I got a set of 19x7.5 wheels that came with new 215 tires on them. I know, unconventional to go narrower. It was intended for coupe and the tires are brand new, and came free with the set up. The diameter is well within tolerance but curious if it’s actually worth ditching brand new rubber for 225’s. The car is a family hauler. I’d rather put the money into lowering springs and drop 1” than to buy new tires to gain 1cm of grip if it makes no tangible difference. Anyone can shine some light on this for me would be appreciated. My shop would obviously prefer to sell me on the next upgrade, so I’ll take their advice with a grain of salt.

 

Based on what others said on this forum I went with a wider 235/35/19 when I got rid of my 225/35/19's and went with non-runflats after i added a spare. I really like the look of the wider tire, I wish I could go a little bigger to fill in the wheel-well more, but if you're lowering then that wouldn't matter
What sidewall are the 215's?

 

That’s a nice wide contact patch. Does it pull with the grooves on the road? The sidewalls are 35 profile. The wheels are from Ac Schnitzer. They are 7.5” so I think 225 is the widest I can go and what they recommend. With 215 the diameter is 2mm smaller and 10mm narrower than my current 225x40x18r. So basically the same diameter since my tires have a little wear. I also got some 7mm spacers to push them out a little and the kit from them with the slime and inflator (no spare). I get the sense that I won’t notice a difference the way I drive. I wanted to see the look before I order othe springs. I’ve got some 18” Bridgestone potentzas to unload now.

 

Do you think you would be able to fit 245s? I would love to get 245s on my F54 once I get new wheels.

 

from what I see on willtheyfit.com doesn’t seem that’s possible!

 

my 235 is incredibly close to the strut, like a paper-thin gap, for a 245 I think you'd have to get some wheel spacers, no idea what size spacers as I have no interest in adding them but I see ECS has quite a few sizes available here

 

I would definitely not swap them out - close enough to spec.

 

thanks Eric. I certainly wasn’t looking to get into the tire business. I still have some 18” Bridgestone Potenza’s rft that are barely used to offload. If I added 4 more tires I’d really have nowhere to put them

 

This is what it looks like. The 19”s fill out the wheel well a little better than I thought, but still think it needs to drop a little

 

Looks good, my 19's with 235/35/19

 

Love those wheels. The 235 has much nicer sidewall height. Mine doesn’t feel too rough but it looks like a rubber band, which only looks good slammed. Plus I have falkens, which are meh, to say the least. After lowering that should be my next purchase.

 

I like the wheels, but the tires do look very skinny. I would be careful to avoid any big holes or curbs. Run it until you need new tires, then get the proper size. Save for some springs, too...

 

Im most concerned about the ground clearance in winter for springs. I go back and forth. A JCW is 10mm lower so it’d be 15mm lower than that. A little more meat on the sidewall will help, even if I am married to 35 profile tires. I think 235 x 35 tires are the best compromise. The rims are 7.5” so that seems to the the max I can go. At least it will add a meat, width and diameter