Does profile 45 and 50 really make a difference?

[Kelpie]

1. Hi guys, need some helps and advice here. Thank you very much.

 

2. Already decided on a set of light weight rims 17 x 7, which is about 6.8Kg each. Now need a matching 205/50R17 without causing too much discrepancy when upsize from stock wheel of 205/55R16. Ideally discrepancy should be restricted to +/- 2 points.

 

3. Reason for trying to stick to 50 because I wanted some balance between comfort and performance. By increasing the width beyond 205, the discrepancy would exceed the +/- 2 points. I also encountered the following issues when go tyre shopping:

 

a) Shops advised that 205 width seems rather thin on a 17 x 7 rims.

b) 50 profile very limited choices for 17" range in term of tyre brand and model.

 

4. It looks like I've no much choice but to go for 225/45R17. Would a 45 really compromise comfort? or comfort is really dependent on the compound used and tread design of the tyre?

 

Regards,

[Silver_blade]

I think you will have too see if using 50 instead of 45 will hit your car;s suspension or fender. Otherwise should be ok.

 

205 for 7J seems alright. Anything wider you will have to go for 7.5J.

 

Larger rim with lower profile tyres will definitely affect the ride comfort, no question about it. So it's really a choice of looks good but less comfortable or looks ok and more comfortable. Tyre design and compound used will make a diff...but it would be too drastic.

Edited January 25, 2008 by Silver_blade

[Kelpie]

1. I was told 225/45R17 needs at least 7J to clear. The rims that I've ordered are 17 x 7J.

 

2. I'm not for look..the problem here is not many choices of 50 profile on 17" range. Some have to be specially indent. It seems like 205/50R17 is an odd ball out there.

 

Regards,

[Robertoon]

Hankook do comes in 205/50R17 for Ventus sport and Ventus Prime

[Matchbox8]

Just to add, 205/50/17 is available with either Bridgestone RE001, Falken 452, Yoko Advan Sport, Yoko AD07, Yoko C-drive

(Not advocating any preference here)

[Akula]

After such a long search till have not found what you wanted? 205mm tires ideally shld be 6.5J width, thou 7J also able. Width of rim shld be btn 75% to 90% of tire width. 225 tires more suited for 7J, 7.5J.

205 x 50% = 102.5 /// 225 x 45% = 101.25 hardly any difference what. Same tire brand and model dun think can feel the diff in comfort. 225/45R17 is closer to the original 205/55R16 size than 205/50R17. Though weirdly, most some tire shops will whip out a chart to show Civic upgrade shld be 215/45R17.

[Kelpie]

After such a long search till have not found what you wanted? 205mm tires ideally shld be 6.5J width, thou 7J also able. Width of rim shld be btn 75% to 90% of tire width. 225 tires more suited for 7J, 7.5J.

205 x 50% = 102.5 /// 225 x 45% = 101.25 hardly any difference what. Same tire brand and model dun think can feel the diff in comfort. 225/45R17 is closer to the original 205/55R16 size than 205/50R17. Though weirdly, most some tire shops will whip out a chart to show Civic upgrade shld be 215/45R17.

 

1. That is the thing. 7J is more suited for 215 or 225. In fact, 225 needs a minimum of 7J to fit. Since I've ordered a 17 x 7J, the previous intention of getting 205/R5017 may not be suitable. Anyway, what could be the downside of having a 205/50R17 on a 17 x 7J rim? DO you know?

 

2. Actually based on the European Tire and Rim Organization Standard, without losing steering precision and centering, the overall tire diameter should not defer by +1.5% or -2.0%, MAX allowable variance is +/- 12mm, recommended one is +/-6mm.

 

3. You are right that 225/45R17 is a better fit than 215/45R17, as the variance is +0.4% versus -1.0% respectively. However, 215/45R17 is still within the acceptable variance though not as precise as a 225/45R17. Another reason for going for a smaller 215 is because, based on theory, a broader surface is more prone to aquaplanning and less precise in cornering using the same brand and model of a set of tyres.

 

Regards,

[Kelpie]

1. I realized that the new Impreza WRX is using 17 x 7J with 205/50R17 Yokohama A10 Tyes (Not sold to open market).

 

2. This is the kind of spec that I'm looking at. Any WRX fans or someone can feedback the combination of using 17x 7J with a 205/50R17? Good? Solid?

 

Regards,