tires: 205 or 215

WangMan · Mar 3, 2009, 12:14 PM

I've got some new 17x7.5 Rotas that I'm putting on my car soon as it warms up. A lot of people recommend 215 size tires for 7.5 inch wide rims but I like the stretched look of 205. I wanna run 205/45 17 size tires on these rims. Just wanna make sure nobody thinks that would be a problem

Also, I figured with tires a bit less wide, I'd have less to worry about in terms of rubbing

Any input? Thanks in advance guys

ambystom01 · Mar 3, 2009, 12:30 PM

215s will be a bit of a stretch.

WangMan · Mar 3, 2009, 01:03 PM

I ran 215s on a set of 7 inch wide wheels and the sidewall was straight up, didn't look too good imo. Will the extra half inch make a noticeable difference?

ambystom01 · Mar 3, 2009, 01:11 PM

Depends on the tire but it should.

ThunderOZ · Mar 3, 2009, 01:40 PM

I feel like 205s are stretched on my 17x7 rims now...

Boostedlancer$ · Mar 3, 2009, 06:29 PM

i ran 215/45R17 and they rubbed when i lowered my car i like the 215's but they have to be a 40 series so they dont rub.

Juan Martinez · Mar 3, 2009, 06:43 PM

Read this article, Lancerman's Wheel Offset Guide

I think he ran 205/45 on them. As long as you have the proper offset, you should be able to run 215/40 ot 45 if its not lowered or still at stock height. I wanted to try 225 on mine, but doubt it will work. I'm going with 215 myself and I have seen them, but you do need the right offset.

WangMan · Mar 4, 2009, 02:30 AM

Well my car is lowered, do I have much of a chance of fitting 215's in there? When I tried the wheel on the offset worked pretty damn well with a 5mm spacer: the outside was flush with the fender and the inside was a finger or so away from the suspension... but as well as it sits I'd hate nothing more than to rub. I sold my old 7" wide wheels with 215/45's to someone and he rubbed with his stock suspension

Still haven't decided, any more input is greatly appreciated

edit: and I'm set on 45 sidewall because I'm afraid to drive on the roads here with anything smaller

Juan Martinez · Mar 4, 2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WangMan

Well my car is lowered, do I have much of a chance of fitting 215's in there? When I tried the wheel on the offset worked pretty damn well with a 5mm spacer: the outside was flush with the fender and the inside was a finger or so away from the suspension... but as well as it sits I'd hate nothing more than to rub. I sold my old 7" wide wheels with 215/45's to someone and he rubbed with his stock suspension

Still haven't decided, any more input is greatly appreciated

edit: and I'm set on 45 sidewall because I'm afraid to drive on the roads here with anything smaller

What offset where you old rims and what car did your friend put them on?

did you try your old 215 tires?

link62 · Mar 5, 2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Martinez

What offset where you old rims and what car did your friend put them on?

did you try your old 215 tires?

i bought his old rims and they would rub the inside of the inner wall everytime i would turn the wheel all the way to make a u both right and left and i have a 03 es and i belive it was 215/45/17

link62 · Mar 5, 2009, 01:18 AM

This is the area on both sides that would rub

WangMan · Mar 5, 2009, 02:18 AM

Juan, I think the rims I sold to Link were a 38 offset. These rims I just bought are a 45mm offset plus a 5mm spacer which brings it to about 40.

Boostedlancer$ · Mar 5, 2009, 09:07 AM

215 work awesome i have them. i had the right offset but couldnt run that tall of a tire so i had to go down to a 215/40R17 doesnt even come close to rubbing anymore.