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Who's running 215/40/17 their car?

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B

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Thinking about going to 215/40/17 tires on my GTI VR6 with a 1.5" H&R sport drop. I'd like to get teh extra sidewall height for ride comfort and protecting the rims a bit more...
I don't want to roll/cut the fenders as I've seen so many hatchet jobs, I don't even want to deal with that headache.
Will I rub 215's on a 1.5" drop?
PS -I guess I should also mention that I plan on running TT 6 spokes which are a 32mm offset.

[Modified by bobby_t1, 11:42 AM 2-9-2002]


[Modified by bobby_t1, 11:42 AM 2-9-2002]
 
N

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#2 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (bobby_t1)

I have them on my car the only problem I had was the plastic under the front rubbed because the clips broke and it would only rub when I cut it hard. I had a major drop about 2" - 3 "..
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (Thorax_Embalmer)

quote:[HR][/HR]absolutely not rub with 1.5" drop....
maybe if you lowered it 3+ inches like i did with 215-40-17, then perhaps
[HR][/HR]​
Just what I wanted to hear!.. so is it even worthwhile going to 215/40/17? It's about $60 US more (about $12 per tire more) over 205/40/17s... In theory,I thought 215/40 over 205/40 would yield moreprotection for the rims and a comfier ride...
 
A

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#5 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (bobby_t1)

Dude! You're still stuck on this subject? A 215 tire is 10mm wider than a 205 tire. So if you do the math, a 40 series tire in a 215 size tire will only be 4mm taller than a 205 size tire. I don't think 4mm's will make a big difference in protecting your wheels. I would suggest a 205/45x17 tire. Kinda best of both worlds! Anyone disagree with what I said?
E

edited: for grammer



[Modified by Aloha-boy, 7:40 PM 2-8-2002]
 
B

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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (Aloha-boy)

quote:[HR][/HR]Dude! You're still stuck on this subject? A 215 tire is 10mm wider than a 205 tire. So if you do the math, a 40 series tire in a 215 wide tire is only going to be 4mm taller than a 205 tire. I don't think 4mm's will make a big difference in protecting your wheels. I would suggest a 205/45x17 tire. Kinda best for both worlds! Anyone disagree with my what I said?[HR][/HR]​
LOL.. i'm convinced et32 will fit now, so that issue has been closed (partially thanks to you http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif), now I want to know if I can get 215's in there and if it's worth doing.
205/45/17's would make the speedometer 5.2% too slow, 215/40/17's make the speedy 3.0% too slow.
So what do people recommend: 205/40/17, 205/45/17 or 215/40/17?
 
B

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#8 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (bobby_t1)

I have 215/40/17s because that's the closest size michelin makes the pilot sport in. If you're only going 1.5" lower, you won't have rubbing issues. If you're going much lower than that, you'll need to do some fender work.
I can set the inside of the wheel well on the tops of the tires in the front. I don't know if it's the fact that the 215s are a little wider and a little taller or if it's just my car. That's with H&R normal whatever stage coilovers.
If I had to do it over, I'd go with a 205/40/17.
 
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#11 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (Thorax_Embalmer)

right now i run 215/35/18 on my jetta. I have neuspeed sports and bilstein sports. In the back I tuck under about an inch and a half. But it doesn't rub the worst is the front tires that rub when turning because they are too wide. Also i sanded down the wheel wells because they would chirp away the tire
 
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#16 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (bobby_t1)

when you say "protect the rims" are you talking about the sides? Example: rub up against a curb and the tire sticks out just enough to keep the rim from scraping? OR, are you talking about protecting your wheels from pothole damage, bends, cracks etc?
 
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#18 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (Aloha-boy)

quote:[HR][/HR]I don't think 4mm's will make a big difference in protecting your wheels. I would suggest a 205/45x17 tire. Kinda best of both worlds! Anyone disagree with what I said?[HR][/HR]​
I'll disagree .
This summer I had 205's on the front of the car. Every large bump would result in a BANG and I could feel it right through the steering column. Replaced them with 215's and the impact is greatly reduced. No other change made on the car besides that.
Its not a matter of "its only 4mm", what you need to ask is "how much does each extra mm cushion" In my case it was a lot.
 
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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (whitecar blackwheels)

quote:[HR][/HR]when you say "protect the rims" are you talking about the sides? Example: rub up against a curb and the tire sticks out just enough to keep the rim from scraping? OR, are you talking about protecting your wheels from pothole damage, bends, cracks etc?[HR][/HR]​
I mean pothole, damage, bends, etc... I can't see curb rash being any better with 215's over 205s
 
M

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#20 ·
Re: Who's running 215/40/17 their car? (bobby_t1)

well, obviously there will be more protection with the 214 40 - as you have 40% of 215 instead of 40% of 205
but i can tell you from experience of WASHINGTON roads that 215 40 17 is absolutely protective.... not a scratch or dent in any of my rims... - but then again 205 you can dump more.... its all choice.
 
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