I am looking to get some 17x7 wheels really soon and have read tons of post on here and I cant decide what size tire to get or why. I have seen the 205/45 and the 215/40 listed as the top choices over and over but I dont know why each one.

Can you tell me on a 42 offset 17x7 which tire would look better? I am probably going to run OTG spacers in the back. Thanks.

Looking at bfg's or yok's not sure yet.

THANKS!

 

I run a 215/45-17 on a 17x7 wheel. I got that size tire because I didn't want to chance bent/cracked wheels. They ride like stock and handle sooo much better than stock. My wheels is a +45 offset.

Here is how it looks:

http://www.sounddomain.com/ride/2052640

 

215-45's are too tall IMHO and will throw off the speedo and performance. 215-40's are the same diameter as stock. 205-45's are about 1/2" taller but you will have the best selection of brand and model choices with a 215-40.

I got my wheel and tires from The Tire Rack. I went with the Yokohama Avid H4S because it has a treadwear rating of 500. The BFG G-Force Sport was my second choice. The Yoko's are highly rated by Tire Rack customers too. Go to www.tirerack.com to check out their selection and read the customer ratings.

 

I was just going to post a thread about this.

Does anyone have photos of an xB with 205/45/17 and 215/40/17 so we can see the difference?

 

Not enough difference to see in a photo. The 215-40's are a little shorter and 10mm wider than the 205-45's.

 

I went with the "taller" rubber for exactly the same reason, though my offset is a
little different, i think mine were +40mm

 

When I ran 17s, it was 215/40-17s. That size is closest to the OEM rolling diameter, and the ride was alot better than when I was running the slightly smaller 205/40-17.

 

Thanks guys that exactly what I was looking for. I want a little taller tire so I guess Ill go with the 215/40. Thanks.

I would probably go with the 45s but I dont want to mess with the speedo being wrong since this is going to be a commuter.

Thanks much.