What's the best size/profile for 17" rims???

JAMIE-TYPERV6

JAMIE-TYPERV6

Octane Boostaholics
Hey all..

I've my summer wheels off being refurbed next week and I thought I'd start looking for tyres for them for the summer.

They're a standard OZ Superturismo so I assume I need a 205 width tyre... or am I better to go for a 215...? Or will they rub??? :dontknow:

Also what's the best Profile....40 or 45...? Anyone any pics of a 40 profile on their 17" rim... I'm keen to see what a 40 looks like as I've had a 205/45 profile before on my old 17" rims (pic attached) and I always thought they looked too chunky. At the same time... I don't want rubber band wheels as the back roads round where I live will destroy them.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

J.. :thumbsup:
 
215/45/17 or else 225/45/17 is what i.d go with 215/40 i wont take much to damage the rim. Never ran 205 on 17" rims tbh.
 
Thought it was odd alright... :ponder2: but definately sure they where 205's...and on a 7" rim.

I'd love to go as wide as 225/45 but I hear they can rub badly on standard suspension... where as on harder suspension you can get away with it. :dontknow:

Just looked up some pics on the net of 215/40's on 17" rims... and they look like band aids that would be ripped within the first week.
 
Ye 225 might be a bit wide unless you could get a wheel and try it before you buy tyres. No point and buying them and there rubbing. Iv 225/45/17 on the wagon with no rubbing but that may be wider than yours :dontknow:.im sure someone on here is running them and will let you know :thumbsup:
 
Think most classic lads run 215/40/17 but a 45 tyre would be no problem as well and give you slightly better mpg.. Not sure if you could squeeze a 225 tyre with a 40 wall but I probably wouldn't risk it, just in case..

7" wheel should fit the 215, 99% sure that width and tyre size comes standard on the b4's and possibly some of the newage as well.
 
Cheers lads... heads saying 45's as Wicklow back roads and the little fella don't go to well together... . but would love the lower profile look of 40's on it. :icon_eyes:
 
many legacy specific info but im sure there will be similarities:


But to be on the safe side, here is the tire widths you can put on each rim:

195mm = 6.5", 7" and 7.5"
205mm = 6.5", 7" and 7.5"
215mm = 6.5", 7", 7.5" and 8"
225mm = 7", 7.5", and 8"
235mm = 8", 8.5", and 9"
245mm = 8", 8.5", and 9"
255mm = 8.5", 9", and 9.5"
265mm = 8.5", 9", and 9.5"
275mm = 9" and 9.5"
285mm = 9" and 9.5"

Once you decide on the rim size, the tire width you want to run, here are your final tire choices. Note that not all tires are built the same way, so sometimes you'll find two different tire models with the same size (225/45/17), but one can fit on a 7" rim, while the other one will need a 7.5". You'll have to look around the manufacturers' specs on sectional width of the tire.. normally you want your rim width be no more than 1.5" less than the tire's sectional width. For example, if you have a 8" wide rim, your tire's sectional width shouldn't be more than 9.5" or you'll have to deal with the flex on the tire sidewalls. Most performance driving set ups are 1" difference (ie. a 8" wide rim with 9" wide tire). Below I listed for you by rim diameter of which I recommend running with some notes on each tire with notes to go along with them as well:

16 in. rims (for 2.5i, 2005-on) only:

195/60/16 (great for snow rally or snow use)
205/55/16 (OEM sizing which is also good for some non-tarmac surfaces)
215/55/16 (oversized for the rim protection, but very sloppy sidewall handling)
215/50/16 (wider footprint used for more daily driving without harsh gas consumption)
225/50/16 (great for autocrossing, still usable for daily driving all year round)


17 in. rims (for GTs 2005-on):

205/40/17 (only for SUPER FAST acceleration and torque; for autocrossing only, do not use for daily driving)
205/45/17 (only for FAST acceleration and torque; for autocrossing only , do not use for daily driving)
205/50/17 (good for snow rally)
215/45/17 (stock)
225/45/17 (good autocross performance tire size for gearing, more mph per gear)
235/40/17 (good autocross performance tire size for torque, more acceleration)
235/45/17 (tallest tire you could use under the GT due to possible suspension clearance issues, best used with an 8" wide wheel)
245/40/17 (good autocross performance tire size for traction, will need to have a flatter alignment to make use of the grip)
255/40/17 (maximum grip, good for track days, will need a 9" rim to make use of the contact patch and a good alignment as well).

18 in. rims (for GT 2005-on):

215/35/18 (only good for autocrossing use, do not use for daily driving)
225/35/18 (only good for autocrossing use, do not use for daily driving)
215/40/18 (uncommon tire size, close to OEM overall tire diameter, good for daily driving)
225/40/18 (typical sizing, most popular size, GREAT for daily driving)
235/40/18 (very large, but great for pot-hole city driving, may need fender rolling)
235/35/18 (rare size, but closest to OE tire sizing to keep the spedometer reading correctly)
245/35/18 (common autocross, performance size, very good for daily driving)
255/35/18 (very good daily driving size, even better on the track)
265/35/18 (very good daily driving use, but the car wont be able to use all 265mm of tread for the track)
275/30/18 (tallest tire you can mount without fender clearing issues on a 2" lowered car if you get the right offset)
285/30/18 (aka, the "STREETS OF DREAM" setup... the widest you can go.. this is the next tire size I am going for and a rim to match it)

18 in. rims (for Spec B.2006-on, 3.0Rs 2008-on):

225/40/18 (common tire to use and gives a better acceleration since it's 0.5" shorter)
235/40/18 (rare size to find, but near stock height for proper gearing)
245/40/18 (popular tire size for the larger cars)

19 in. rims (for GT 2005-on):

225/35/19 (common typical sizing for 19" for our cars)
235/35/19 (tallest tire you can mount without fender clearing issues on a 2" lowered car if you get the right offset)
245/30/19 (rare size, but also tallest tire you can mount without fender clearing issues on a 2" lowered car)
 
Both the RB5 and the P1 Imprezas came with 205/45/17.

So really as tested by prodrive and they could have put on different sizes they felt this was best for classic impreza.

Dave
 
Oh and reason why most owners changed to 215/45/17 was because was more popular tyre. So therfore was cheaper and more choices brand then 205/45/17.
 
i would go with the 215/45/17 jamie

best all rounder, cheaper to buy than the 205 and give a protecter on the rim from pot holes, also a nicer ride as the 40 profile is very low
 
[quote author=davelegacy™ link=topic=32749.msg375357#msg375357 date=1325853958]
Both the RB5 and the P1 Imprezas came with 205/45/17.

So really as tested by prodrive and they could have put on different sizes they felt this was best for classic impreza.

Dave
[/quote]

This is a good point a lot of people ignore manufactures recommendations
 
Have my track wheels there jamie , newage wheel with


225/45/17 tyres on them , you are welcome to take a loan of them to see if they fit :thumbsup:
 
I use 215/45 R17 the whole time on the Wagon....
tho i think im goina go for 225 45 R17's next... there is plenty of room in there so i dont see why they would rub or cause any issues to be honest
 
same as hammie, i have 215/45 R17 i have all my arch's rolled from when i did all the body work so i will be going with the 225 when i need new rubber with a bit more of a drop all round as well
 
[quote author=JPtypeRA link=topic=32749.msg375761#msg375761 date=1326200731]
Have my track wheels there jamie , newage wheel with


225/45/17 tyres on them , you are welcome to take a loan of them to see if they fit :thumbsup:
[/quote]

Cheese JP.. Karma for the offer. Might take you up on that.
 
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