hey guys so i have 16x8+20 Rota Grid offroad wheels i currently have 205/40/16 nexen n3000 in the front to see how it fits. i am getting both front and rear fenders rolled next week i think. but with all four wheels on the tires definitely looked way too small. and i want to track this car next summer hopefully. so i was thinking about getting a 215/45/16 falken azenis. im not too worried about how low my car sits. i just want to avoid all rubbing issues and make sure it handles well. the fitment in the front is tough currently with the 205/40s i have a couple pics that i will post. i do have a front camber kit. and my car is currently unaligned until i get this finished. i needed some advice if these wheels with a 215/45/16 azenis will fit ok and not look stupid. advice please...

 

i want those rims ;[ where did you get em? ;x

 

Dude, rotas ARE FAKE wheels, they Suck.
Just kidding. I run slips and my JDM 16s on my R
depending on the tire, you will actually have a wide tread track with 205/40s than with 215/45s. also, you do get a slightly better gearing ratio by running a 40series over a 45 series. that said, without knowing exact tread width, it would be a difficult question to answer. If you look up the specs of the tires you are considering on tire rack, it specifically lists tread width and sidewall height, and tires in the exact same size can have different tread contact width. example 205/15 bridgestones are 8.1", Kuhmo XS are 7.8".
I think the 40 series does give a rather short sidewall, especially on a 16" rim, but you are losing a considerable amount of extra tread headroomwith the 8" rim. a 7" rim on a 205/50 series tire yields sidewalls which run 90 degrees to the tread.
An 8" rim will pitch the sidewall inwards towards the tread. that would be detrimental to handling, especially on track. Min width I would run on an 8" rim would be a 225, which might fit if you are rolling the fenders. Unfortunatly that is an unpopular size for 16s. If you are going to get a 215/45/16 i would get the XS, better tire, very sticky, same treadwear as an azenis.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes....model=Ecsta+XS
Cheaper too...

 

Advice . . .

 

^ LMAO^^

 

Great advice...

Post up pics of your Type R all polished up Mike.

 

Here she is:

 

I can't load the pics here at work, and I don't know what you think "looks stupid".

-My advice is remove fender liners if you haven't already
-Roll lip in rear arch
-Roll/trim lip in front fender
-215/45-16's will sit about 15mm (~9/16") higher then the 205/40-16's
-Raise the car if you have to, don't try to clear with excessive negative camber (or stiffer spring)

 

You can get 215/45-16 tires, and I agree with SlapSmak, the Kumho XS is better in every way than the Azenis. Tires that size normally don't rub on anything, if your wheels are the proper offset (i.e. the offset that allows the best clearance in the wheel wells).

You can also get 205/45-16 tires, but that size needs to be mounted on wheels 6.5-7.5 inches wide, and shouldn't go on 16x8.

 

well thank you all for the replies i really appreciate it....i guess now my question is if i want a 215/45 or 225/45 i was originally going to get the kumho's because i did hear they were a better tire and as far as the rubbing issues. my wheels pretty much stick out of the fenders with almost -3 deg camber in the front. im just worried about getting something too big but i kno that kumho's sit wide so i think a 215/45/16 ecsta xs would be good...i was also considering the hankook rs-2