I am interested in the 205/50 -17 set up. Anyone ever run these? I have 215/45-17 now, and i'm looking for a bit smoother ride, and also a bit taller gearing for the highway. I also have bent a lot of rims on my previous car with /40 and /45 series tires, so /50 series tires seems to be the safe bet. I am also assuming that taller profile tires will give better MPG. (so too will the taller gearing)

Will they fit in the wheel wells?

What are down sides of taller tires than stock?
- Speedo is off ( I can deal with that)
- Brakes aren't as strong (they are strong enough)
- Won't accelerate as quickly (Yeah, a concession I'll live with)

On the positive side:
- Smoother ride
- Better MPG
- Fills in the wheel wells better.
- Taller gearing not so buzzy on the freeway.
- Won't bend rims so easily.

Comments?
Tanabe DF210 springs, TRD sway bar and Koni shocks go on next week.
17x7 rims.

Phil 04 xA

 

Wow, 75 views and no responses, or even opinions.
Am I looking at rubbing issues?
Has nobody gone larger on their tires?

Phil
(new member)

 

You might have a little rubbing issue depending on your current stance and wheel fitment. I'm running 225/35/R18 on a set of 18x7.5 38 offset. I had a tiny bit of wheel well rubbing, but fixed that pretty quick. Just curious though regarding the wheels... what is the offset you are running?

 

I have an offset of 40, or at least as best I can tell. I just bought the car, and haven't been able to find an inprint inside the rim that tells me yet. I do know they are 17x7 rims, but the offset I'm just guessing at. Looks fairly standard, so I think they are 40. Thanks for the reply.

Phil

 

I am assuming that most rubbing issues are created by the width of the tires/wheels, and not by the height of the tires. As long as the tires are on the inside of the wheel wells, there should be enough clearance.

Is that correct?

 

im running 205/50 tires but im doing it on 16 inch rims and it looks great

 

From the sound of it, you should be fine. You're going to love running around on Tanabe+Koni combo. There is a quick simple suspension upgrade you can do that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg while you are working on the shocks. Take a look at the Energy Suspension End Links.

 

why so wide of a tire? im running a 215/35 on my 18x8 +13 F and i only rub on hard bumps and hard turns

 

the difference in a 45 series vs. a 50 series tire is less then a 1/4 inch. Knowing that, do you really think that is gonna smooth out your ride more? I would go with no. If you looking to smooth out the ride, and keep the 17s, you need to look at springs. Even with the smoothest spring ( Progress ) i still hit bumps in a car with a sport suspension, and not like a Caddy.

There are several things working against you with a 1st gen xB. The box overall is light in weight. The wheels sit on the outter most corners of the car. And the stock suspension is stiff to begin with. All these factors are working against you in your quest for a smooth ride. BUT .. for as bad as our boxes are, the lil doorstop xA is worse as i believe its lighter still and smaller!

I have run a 215/45R17 on my box from the time i brought it home. Nere in NY we have potholes the size of some small nations and i havent bent a wheel or popped a tire yet ( knock on wood ). Even with this set up with the Progress springs my ride is smoother then stock and smoother then Tein or GoldLines and yet it still rub under big bumps or hard cornering. Good Luck in your quest.

 

i forgot to add. Usually i run 31 psi in the front, and 28-29 in the rear. I do this almost year round, and because the box isnt heavy im not wearing the outside of my tires at all from under inflation. I just recently brought them all up to 32 psi for better handling in the snow here in NYC. Sure, it handles better, but it also rides rougher. This just from running more pressure in the tires by just a couple pounds.

 

Came with the rims. New meats are 215/35 Nitto Neogens.

 

205/50/17 on the rear is gonna be real close at the front of the WW at the side skirt. Don't expect a gain on the mpgs either due to added tire weight.