Hello,

Have a newbie question. I'm looking at a set of Falken Azenis RT-615 tires for autocross and driver's schools to fit on a 17x7 wheel.

These two tire sizes seem to both come up when looking into appropriate fitments. What are the advantages to one over the other? I know the 45 will be a larger overall diameter than stock and the 40 will be smaller, but otherwise I'm unsure of the differences.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

this is a current thread going on right now

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=139811

 

205/45-17 is stock size

215/40-17 is lower profile stiffer sidewall for better performance, costs more and looks more aggressive, might be noisier on the street and is smaller than stock for better gearing but also increases wheel gap if you have stock suspension. Better for performance driving.

215/45-17 is a better size for street use, taller sidewall but still pretty stiff depending on the exact tire, usually weighs more, closes the wheel gap due to tall tire diameter, risks rubbing if you lower your car.

Both are a bit off from stock so some speedo and odometer error.

RT-615 will wear fairly fast. 200 treadwear. Can be used on the street but don't do high mileage. Good for the track, not quite sticky enough for autocross but still OK. Well priced.

Costs more- check out the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star spec.

 

Minihune, you are tons of help! I don't mind a bit more wheel gap, it's not a huge concern to me. I don't plan on lowering the car at all, but do not want to risk rubbing at all. So I guess the 40 is better for me.

I'll check out the Dunlop you mentioned. Are there any other tires I should look at? I don't want to go too much more on the cost as I'm just a beginner and just want some tires that are capable and let me spare my run flats from abuse.

Thanks!

 

215/45 doesn't rub on stock suspension as long as you keep your wheel offset in check (i.e. not too low).

 

Yup. If you're not lowering the car 45's will be more comfortable and look better. What wheels are you planning on getting?

 

Ah, ok. Comfort is a good thing, especially on DC and NYC roads!

I'm looking at the Team Dynamics Pro Race 1 wheels. I like the look and they're reasonably lightweight. I know that Koseis or Kongis may be slightly better weight wise and cheaper, but I do want a wheel that I'm happy with visually (since I'll most likely use them during most of the summer months). Also, I've heard some good things about the Pro Race strength-wise.

I'm open to any suggestions, though, especially with regards to tires. The more I see about the Dunlops, they better they look. I'd like to keep them to around $150/tire, mounted.

Thanks for all the help!

 

the TDR's are nice...lots of options to get fitment right. a 17x7ET42 or so with 215/45 will have NO issues. I ran that combo in several versions on two different MINI's and your R56 has more clearance outboard then the older models.

 

Do they make the TDR with et42? All I've seen is 45. I could be mistaken though.

Also, going from 45 to 42 would mean the wheel sticks out from the car by a further 3mm, right?

And the OEM offset is 48mm?

 

45 is the one most people carry (which only gets you 3mm more outboard while you'd be adding at least 5mm of rubber on the inboard side...meaning less clearance than stock).

I had 17x7.5ET 42 though...they don't even list that one. Aaron at Outmotoring is a great resource for these....email him for what's available (more than what's listed) and for what works best for the R56.

 

The Dunlop Star Specs are supposedly great tires. Never used them though...

If you're going to be driving primarily on the street with the tires, consider the Hankook Ventus RS-2's. They've got a softer sidewall and handle a lot better in the rain.

 

So the RT-615 and the Direzza will both be pretty poor in the rain? How bad are we talking here?

 

I don't know on the Direzza. The RT-615's are pretty bad in the rain.

The RS-2's are supposedly a marked improvement.

You can drive in the rain on slicks if you want, just take it easy...

 

I have General Exclaims UHP 215/45/17 on Sportedition f7 wheels - I have run them in some slush in Calgary, Canada - Spring weather unpredictability. I have full winter tires. Exclaims have been excellent. R53 stock suspension not even close to having any rubbing issues and I often have the back seat loaded with 1-2 kids.

 

Thanks guys for all the help. So the size issue is now determined...now I need to rethink my tire selection.

Thanks again!

 

General exclaims are nowhere near the performance of any of the other tires in this thread. UHP tires are 3 categories below Extreme Performance Summer tires.

 

I have the RT-615's in 215/40/17 on right now, and they have proven to be very good in the rain.

 

here is a pic of the RT-615s in 215/40/17

 

For dry or wet traction-
Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 star spec should be fine and much better than your average performance tire-
This test is for the basic Direzza Sport Z1
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=100
Since that test Dunlop has released it's replacement with star spec name
Note the good wet handling ratings compared to very good tires in the test.

Hankook Rs2 is better than the Falken in the wet. Both are better priced than the Direzza Sport Z1 Star spec but I think the Star Spec is a better tire overall for street use (noise and comfort). All of these can wear faster though.

 

Based on my own driving experience on the RT-615's in the rain, I'll pass .

 

hmmm...maybe I'm not pushing hard enough...

 

I found them floaty, lacking in brake feel, and easily hydroplanable. They're definitely not designed for use in heavy rain (Neither are the RS-2's). That being said as long as any tire has decent tread you're not going to be hydroplaning across the freeway. The RS-2's do handle rain better though (2 giant circumferential grooves, with 2 secondary grooves along the outer treadblocks).

 

true . . . but good value and high wet rating (in class) . . . and the thread was originally about rubbing . . . each tire although 215/45/17 depending on manufacturer can different in width so thought I'd mention the manufacturer and my experience . . .

 

I got the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs in mid April, drove the Dragon a week ago including a spirited run on HellBender (NC28) from Fontana dam to Bryson City in the rain. Excellent handling, no problems in the wet.