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Stiffness?
MPG?
HP Reduction?

Thx.

 
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215 - is a wider tire than the - 205

45 - the side wall is taller than the - 40

 
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I think it is only a matter of preference. Depending on if you want thinner tires or wider tires.
I am not exactly sure how much of difference will this affect your ride, maybe some other more experienced people on this forum can answer that question. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
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well there wont be much difference but i took a calculation i found on some tire co.'s website and figured it out for you


215/45-17---this will be 24.62inches tall, inflated, --tead width of 8.465 inches, and a sidewall of 3.81
inches

205/40-17---this will be 23.457 inches tall, inflated, -- tread width of 8.071 inches, and a sidewall of 3.228 inches

the 205/40-17 will be smaller(also have a bigger wheel well gap), tirerack.com recommends the 215/45-17 as a true plus 2 size(for the ex w/ 185/65-15's factory), it gives the least bit of spedo variation, my spedo, w/ 215/45-17 Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's reads about 2 mph slower that actual speed.

hope it helps. also, if you look at the top of the page at tire cal, you can put in various sizes, and it calculates how much your spedo will be off, this will give you a rough visual of the tires relative size.

 
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oops, i almost forgot, as for ride quality, i cant really tell a diff, steering response is greatly improved, as for handling, i havent tested them as hard as i have the stockers, but from what ive seen, theyre better there too. as for mpg, i havent noticed a diff there either. plus those kumhos loos downright awesome, and there priced decently, mine were about $95 ea., from tirerack.com. hope that helps.

 
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215/45/17 Means the width of the tire is 21 mm wide, and the side wall is 45% of that, and of course it's a 17" tire. So that size tire is going to stand a little bit taller than the 205/40/17 (which is 205mm wide, with a sidewall equal to 40% of the width)

I know, I've spent the last 2 weeks researching tire and wheel packages, and it's been making my head [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

 
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there is also the difference of how much weight each is rated for...the 45 series is rated for our cars...the 40 series is "not recomended" for our cars. our cars are supposably too heavy, but i think you'd be fine either or

 
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Thx, a lot guys. 205/40/17 is what I'm going to get.

 
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i would go with with the 205/40 the smaller tire the bigger your rims look[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

 
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I went with 215/45/17s and with the added width of them, the wheel wells are much fuller looking (even without lowering yet) than I've seen on cars with the 40's. - almost to the point of not bothering to even lower it right away. I suspect though, if you are going to lower more than 2 inches, the 205/40/17s may give you more bump clearance.

 
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I'd go with the 205/40 for the reason that they're lighter (1cm diff for each diff probably comes close to a pound for each tire if not more) and reducing rotating weight is the most important weight to reduce if you want to make your car feel a little peppier when accelerating (saves a little gas too). Another thing is that Civics (ours anyway) don't really need that added bit of traction given our powerplant unless you turn like a madman.