Tyre sizes...

[Rom]

Hi all,

I'm about to change my tires, but was wondering, out of interest, if anyone had tried changing the OEM 205/50-17 (front) tyre to a different size (e.g. 225/45-17)? The alloy is a 7Jx17 size alloy which should take both sizes fine (although can this be confirmed - some OEM wheels cannot take the additional width), and it results in only a 0.2MPH difference at 60MPH, but I'm interested in knowing handling effects? Also, would the 225 width rub against the arch? That could be solved by spacers, which may (if only very slightly) have a side-effect of improving handling by giving the car a slightly wider track. Of course, spacers would add additional stress to the suspension components by adding extra leverage, but I've used spacers in the past (on an Audi TT) and not had any problems.

The profile doesn't really change, but the width of the tyre is greater (by 20mm) thus putting more rubber on the ground. Should keep the front planted a bit more, minimising any potential understeer. There are, of course, some trade-offs i.e. slightly heavier steering and maybe a little more NVH, but does the handling actually suffer at all?

Also, it seems that 225/45ZR17 is a more common size than 205/50ZR17.

Comments are appreciated!

Thanks!

Shash

Okay, a bit late, but I have found a few other posts concerning this, and it seems that it's fairly common practice!

Still, any comments are still appreciated!

Thanks!

Shash

[TriGem2k]

Hi all,

I'm about to change my tires, but was wondering, out of interest, if anyone had tried changing the OEM 205/50-17 (front) tyre to a different size (e.g. 225/45-17)? The alloy is a 7Jx17 size alloy which should take both sizes fine (although can this be confirmed - some OEM wheels cannot take the additional width), and it results in only a 0.2MPH difference at 60MPH, but I'm interested in knowing handling effects? Also, would the 225 width rub against the arch? That could be solved by spacers, which may (if only very slightly) have a side-effect of improving handling by giving the car a slightly wider track. Of course, spacers would add additional stress to the suspension components by adding extra leverage, but I've used spacers in the past (on an Audi TT) and not had any problems.

The profile doesn't really change, but the width of the tyre is greater (by 20mm) thus putting more rubber on the ground. Should keep the front planted a bit more, minimising any potential understeer. There are, of course, some trade-offs i.e. slightly heavier steering and maybe a little more NVH, but does the handling actually suffer at all?

Also, it seems that 225/45ZR17 is a more common size than 205/50ZR17.

Comments are appreciated!

Thanks!

Shash

Okay, a bit late, but I have found a few other posts concerning this, and it seems that it's fairly common practice!

Still, any comments are still appreciated!

Thanks!

Shash

Should be fine, I ran a 225/45/17 on my factory 17X7 for about 2 years

[blackboxster]

I purchased my 2000 2.7 used with 225/45 17's on front on factory wheels, after a 1500 mile trip home found out this was not factory recommended tire size but still have them on now. I have no rubbing problems even at autoxing, just roadwalking on rough rutted highways, though this might be common with the recommended front tire size also I don't know. Please respond back if your tires do that now so I will know next time to go down to the 205/50 17. I went from 225/45 17 to 205/50 17 on my wife's honda and noticed a world of diffrence that was better.

[Rom]

I got the 225/45ZR17's, and I have noticed a little more tramlining, but the front-end grip is a lot better. I still need have the geometry re-aligned cuz I believe it's out, but so far I think the 225's are fine.

The 225's will definitely reduce any potential understeer - going around a corner now feels a lot stronger... Unfortunately you can definitely feel the crappy US road surface more now :/

Hopefully track performance on some nice and smooth tarmac will be great :)

Thanks!

Shash