215/45/17 or 205/40/17 tires for 17" rims ??
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From: Anaheim Hills, California
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Some companies make 205/45 tires. I'd prefer the 45 over 40 tires because the ride is actually alot softer. I've had experience on both and I want the look, but I don't want to lose too much comfort. Plus with the bigger tires, you'll have less of a fender gap, which means you don't have to lower the car as much. Which will prevent less scraping of your car, kits, and exhaust systems. The lowered car will already take out enough comfort out of your ride, so the tires will help out the comfort aspect a little. Another thing I noticed was the power loss after installing 17s on my ride. It's prolly cuz of the weight of Tenzos, but I also think tire friction has something to do with it. 205 are alot of grip for our cars enough, and have less contact to the ground then 215's. After installing the wheels, I have lost gas mileage and a little power, but I think the looks I get from them are worth it. But unless you drive really hard on turns, stick with the 215s so you'll stick to the ground. Well, that's it for me.
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From: Greenville, South Carolina, US
Rep Power: 0 I had Nankang 205/40/17's for about 6 months and just bought a set of Yokahama Parada's in 215/40/17. I like the 215/40 better cause they are a little bigger and help fill in my wheel gap. They dont look too big either. Go with the 215/40/17's
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From: Aurora, Illinois, US
Rep Power: 0 yo i have 205/40/17's on my car and it isnt a hard ride at all...i cant even really tell the difference between my stock tires and my 17's the cushion is the same IMO....[IMG]i/expressions/moon.gif[/IMG]
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From: Dallas, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0 Both are great sizes......but ask yourself, do you hit holes and a lot of rough bumps in the road where you live.....
if you do, then the 215/45 will protect your wheel a little better and they still look nice as hell.
I myself, when I finally get off my *** and get some 17's, I'm gonna get the 215/45-17, because there are
a lot of rough roads around here, and the last thing I wanna do is blow my tire on a pothole and be extremely pissed.
But overall, it is a personal preference. Just food for thought, the new BMW's and Lexus's I believe come standard
with a 215/45 or a 225/45...but they roll on 45 series tires, they are a tad bit softer and can take more of a blow
than the 40 series.
if you do, then the 215/45 will protect your wheel a little better and they still look nice as hell.
I myself, when I finally get off my *** and get some 17's, I'm gonna get the 215/45-17, because there are
a lot of rough roads around here, and the last thing I wanna do is blow my tire on a pothole and be extremely pissed.
But overall, it is a personal preference. Just food for thought, the new BMW's and Lexus's I believe come standard
with a 215/45 or a 225/45...but they roll on 45 series tires, they are a tad bit softer and can take more of a blow
than the 40 series.
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From: , Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 0 i have 205/40/17's.. and they're really good, i dont notice any roughness in my drive... and u should always avoid pot holes and bumps anyways [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
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From: Dallas, Texas, US
Rep Power: 0 I agree about avoiding them, but it's the ones you don't see, that do the most damage.... : )
I would definitely get the 215/40's, but there are so many roads around here that are fuqed up !!
I would definitely get the 215/40's, but there are so many roads around here that are fuqed up !!
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From: Seattle, Washington, US
Rep Power: 0 Go with 215/45s. I didnt see anything mentioned about protecting the rims, but that "extra cushion" that everybody is talking about also means......
there is more rubber between that pothole and your rim......
there is more rubber between that pothole and your rim......
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From: Moorpark, California, US
Rep Power: 0 Well.....I think I have made up my mind and will probably go with 215/40/17. There's not too many potholes/hazards down where I live so i think my wheels/rims will be safe for the most part. I'm gonna pick up my rims and tires this weekened, but dont have the $$ for new springs....
I was wondering how bad my car will look, ahead of time, with my 215/40/17 and 17X7 tenzo R Rs5's w/ stock springs........
If my car is gonna look like a boat however...lemme know ahead of time so I can save my $$ and just buy tires/rims/and an eibach prokit when i have the money.
Thx for all the info guys!
I was wondering how bad my car will look, ahead of time, with my 215/40/17 and 17X7 tenzo R Rs5's w/ stock springs........
If my car is gonna look like a boat however...lemme know ahead of time so I can save my $$ and just buy tires/rims/and an eibach prokit when i have the money.
Thx for all the info guys!
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From: Anaheim Hills, California
Rep Power: 0 Ya wondering how weird it's gonna look without the drop first. Well, you can fist your hand in there if you have 17s without a drop. Yeah, I have to go with most of you guys on teh lower profile tires looking better though, but very unnoticeable. Oh, and figure out when your dropping ya ride. If you drop it anytime soon, then I guess stick with the 215/40s, but if your not dropping for awhile, stick with the 215/45 and you won't be mad at your car everyday looking at the huge as fender gap...haha.
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From: Moorpark, California, US
Rep Power: 0 alright....well hopefully i'll have enough money by this sat to install some eibach pro kit springs....but i was wondering......Sometime in the future I would like to put on a Kaminari 4pc body kit and was wondering if any of you guys know if i'll have any clearence space from the ground to my kit with eibach prokit springs.???I dont wanna be leaving a trail of sparks as drive away.
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From: Mt Laurel, New Jersey, US
Rep Power: 0 One thing you may want to consider if you haven't already made you decision is the speed difference. Go to the tire calculator. A 40/17 spins faster than a 45/17 therefore throwing your speedometer off more and putting more miles than are actually being traveled. Check the tire calculator at the top of the page. I noticed a pretty big difference in ride quality so I would imagine the 40's would be even more dramatic. Either way, whatever you do, it'll look best if you drop it too. I havent with mine yet but it needs it. Not sure if I'm going to yet though because to do it the right way costs $$$-not sure if I wanna keep putting into my baby or pay her off and get my s2000.
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From: Moorpark, California, US
Rep Power: 0 well....i just got my wheels and tires today and finally decided to get 215/40/17. The decision was tough.....but after reading everyone's assessments, I decided to go with less rubber. I cant wait to get them installed tomorrow along with some sportlines on tues.
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From: Monterey Park, California, US
Rep Power: 0 i have 205/40/17, the ride is a bit rough but looks good because the tire is thinner...and even if you get bigger rubbers to cover the gap it won't look as good as thinner tires dropped with a little gap
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From: Moorpark, California, US
Rep Power: 0 I ended up getting 17" Tenzo R RS5's in silver along with Capitol Negotiators 215/40/17 and spent $840 for the setup. I"m getting them installed as we speak. HOpefully by tues i'll get my sportline kit in so i can get rid of those fatty gaps.
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From: Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Rep Power: 0 To THOSE WITH 215/45/17 do you notice any rubbing when you turn? I still kinda stuck about getting 45 or 40.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]
