What size is safe?!

I didn't see this in the FAQ section, which I would expect it to be, but nevertheless here it is...

With stock suspension... what size wheel/tire combo will fit our 3rd gens without rubbing or anything?
I can get a great deal on 215/50R17 & 205/60R15 & 215/45R17 & 205/50R16

I went from out 13" to 15" rims, but they are now my winter wheels since they are all scuffed up. And those 17's I'm looking at are amazing, but I want to know the implications of 17's on stock suspension?

Thanks in advance! :D

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Originally posted by CoAsTeR
I didn't see this in the FAQ section, which I would expect it to be, but nevertheless here it is...

With stock suspension... what size wheel/tire combo will fit our 3rd gens without rubbing or anything?
I can get a great deal on 215/50R17 & 205/60R15 & 215/45R17 & 205/50R16

I went from out 13" to 15" rims, but they are now my winter wheels since they are all scuffed up. And those 17's I'm looking at are amazing, but I want to know the implications of 17's on stock suspension?

Thanks in advance! :D

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All the sizes you can get a deal on are wrong for what you want.

205/40-17 and a 40mm offset is the proper plus size and will never ever rub, even if the suspension should ever travel all the way down to the bump stop, even for just a brief moment. If you wanted wider rubber you should be able to run 215/40-17 AND 45mm offset. Keep in mind that the 215/40-17 is a taller tire than oem and it will slow your car down a bit.

215/50R17 & 205/60R15 & 215/45R17 are all way to tall and will really slow down your car and screw up your speedometer. And keep in mind that it is not only width that brings a tire closer to rubbing on the rear fender lips. The taller a tire is than oem, the closer it mover towards the fender lip as well.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE! DO NOT PURCHASE RIMS BELOW 40MM OFFSET! 42mm, 43mm or 45mm are all ok, the higher offset are required for any 215mm tire if you want a hope to not roll fenders

For 15" run 195/55-15 or 205/50-15
For 16" run 195/50-16 or 205/45-16 (or 215/40-15 with 45mm offset)
For 17" run 205/40-17 (or 215/40-17 with 45mm offset)

If your mind is telling you to defy logic and go with a taller 17" tire that should tell you, you need to move to 16" if your wanting more tire between the road and rim.

On the question of the implications of 17's on stock suspension?
17" is the ONLY size that I see members complain about for being to stiff. I think it's logical to say, what ever differance in ride you noticed when you went from 13" to 15", would be doubled again.
Also sharper bumps would put a much greater challenge on your suspension, especially if your struts aren't in the greatest shape. Having rims that are heavier than stock (16-18lbs will also effect ride quality btw).

I think without a doubt 17" do look the best, but I wasn't willing to take a performance hit and my roads are REALLY bad, I wasn't willing to risk hating them, so I stuck with my 15's. If I had extra money I would have gone with 16"

here ya go


...for 15's
205/50/15 or an optional size is 195/55/15

...for 16's
205/45/15.... that's the only size i'd run with 16's
I guess you could, although you should not run 205/40/16

...for 17's
the only size (arguably) that you can run is 205/40/17. Not to mention that, but you should not go with any 17's with less then a 40mm. offset otherwise you'll run into rubbing issues.

...now these sizes really become crutial, and need to be adhered to when you begin to invole lowering springs into the equation.

...How'd I do Jim?

dammit, you beat me to it....

i ran 215/45/17's and they arent WAY TOO TALL... they are .5 inches bigger than 215/40/17's. i ran no probs with a 2 inch lowered and on sagging stock. they never rubbed.

Travis

i ran 215/45/17's and they arent WAY TOO TALL... they are .5 inches bigger than 215/40/17's. i ran no probs with a 2 inch lowered and on sagging stock. they never rubbed.

EDIT: i know they arent the right size... but they are the closest and if this guy can get a great deal on they then i would say go for it... i know Jim is gonna yell at me... but i have them and i have no probs... and i also like how there is a bit of sidewall when using these tires...

Travis

wow, I'm glad I checked with you first hahahaha... well the closest match I can get is something like this, what do you recommend...

195/50R15
205/45R16
205/50R16

205/45R16 is what I'd recommend. 1: It's one of the speedometer-correct sizes. 2: The 16" wheel shouldn't give too stiff a ride, but the sidewall will be small enough that you'll still get good response.

Quote:

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Originally posted by DXHATCHBACK
i ran 215/45/17's and they arent WAY TOO TALL... they are .5 inches bigger than 215/40/17's. i ran no probs with a 2 inch lowered and on sagging stock. they never rubbed.

Travis

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215/45-17 are way to tall. They are not just .5" taller. They are 1.4"taller. Do the math, that's a 6.1% increase, that's a mighty big increase.

You've replied in a thread where a member specifically spelled out a desire for not wanting problems, "what size is safe. You have replied in a way that is spreading misinformation and goes compleatly againt the wishes of the person asking for information. Not just in terms of rolling diameter. He does not want to rub, yet you make no mention of the fact that you rolled your rear fenders. And you make no mention of a offset requirement. You should have said, "I got 215/45-17 to work, but I have 42mm offset and I had to roll my rear fenders".

Now the problem I have with your comment about not rubbing is jigga225 is running 215/40-17 which is a shorter tire and because it's shorter than your 45series tires his are FURTHER away from the fender lips. He says he rubs and he has the same 42mm offset like you do, yet his tires aren't as close to the fenders as your size is. And he rolled his fenders to btw.

Quote:

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Originally posted by CoAsTeR
wow, I'm glad I checked with you first hahahaha... well the closest match I can get is something like this, what do you recommend...

195/50R15
205/45R16
205/50R16

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205/45-16 Plus you I'd think you'll have a easier time finding a good tire with the size as well.