Not all Micheline tires created equal

[crankin]

Need some help deciding tires. I have ran Michy AS3 in the past with great experience so I have chosen that tire. Everyone says go to a 215 size for a little more tire on the road. These are the 2 sizes I am considering for a little more cushion.

205/45/17 says treadwidth 7.5 on 7" wheel

215/45/17 says treadwidth 7.2" on 7" wheel

I don't see the extra tire on the road in the 215 size?

Am I missing something or is this stricly mfg tolerances?

 

[Hijinx]

What "says?"

 

[crankin]

What "says?"

These dimensions were pulled from Tirerack site and also cross over to Michelins numbers.

Upon investigation inspection I believe Tirerack has reversed the numbers.

 

[Hijinx]

I went with 205/45 AS/3s and to be honest, they are wide for 205s.

 

[crankin]

I went with 205/45 AS/3s and to be honest, they are wide for 205s.

That is exactly what I settled on as well. The 215/45/17 will fit on stock suspension no problem with the 42 offset I have, but tire guy says it will rub if I lower which I eventually plan on doing. I just wanted some more cusion for pushin. All in all the 215/45 are 1/4 wider than the 205/45 but come with a 2lb weight penalty per tire which I think more than offsets the negligable width.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Wise research and decision I have to say, it is just what I came up with as well and the 205 is very wide and would work on a 7.5 or even 8" wheel

 

[westcoaST]

Will this work on a 7" wheel?

 

[Natedogg]

You're going to find the 215/45 compared to the stock 205/40 will read about 5% slower on the speedometer where as 205/45 will be about 3.4% slower.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

[RAAMaudio]

The 205/45 work great on a 7" wide wheel and look good but would be slightly better on a bit wider wheel, I have them on 7's.

They do read a bit slower and about right at 3.4% as shown when passing a speed sign in a construction zone.

 

[Natedogg]

At least with 205/45 you have more choices in tires. My next set will likely be 205/45.

 

[RAAMaudio]

Just enough added sidewall to soften the ride a bit and less chance of bending wheels, it is a good compromise tire for our cars when staying with 17's and they make them in 16's that will work for those wanting 16's.

I just wish I could get them in 225/50/15 so I could run them on 15x9 wheels like my race setup.