Tire Size for 17" Volans....

[OJ's DNA]

I know the tire that most people run are the size the car came with which is a 205/45/17 - has anyone run a 215 on this rim? And if so how does it look? I don't think it is much difference but need some opinions before I buy, the 205 size is okay but I wouldn't mind a bit more "meat" on the wheel.

[JRL]

215s (45/17) EASILY fit with no problems
I'm considering 225/45 /17s on my 99T5 but in some cars they hit, some don't

[Kash]

What JRL said. I've had 215/45s on my Volans for almost 1.5 years. No problems what so ever.

[billr99]

I'm running 215/40s, but they are a "tall" 40 and have not been a problem. I do keep a close watch for potholes though.

Cheers,

[OJ's DNA]

My car is a bit lower (H&R springs) and its not so much that I think there will be any "fitment" issues, ie rubbing, its about the looks of the tire. For example the standard 205/45/17 looks fine upfront and is actually right to the edge of the fender well - so I'm afraid the 215 might "stick-out" a little. I guess I shouldn't worry if people are running the Pegasus rim at 8 inches wide and it doesn't appear to stick out from the wheel well I don't guess a 215/45/17 on a 7 inch rim will either.

Do any of you that responded have a lowered vehicle?

[Kash]

I did have the H&R springs with the 215/45s. There was no rubbing.

[JRL]

Quote, originally posted by Kash »

I did have the H&R springs with the 215/45s. There was no rubbing.

So did I. it also was lowered, no problems at all with 215/45 and they were Conti Extremes, a "wide" tire
JRL

[beachnut]

I'm running 215/54/17 Michelin Pilot Sport's on my Titans (basically the same wheel) with H&R springs and Bilsteins. Although I've never heard or felt rubbing, there is evidence of ever so light rubbing on my inside wheel well liners in the front, probably on full turn lock.

[javadoc]

Heck, I'm running 224/45-17 Falkens on my Pegasus' and they don't rub. Okay... they DO rub, but only when I turn full lock left, and at that only barely. I have some very minor scuffing on the inner fender liner from it. Then there's the rubbing in the rear when I pull into the office parking lot (steep approach, at an angle). 99% of the time, they don't rub. I think 215s would be just fine.

I did have Eibachs on the car w/my Bilstein HDs, but now I'm just running 'r springs' w/the HDs.

[OJ's DNA]

Nice feedback, I guess I'll pick up the 215's on Monday then. While we are on the subject, as I noted earlier my front wheel is flush with the wheel well, the rear however looks to be a full 1 to 2 inches deep inside the wheel well, has anyone run a bigger tire on the back than the front? I don't think you could really tell the difference but my point is that a bigger tire would "fill-up" all that space the rear wheel appears to have.

[JRL]

Would look good, but would NOT work well on a FWD car
JRL

[OJ's DNA]

why do you say that?

[billr99]

Quote, originally posted by OJ’s DNA »

why do you say that?

The use of a tire with a larger contact area on the rear will induce a tendency for more understeer or less oversteer. The use of such a tire on the front would do the exact opposite. Now, since the 850 understeers in its stock or slightly modified (short springs, upgraded non-adjustable shocks) configuration, what you are suggesting would merely make a bad situation worse.

Now with all this said I asked IPD once about the affects of using a 5-10mm spacer on the back to acheive the appearance that you are after. Scott responded that one of the guys at IPD uses a rear spacer and autocrosses an 850; and found no signficant increase in understeer as a result. So if you take that all as fact (because a wider track at the rear should also induce more understeer in theory), a set of spacers in the rear might be a better setup to use. I also think in the case of using reasonable sized spacers in the rear, you could probably balance the car using air pressures and get something usable; all the while, making it look closer to "normal".

Cheers,

[OJ's DNA]

Thanks for the idea of a spacer in the rear - that would help me get the effect I'm looking for.

[Meek]

Keep in mind the small but significant speedo error that you will have. The guy I bought my R from did the no-no and got 205/55/16 instead of 205/50/16's and I have a good 5% error on the pessimistic side (going faster than the speedo says)(Yes, I know there is typically speedo error anyway). I thought I was going 65 officer ....

If you are mathematically impaired like most people in the world, go to Miata.net and they have a tire/wheel size calculator there.

PS .99 cents is not 99 cents nor $0.99!!!!! .99 cents is almost a penny though...It's in every store. Cracker Barrel yesterday, any food store etc...