My car is stock and stock size is 205/50/16.

I need some new wheels / tires but can't decide on what size. My choices are:

205/45/17 - 0.7% faster speed, 0.7% taller diameter
Hankook K104

205/40/17 - 2.7% slower actual speed, 2.6% shorter diameter
Nexen N3000

I think I'll be happy w/ either tire, but I'm not sure about the sizes. Is there a significant difference between them or would either one be ok?

The reason I'm asking is because the 205/40/17 is $50 cheaper and comes with a nicer wheel, but it's a bigger size difference than the other. I just don't know how big a deal it is. Help?

 

it is really up to you, whether it's a big deal or not. with the 40's your speedo will show you appx 1.62 mph faster than your actual speed is, at 60 MPH. the 45's wil make your speedo register about .42 mph slower than your actual speed. so not too big difference.. shorter gearing (by shorter tires) helps acceleration slightly.

 

that speedo part's not a big deal to me. I was wondering more about the drivability, but it sounds like that won't be too big of a deal either

 

Well all other things being equal 205-45 will be a slightly more comfortable ride than 205-40. Also, Nexen 3000's are ok all around tires but can be difficult to balance for some reasona and some people have vibration problems as a result.

 

Another thing to consider, with the 40 series tire you will bend the wheels hitting potholes.

 

You're buying a 17" wheel and using a 205 width tire? What a waste. Buy the widest tire that will fit the width of the wheel, and choose a profile that will allow you to retain stock rolling diameter.

 

215/40/17 should work fine

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheJGB3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Another thing to consider, with the 40 series tire you will bend the wheels hitting potholes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

just dont hit pot holes.. you're suppose to avoid them anyways

i ride daily on 245/30/20s on my TL everyday, i doubt i will see a bent rim, if i dont drive like an idiot


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheLudeMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">215/40/17 should work fine</TD></TR></TABLE>



those are the tire size im running now on my new 17's 215/40/r17 Toyo T1r's

 

Regarding going for the widest tire the rims will allow - How come?

Just read the Tire FAQ. Wow, lots of good info there. It suggested I keep the tire diameter to within 1%, so I probably won't go for 205/40/17 but I'll miss those wheels

I also got 215/40/17 as an option with Falken 512s.

It'll be for spring / summer / early fall driving with rain in my area, so my first choice in tires are the hankooks.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Learning a lot, but narrowing down so many choices is blah!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by max_woe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Regarding going for the widest tire the rims will allow - How come?

Just read the Tire FAQ. Wow, lots of good info there. It suggested I keep the tire diameter to within 1%, so I probably won't go for 205/40/17 but I'll miss those wheels

I also got 215/40/17 as an option with Falken 512s.

It'll be for spring / summer / early fall driving with rain in my area, so my first choice in tires are the hankooks.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Learning a lot, but narrowing down so many choices is blah!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

he suggested them for best traction and handling

have you tried http://www.powerdog.com ? it has a tire calculator on there for you to see the % difference between tires

 

Yup, I like this tire calculator.. it's got the whole diagram of wheel and tire:

http://www.bigcustomwheels.com/rt_specs.jsp

BTW, anyone know anything about the Nankang NSI tire?

 

yeah i like that wheel calc too

never used either tire u wanted

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by max_woe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Regarding going for the widest tire the rims will allow - How come?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wider contact patch- better handling and grip. What's the width of your wheels?

 

I'm looking at 17x7. Offset either 38 or 42.


Modified by max_woe at 10:47 AM 3/31/2008

 

I'd go for a 225. What tires are you looking at?

 

something cheap LOL..

Nankang NSI
Nexen N3000
Falken ze-512
Hankook K104 (this in 205/45/17)

 

In that case, you'd be better of keeping your stock wheels and staying with 205/50-16. Get a good tire regardless of what you do. The best budget summer tire is probably the Kumho SPT. If you're going to spend money don't half it or spend money for the sake of doing so.

 

I need new wheels in any case because I'm using the stock ones for my winters.

One reason I'm looking at 17s is because there's more selection and they're sometimes a better deal than 16s.

But that's true, I should concentrate more on getting a good tire..

 

What wheels are you looking at? If you want a good budget wheel, look at Rota. And honestly, I'd look for used Rota's. You can really score some great deals just searching on honda-tech. Tire quality is the most important part of the performance.

What's your total budget? Maybe I can lend you some direction.

 

I can find online deals for pretty decent wheels for $95ea mounted and delivered if I buy tires from same place. If I were to mount locally, it would cost about $100. So with all the hassle, I prefer to get it all from one place.

Haha, my budget.. I prefer to spend $700 or less so that leaves $300 for tires which is doable if you look for sales. My standards aren't that high.. just looking for fun in the city (at slower speeds) in the summer and wet fall.

hankook k104 or those kumho's are ideal, maybe falkens. Those nankang's and nexens are so cheap and tempting, though..

There's a few sales on now, but hopefully more as we get into the summer.. I know for the winter, there were a few.