205/45/17 vs 215/45/17
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Kettering, OH
40 vs 45 will not impact how the tires fit on the rim. This number represents the height of the sidewall as a ratio to the width of the tread. So basically, the 45 is a taller tire than the 40 when both start from the same width (i.e 215)
FWIW, conventional wisdom is that a narrow tire and taller sidewall combination is better for snow. In the past, I used Blizzak LM-22s which were outstanding in snow. They are considered a high performance snow tire, but really not so great on street due to the softer compound used.
Tirerack is a great resource, as you can get real customer feedback and surveys.
FWIW, conventional wisdom is that a narrow tire and taller sidewall combination is better for snow. In the past, I used Blizzak LM-22s which were outstanding in snow. They are considered a high performance snow tire, but really not so great on street due to the softer compound used.
Tirerack is a great resource, as you can get real customer feedback and surveys.
Awesome! Thanks so much!
I have run 205/40 17, 205/45 17, 215/45 17 and 225/45 17 tires on the car so far. My fab is 215/45 17 as the car is less buzzy on the highway and a little more comfy as well. All four tire sizes do not have rubbing issues on an unlowered r56 MCS. The turbo has enough power to overcome the slight increase in diameter of the tire.
The one I dislike the most is 205/40. Just more harsh and buzzy that I like it with my racing suspension and setup.
The one I dislike the most is 205/40. Just more harsh and buzzy that I like it with my racing suspension and setup.
Last edited by rjtrout2000; Jul 9, 2011 at 08:49 AM.
Here in the UK I went from ContiSport 3 SSR runflats in 205/45/17 on standard Crown Spokes to 215/45/17 ContiSport 3 non runflats on OZ Ultraleggera wheels.
Prefer 215 size but they do seem to kick up more dirt than the 205 size.
Prefer 215 size but they do seem to kick up more dirt than the 205 size.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
Replace 205/45R17 with 215/45 17 on lowered clubbie?
Time to replace my tires (as I waited too long after lowering the car to get new control arms, and now the rear tread is nearly bald).
From this thread I learned that I could replace the original 205/45R17 runflats with 215/45 17 tires if the car was not lowered, but I'm wondering if I can still do so if the car is 1-inch lower.
Anyone tried such a swap?
From this thread I learned that I could replace the original 205/45R17 runflats with 215/45 17 tires if the car was not lowered, but I'm wondering if I can still do so if the car is 1-inch lower.
Anyone tried such a swap?
Time to replace my tires (as I waited too long after lowering the car to get new control arms, and now the rear tread is nearly bald).
From this thread I learned that I could replace the original 205/45R17 runflats with 215/45 17 tires if the car was not lowered, but I'm wondering if I can still do so if the car is 1-inch lower.
Anyone tried such a swap?
From this thread I learned that I could replace the original 205/45R17 runflats with 215/45 17 tires if the car was not lowered, but I'm wondering if I can still do so if the car is 1-inch lower.
Anyone tried such a swap?
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, Florida
I have run 205/40 17, 205/45 17, 215/45 17 and 225/45 17 tires on the car so far. My fab is 215/45 17 as the car is less buzzy on the highway and a little more comfy as well. All four tire sizes do not have rubbing issues on an unlowered r56 MCS. The turbo has enough power to overcome the slight increase in diameter of the tire.
The one I dislike the most is 205/40. Just more harsh and buzzy that I like it with my racing suspension and setup.
The one I dislike the most is 205/40. Just more harsh and buzzy that I like it with my racing suspension and setup.
Thanks AXO
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore MD Area
Govtslug, I just lifted your comments because they are exactly the same. I got Firestone Indy 500s in the 215s size from TireRack.com and my Edge CS adjusted itself a whole 1 MPH after I input the values and chose "perform correction". In other words, real world, no difference. They looride, and handle worlds better than the "LackOfContact" Conti run-flat junk that I took off in 16" size.
I just switched from the stock 195/55/16's to 215/45/17. They fit fine and look a little beefier than stock. As far as the speedo, it barely had any effect on my '08 S Clubman. With the 16" tires, when the speedo said I was doing 60, I was actually going about 56 or 57. With the 17" tires it's closer to 57, maybe 58.
I just switched from the stock 195/55/16's to 215/45/17. They fit fine and look a little beefier than stock. As far as the speedo, it barely had any effect on my '08 S Clubman. With the 16" tires, when the speedo said I was doing 60, I was actually going about 56 or 57. With the 17" tires it's closer to 57, maybe 58.
All said, I think 225 is fairly useable overall.
I generally run Dunlop Z1 Star Spec for summer and Conti Extreme Contact DWS all seasons for winter, both in the 215/45 17 size. Dunlops can be a bit noisy but they are great performance for dry and wet, especially wet. DWS all seasons can be a little vague in turn in but really quiet and comfortable but add a little psi (to 39 or so) and they are great.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore MD Area
For the most part thats prob true, just be careful about turn radius and clearances changing when you travel over larger bumps, especially with some load in the tail end. You dont want to shave a tire on the fender edge or any suspension components. My 17"s fill out the wheel wells excellently, I have had people ask me how much I lowered the car and they are surprised when I tell them its stock ride height.
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