Right now I have them set to 35. I was thinking of taking them higher to see what kind of difference it made but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

I'm a bit of a luddite here, so your instincts might be correct. Even a 205 or 215 tire would be nice.

 

Yep and 2 more prolly my fave of the selection is:
215/40-17
235/40-17 R56 only

 

So what's the biggest tire I can fit on a R56 with stock suspension?

 

Hi Powashiftin, I don't know. It seems 225/45/17 would have been the max for me, but I am very happy with the 215/45/17 ContinentalExtremeContact DWS tires I had put on by TireVan. A trip in the neighborhood immediately showed me what so many others already know: the ride is nicer than the runflats. The installed PSI was 35psi. I think I will increase that to 36 or 37. The real test will be Monday's commute. I'll travel backroads and highways over cement and pavement. Not too many twisties, but It will be a good first check. One note, I like that the tire seems flush to the rim edge. The OEM Continentals at 205/45/17 were slightly inside the rim edge. Also, these new tires fill the wheel well a little more.

 

Day 2 on the 215/45 ContiS. Had the whole family in the car. Everyone agreed the ride is nicer. On some 25 to 30 mph curves, I noticed what others have said. My car has some give in the corners. It still feels like it takes corners on rails...but more like when you ride a wooden roller coaster and the car sways just a bit. I'm probably making too much of it.

Nice thing though about the bumps and imperfections in the road. They are much easier to take. Not sure if this is all due to the non-runflat phenomenon only or if the added size has a large or small factor to this.

One note: Today's trips were done on 36 PSI. I increased each tire by a pound since yesterday since the ride seemed way too soft.

 

Great review. Thanks

Anyone know if I can fit a 225/45/17 tire on a stock R56?

 

I'd rather go 235/40-17 Not sure of the rather tall size or 225/45-17???
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...377-post8.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...86-post28.html

 

What about on stock rims

 

Oh I see you got R56. It might fit, if it does not all you need is 5mm spacers. I think it will fit, just have to keep an eye on the inside rear wheel.

 

I like your thinking on this. I think I would have like a lower profile than the 45 that I have. The 215 width is nice, but the 45 profile is softer than I am used to...of course. I'm sure it will take time to get used to it.

Yesterday I did my commute almost twice. About 80 miles in, out, and again driving over backroads and hwy. It was wet with light rain. The ContinentalExtremeContact DWS tires did very well. In the rougher areas of road, I was glad I had nonrunflats, so much smoother than before.

But I do miss that connected feel you get from a hard tire. That's the balancing act (no pun intended, but o.k.) when you are looking for a non runflat tire: Trying to lessen the harsh ride without going too soft.

I think a 215/40 or 215/35 might be in my future.

 

I just came in from firestone with the intention of swapping my BNIB deceptions 17x7.5's 45mm and I held off after the firestone tech called me over to show me that my wheels with the 205/45 RF's WILL rubb. He showed me the marks where they already rub,... and I'm stock. your thoughts???

 

So you mounted the 205/45 tore on a 7.5" wide wheel with a 45mm offset?
The width and offset are hurting you, as the OEM 7" wide wheels have a typical offset of 48mm.
The extra half-inch width without moving the offset largely enough is causing the rubbing issue.

- Erik

 

soooo.... a spacer with about how much you think???

 

7mm - 10mm would be a good for you to clear.

- Erik

 

I too would like to know the answer to this question as well since I am about to invest in Falken RT615's in either 215-45-17 or 225-45-17 on Konig Deceptions (http://www.altaperformance.com/hardt...17-wheel-black) or Konig Feathers http://www.altaperformance.com/hardt...ather-17-wheel.

Any information would help .

 

I think you should visit and consult the same with a good tire installer or tire dealer because these are the expertise on the same.

 

I would not go wider than 215/45R17.

 

I'm running 215/45/17 BFG g-Force Comp 2's with Swift spec-R springs and no not have any clearance issues on the street or track

 

Where was your rubbing? I'm running 205/45R17 Ventus V12 Evo on Ultraleggeras lowered on Eibachs and do not appear to rub. Going to a set of BC Racing coilovers though... Wonder if that will cause rubbing?

 

What do you guys reccomend for a 09' JCW?

 

225 45 17 is the tire size I run on our 2011 r56's with stock rims using Bridgestone S04 poles in a non run flat. Would never go back to the little 205's ....

 

225 45 17 tire size won't rub on stock suspension, that is what I have and mine are Continental DWS extreme contact. However, at 35000 miles, the tires are "cupping" I believe is the term. Due to the extra 1inch in width, the wear is uneven on the outer edge of the tread. At highway speeds, I can hear a distinct humming or "wum wum" sound from the rear tires. Technician also confirmed issue just looking at tires. PSI is 39lbs all around. I want to get rid of the wum wum sound so I am going to go with smaller width at 215 45 17 Michellan Pilot Sports AS.

 

could this be due to an alignment issue and not so much tire size? I've also been thinking of doing 215's but since I'm going to up to a 17x7.5" wheel the 205 will give a slight "stretch" look that I want.

 

On my forth set of 225 45 16 between two MCS’s, I have tried Bridgestone RE11, RE760 and S-04 poles (my personal favorite) with perfect cross wear and no issues of any kind.

I’m sure you stay on top of your rotations, balancing and alignments like I do, but personally I stop using Continental and Pirelli tires because they always seemed to develop some kind of odd uneven wear or performance issue in the last 25% of tire life.

I’m thinking your assessment is dead-on downsizing an all-season tire in a summer tire environment like Tampa. The all-season is likely the root issue as it is designed to be more flexible in the cold but doesn’t hold its contour in the heat, you may want to consider the Michelin Pilot Super Sport even if you decide to down size to 215’s.

Just a friendly suggestion...