I'm buying 17" wheels, will a 205/45/17 with a 17x7.5 rim, offset 42mm, fit on a 2000 civic ex coupe without any mods or rubbing? Or do I have to use a 205/40/17? Is the 40 series a really rough ride? How much of a better ride with the 45 series? Thanks for any help.

Tim

 

Can anyone help?

 

The stock tire size on your EX Coupe is 185/65-14. As far as rubbing goes, you'll have to find someone with the same car, same wheel size, same offset. The 205/40-17 is the better choice than the 45 from the standpoint of preserving the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer, since its outer diameter is almost exactly the same as stock. However, if you're really worried about a rough ride, you would be better off not getting such big wheels (with such short sidewalls)...



Modified by nsxtasy at 9:15 PM 6/30/2005

 

Thanks for the info, I guess with what your saying, it wouldn't make much diff to go with a 16" wheel with a 205/45/16 over the 17"?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by regenhardt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the info, I guess with what your saying, it wouldn't make much diff to go with a 16" wheel with a 205/45/16 over the 17"?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, quite the contrary.

What I meant is this. If I were going to get a 17" wheel, I would get the 205/40-17 tire size, because the outer diameter is the same as stock. (The 205/45-17 is asking for trouble; the outer diameter is bigger than stock, which means it has a greater chance of rubbing, and the speedometer and odometer won't be accurate, and it will hurt acceleration too.)

However, if I were getting 16" wheels, I would get 205/45-16. That size should have better ride quality than the 205/40-17, because the sidewall is taller (calculated at 3.6 inches vs 3.2 inches, not taking deflection by the pavement into account).

I think I said something in my previous post that was misleading (about ride quality), I'll go back and edit it out...

 

Thanks again, I think I will go with the 16's if I can find some that I like. I drive 575 miles a week back and forth to work, and someone told me that I would hate the 17's cause of the rough ride. I guess I won't really know till I try.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by regenhardt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks again, I think I will go with the 16's if I can find some that I like. I drive 575 miles a week back and forth to work, and someone told me that I would hate the 17's cause of the rough ride. I guess I won't really know till I try.

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

Here is an archived article from Grass Roots Motorsports about tire plus sizing. They started on a 98 civic EX w/your size, and went up thru a 17" fitment. They tested lap times, and several drivers reported their subjective evaluations of vehicle ride. I think you'll find it very helpful in making your decision.

http://www.grmotorsports.com/n...r.php

Let me know if this helps!



Matt