S4 Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 I'm looking at getting a set of Azenis RT-615s on my stock wheels for spirited daily driving, plus autocrossing. I know (or think at least) most people are running 225/45/17, but would there be any advantage to going with 215/40/17? Would they even fit correctly, and would they be barable in daily driving? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Track Rebel Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 Stock size is 215/45/17. Using a tire size calculator, the next plus size should be 245/40/17. I don't think 245's will fit without rubbing, and without atleast a 7.5-8 inch wide wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 25, 2005 Author Share Posted April 25, 2005 That's why I'm looking between those two sizes I mentioned above. I believe both would fit the stock rim. Neither is a 100% perfect replacement fit, but there may be some advantages to the new size. I guess one option is to wait for the RT-615 to come out in the 215/45/17, but who knows how much longer it will be.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03Indigo Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 but would there be any advantage to going with 215/40/17? do you mean 245/40/17 or 215/40/17. the 215/40/17 will be too small for your application. I run that size on my MINI cooper, you would be better off running the larger size at 245, or the 225 is even better for you and your stock rim width. 245 should be on an 8-8.5" rim for best performance. if you want to decrease weight then go with the smaller tire, less rolling wheel weight translates into less power lost in acceleration. So, the slight advantage you might gain in traction will show a loss in acceleration power, and mileage as well. I am sure Keefe will chime in here at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWortham Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 215/45-17's are well-suited to 17x7" wheels (stock size). You could use 225/45-17's for some better grip, but the sidewalls can move around when they're mounted to a 7" wide wheel. If you're wanting tires wider than 215mm the ideal solution would be to get 17x7.5" or 17x8" wheels for better sidewall control / steering response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 25, 2005 Author Share Posted April 25, 2005 do you mean 245/40/17 or 215/40/17. No, I actually mean 215/40/17. I know it's undersized, but I read somewhere that there is a small advantage to doing so, that's why I am asking. The 225s may give a slight grip advantage with the wider contact patch on the stock wheels, so there is an advantage there too... I believe the sizes I mentioned are the two closest sizes that the RT-615s are available in that will fit on our stock 17x7" wheels. If someone can come up with a closer size (that isn't TBA), I'd be interested in knowing about that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWortham Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 Going smaller may have some gearing advantages... but it doesn't look too good. For that reason I like to go wider to get an edge on grip (it looks good and it performs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 25, 2005 Author Share Posted April 25, 2005 Going smaller may have some gearing advantages... but it doesn't look too good. For that reason I like to go wider to get an edge on grip (it looks good and it performs). That's what I'm thinking. The 225/45/17s will probably even make the wheel gap less noticable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03Indigo Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 well, what is your priority, looks or performance. With the smaller 215/40/17, you will have similar lateral traction, but a stiffer side wall, less roll, and lighter weight, but only slightly. For Autocrossing, you may see an advantage to having a smaller tire, quicker acceleration, better cornering, but for a daily driver, not ideal, very rough ride, and risk of damage to rim with smaller profile tires...I run that risk on my MINI all the time...but my car also weighs much less than an LGT. I say, for the best of both worlds, go with the 225/45/17.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWortham Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 I say, for the best of both worlds, go with the 225/45/17.... I haven't tried it. But I'd tend to agree, especially if you have some 7.5" or 8" wide aftermarket wheels to mount onto. Then again I'm always prepared to go with a larger overall diameter before a smaller diameter... you gotta fill those wheel wells if you want it to look good. Plus there's all the other advantages that were mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Track Rebel Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 225/45/17 will result in your speedometer being off by a little bit. At 61 mph, your speedo would read 60 mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 check the load rating for such a smaller sized tire compared to stock. For daily driving, I wouldnt get the 215/40/17. But for autocrossing or track events, that would be different (the surfaces are different and you probably spend less time on them than on a public road). 225/45/17 is the better choice for daily use. Keefe Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 25, 2005 Author Share Posted April 25, 2005 225/45/17 will result in your speedometer being off by a little bit. At 61 mph, your speedo would read 60 mph. Yup, 1.4% too slow. I'm willing to live with that. Even in the triple digits, I'd only be off by a couple miles an hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03Indigo Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 check the load rating for such a smaller sized tire compared to stock. For daily driving, I wouldnt get the 215/40/17. But for autocrossing or track events, that would be different (the surfaces are different and you probably spend less time on them than on a public road). 225/45/17 is the better choice for daily use. Keefe I knew he would chime in eventually. Thanks Keefe, confirmed what I was thinking all alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 Just check overall diameter. 225/45/17 is probably the way to go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 I just ordered the 225/45/17s. Btw, DiscountTire didn't know they could get their tires heatcycled....sheesh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul_Good Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 So 225/45/17 is ok on the stock 17x7 inch rim? Eventually i wanna get a 17x7.5 or 17.8 rim. I just want to be sure if 225/45/17 is ok for now tho. thanx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 It appears that way. Again, the speedo will be off slightly, but it shouldn't pose any large problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 I just ordered the 225/45/17s. Btw, DiscountTire didn't know they could get their tires heatcycled....sheesh. You don't need to heatcycle 'em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 But, all the hype says I do! I'm scared that if I don't, my tires will explode! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 But, all the hype says I do! I'm scared that if I don't, my tires will explode! Mine haven't yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 27, 2005 Author Share Posted April 27, 2005 So, anyone else care to chime in? Heat-cycling non-R compounds: any value? If nothing else this will be a good experiment. I've heard that it will prevent them from becoming hard when the tread gets lower, so they'll have a bit longer useful life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 NO damnit. What? You don't trust me? They already last long as it is.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4 Posted April 28, 2005 Author Share Posted April 28, 2005 Awe man, I'm looking for just SOMETHING to justify the $15/wheel I spent. How about the fact that they've been tested at operating temperature and they didn't combust. They has to have /some/ value. Damnit, I'm such a n00b sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Monkey Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 Awe man, I'm looking for just SOMETHING to justify the $15/wheel I spent. How about the fact that they've been tested at operating temperature and they didn't combust. They has to have /some/ value. Damnit, I'm such a n00b sometimes. You could've just driven them for a while, heated them up, and let them sit and cool for a while... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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