "gear" in the overall transmission of the engine power to the road.

You would need some super tall tires on those 15" wheels to get to the proper outer diameters.


2) There is a chance that the barrels of the 15" wheels would be too small and therefore could interfere with the front and/or rear brake calipers.


My opinion is that if you really want the Z, go for it and sell the MR2 winter setup, at the risk of taking a bit of a loss on it.

 

Not to mention smallest rim you can run on the z is a 17 a 15 won't clear brakes..

 

Also do not let a set of snow tires stop you from getting a z in any way.. it'll be the best choose you made. I work at Toyota I have a celica beater a z is leaps and bounds a better car. F those tires. Sell them and buy a set for the z or try to work them in on the deal..

 

15's fit on my 03 but i never used them on the car. I'm using 17's with 215 60's and 65's,thats 1.3" higher than stock! Fenders are full of rubber but giving me more ground clearence for winter.

 

performance tires work well in winter for my z sled

 

Just buy like a cheap **** Chevy celebrity or something for winter and garage the z. I'm sure you can find something for around the price of some snows I bought a civic for 400 a month ago.

 

Don't be a cheap ***. Get the proper tires if you plan on running the Z during the winter, forget about getting all season tires, if you want to have a prayer of not getting stuck get some real winter tires, or do what alot of us midwest guys do and get a winter beater/second car.

One more option is, keep your current car another year and get a Z in the spring. Then you have all summer as to what you want to do as far as options go for winter. Being that you already have new winter tires for your MR2 might as well use them. Don't buy the Z out of impulse cause you might regret it later when you're doing a 720 on the freeway in winter. The Z already handle's like crap in the rain.

 

So did you buy it?

 

OP - As others mentioned, be sure to get properly sized wheels and tires for winter. Don't let the convenience of what you already have be a deciding factor!

 

They will not work period. The tire size you have for the spyder is no where close to the Z.

 

I think we scared him away...

 

Yes this question could be answered before it fix at wheel.