Im replacing tires on my S-lites, and I cant decide between 205/45/17 vs 215/45/17. What do you guys think looks better? Anyone want to post some pics to help me decide? Im hoping the 215/45 will close the wheel gap a little bit.

Any performance advantages for one or the other?

Thanks!

 

These are 215/45 Nitto Neo Gens on 09 JCW Challenge wheels. TSW R56 springs, not a full inch lower. Gives you an idea.



Don

 

Great... now I just realized there's 215/40/17 as well... too many options.

 

Thinking of picking up a set of "Bridgestone - Potenza G019 Grid with Uni-T" from Costco. They're $409 installed (after $70 instant rebate) and they come with lifetime nitrogen inflation, free lifetime rotation, and free lifetime hazard protection. Seems like a good deal. What do you think?


http://tires2.costco.com/SearchResul...a-c8ce86c2ae8e

 

Was there a reason you wanted to go away from the stock tire size? Were you looking for a wider tire on purpose?

 

215/40/17 looks best.

If you're looking to close the wheelgap, do so by lowering the car. Meatier tires raise the car, which is no good.

 

Good point.. I just wanted a little buffer for pot holes and to give the car a little better ride. I live in Chicago, and the roads are horrible. Can I go wider w/out going taller?

 

I have run both and I prefer the 45 series for a couple of reasons .

They ride softer do to the extra volume.

They fill the fender well better which gives the appearance of being lower when the car is actually higher off the ground by a minimal amount when compared to 40 series.

Better rim protection when encountering road hazards such as pot holes.

Easier entry and exit from steep driveways etc.

Randy
M7 Tuning

First two photos is with my track wheels and 40 series . The rest are with my 45 series sets.

 

Yes, but just don't go too wide so that clearance becomes an issue.

 

+ one

 

Randy, is your car lowered in any of the photos? I think I prefer the look of the 45s as well.

 

Yes I am lowered by 1.3 inches front and rear .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

215/40 is only a tiny bit shorter, 215/45 is a tiny bit taller. Unfortunately they don't make anything like a 215/42 for you :P

 

How about 205/45 or 205/40 then? Perhaps with an et37 wheel?

 

What??? Rough horrible roads in the Chicago area??? Everytime I get down that way there is road construction EVERYWHERE! And the tolls IL collects just over the WI border....haven't they fixed all these roads yet?!

 

215/40-17 looks the best and provides better gearing.
And it really is the old BMW crowds "Plus One Sizing".

 

According to the tire calculator, thats actually a little smaller. 215/45 would be plus size, no?

 

I just ordered a set of those from TR, and they're being installed this Saturday! I got new 17" wheels, and have the G109s on my 16" wheels, and love them. I'm not a Costco member, so couldn't take advantage of that deal ... sounds really nice!

 

Just FYI - I heard that Costco will not sell non-runflat tires if you do not have a spare. There's a thread about that somewhere here on NAM.

 

I'll just bring a winter tire and say thats my spare... They're giving me a hard time about selling me a 215/45 instead of the OEM 205/45 too.. Whats their deal?

 

They don't trust customers to know what they want anymore Just tell them you're well versed in tire sizes and understand what you're ordering.

 

I think sometimes mass market chains are concerned with liabilty, combined with a lack of "outside of the box" knowlege.

Alex

 

Do we get any NAM discounts @ Tire Rack?

 

Yes little smaller provides better gearing, I now use 15's for a lot smaller and better gearing. 40 series tire also provides better steering response.

No, Plus 1 is one size wider in tread width and one size smaller in sidewall. It meant to gain better traction and better gearing and steering response, not to compromise the latter. From OEM 205/45-17 that wold be 215/40-17.

 

That may not be correct . I have always heard it was this way. Plus 1 = a one inch larger diameter wheel .

Randy
M7 Tuning

1. Plus Zero
This method utilizes the same wheel diameter as Original Equipment (OE) but incorporates a tire with a larger than OE section width and smaller than OE aspect ratio. For example, replacing an OE 175/70R14 tire (on a 5.5-inch wheel) with a 195/60R14 tire would be a proper Plus Zero fitment. Note that this practice may require a replacement wheel in order to maintain proper rim width for the new tire.
2. Plus One This method utilizes a one-inch larger diameter wheel in conjunction with a tire of a one-step lower aspect ratio. An example of an appropriate Plus One fitment is to replace an OE 175/70R13 tire (23-inch overall diameter) with a 185/60R14 tire (22.9-inch overall diameter). Note that this method always requires a replacement wheel.
2. Plus Two
This method utilizes a two-inch larger diameter wheel in conjunction with a tire of a two-step lower aspect ratio. An example of an appropriate Plus Two fitment is to replace an OE 175/70R13 tire (23-inch overall diameter) with a 195/50R15 tire (22.8-inch overall diameter).