So i just got my NM eng. RSE05's and i am trying to find the best tire and size to put on them. 17X7.5 45 offset on 2003 MCS with stock susp. Feedback please. Im leaning towards the Pilot super sport BTW
Thanks in advance!

 

I didn't even consider 40 series on my 17x7.5 rota's , I want some cushion between wheels and road. For sure 215 on 7.5 as it sits pretty much straight on rim, I think 205 is a tad skinny for 7.5 , I like the ride of the 45's , almost as smooth as the 205/50/16's I had before.

I don't like rubber band tires , takes too much out of the suspension.

 

I'm running 215/45R17 Michelin Pilot Super Sports on my black NM RSe05 wheels and absolutely love it So far one of the best summer tires I've run to date!

 

215/40's ... you will not feel the difference since you're running all-season. wider track and enough cushion is provided.

 

Looks like the OP was not looking at all season tires...

 

Looking thru a ton of threads it seems like 215/45 is most popular.
BTW i talked to a guy at Nuespeed and he said run 40's if your just gonna run summer tires and 45 for all season.

 

Your right im just looking at running summer tires only.

 

I went with black also What other summer tires have you run if you dont mind me asking? Im also looking at the PilotSport3, Cont DW and the Nitto neo gen.

 

The tire options in the 40 series are minimal. Plus most are Extreme Summer Performance which, for most, isn't ideal for their needs. Its more of the race size I'd say. The 45 series have 8x the tire options.

 

I've ran Conti DW, Bridgestone RE050A, Dunlop Star Specs, Dunlop Direzza ZII, and Hankook R-S3. Some of those are waaay more grippy than others and I ran them more for Autox on my R53. I've yet to run my R56S in AutoX. I haven't ran the PSS before so I thought I'd give them a try. So far I'm very happy, although I'm still breaking them in and it hasn't been the warmest around here so I don't know their full potential as of yet.

 

What suspension are you using? Stock? Any plans to lower the suspension in the future?

If you are only using stock suspension then either 205/45-17 or 215/45-17 tire sizes are fine, will fit, and will work for street use.

If your roads are bad and full of potholes the 215/45-17 will give you more sidewall.

Ride comfort and good handling will depend more on which tire you choose than on tire size alone.

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a good choice for street duty and Max Summer tires. Note that they won't last as long as some All Season tires and they are not for use in cold weather under 40 degrees.

Although there is less tire selection in 215/40-17, there are still several very good tires that come in that size which will fit your wheels and work with either Stock or a lowered suspension. If you have good roads then it is certainly an option.
e.g.:
Dunlop Direzza ZII Extreme Summer tire 200 treadwear $152 each, perfect fit for 7.5" wide rim.
Or if you want longer treadlife and All season use then:
General Altimax HP Grand Touring All Season tire. 440 treadwear, $74 each
Or for those on a budget:
Sumitomo HTR ZII Ultra High Perf Summer tire, 360 treadwear, $72 each

 

215/45R17

Conti DW

may even consider 225/45 with 5mm spacers if you are staying stock height.

i have the white rse05 and im lowered so i stagger mine 215/45 in the front. 225/45 in the back.

 

All of those tire choices are fine for street use.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 comes in two forms, one is an Ultra High Performance All Season tire while the other is a High Performance All Season tire. They have different speed ratings and prices and will come in slightly different sizes depending on which wheel diameter you use.

In your case the High Performance All Season V speed rated version is fine for you.
215/45-17 $118 each, 500 treadwear

The same sized tire in the Ultra High Performance W speed rated version is $148 each, 500 treadwear. The difference is the UHPAS version is made with a stronger more heat resistance construction so speed rating is higher.

For the Continentals you can consider either:
ExtremeContact DW (Max summer tire)
$108 each in 215/45-17, 340 treadwear, 20 lbs, good choice for summer street tire.

or Extreme Contact DWS (Ultra High Performance All Season tire)
$119 each in 215/45-17, 540 treadwear, 20 lbs, a comfortable street tire that wears well.