RDroz

The tire to fender gap on my 1999 ES is really bugging me. I don't want to sacrafice comfort by dropping the car as its my winter driver too (rutted roads) but I'd like to get that gap down.

One idea I had was to go to a higher profile tire rather than the P215-55-16's that came on the car. They are about 24.25" tall (worn out) and a P215-65-16 is shown online as being 27" tall. That would close up the fender gap about 1-1.5".

I know high profile tires are "so out of style", but I don't think they would change the handling of the stock mushy suspension much. This isn't a Corvette we are talking about!

Has anybody tried this? Any results? Any pics?

Droz

PS. Speedo would read a little low too....but I could adjust my driving to suit.

BEJAY1

iTrader: (19)

+7% increase is a pretty dramatic change. Our cars have a ton of ground clearance stock (6.1") so even dropping them 1.5" on aftermarket springs isn't gonna cause much snow problems. Keep in mind going to a 27" diam tire will also raise your rideheight (and CG) by the same same amount you're closing the wheelgap. It'll be a little higher to step in & out of and cornering, braking, accel will be worse.

That all said I changed my daily's from 235/45/17 to 225/50/17 to increase my ride comfort but that was only .3" higher, not a whole inch.

Black Maxima

If you buy KSports, you won't need a high profile tire...

aih98max

iTrader: (3)

just like bejay, i have 225/50/17s for my tires. im not dropped at all, but will be soon, but they do ride better than my old 235/45s.
i think that me and bejay have the same tires, Kuhmo Ecsta KH11's???

BEJAY1

iTrader: (19)

Yep same. Not many choices in that size. Because of my stiff susp and bushings I had to soften something up.

RDroz

I'm not concerned with ground clearance, its more the rough ride across our rutted roads that worries me. Losing 25-50% of the suspension travel and putting in high dampning struts to contend with that will make those bumps seem even worse!

(I take it that KSports are another lowering spring)

Droz

Miguel97GLE

Seems like putting big glommy tires on your Max will make it look even more truck like then the wheel gap.

Black Maxima

They do make springs, but COILOVERS FTW.

clive

This post made me wonder:
You guys have the 16's as standard but mine came as stock with the 15" honeycomb alloys.
SO... was the suspension set-up changed by the factory on the cars with stock 15's or are they the same as the 16's just with a bigger wheel gap????

4x4Max

iTrader: (12)

just taller tires i think

Delvin

I'm on S-Techs with tires that are shorter than stock (225-50-16) and dont have any issues with snow (used to live in northern Virginia just moved). You'd be surprised that there are certain lowering springs that actually give a better ride than stock (Maxspeeds, Eibach).

Radiohead

No, the suspension setup is not different. The only thing different is the diameter of your wheel. Keep in mind that the diameter of the wheel + tire shouldn't change, otherwise your odometer will be incorrect. If the diameter of the wheel increases, then the sidewall of your tires will decrease to compensate and vice versa.

clive

So if I understand correctly, this means that the Max models with the 16" wheels will have a lower profile tyre than what I have? Mine has 60 profiles, what is stock for the 16" ones, a 55 or 50 profile?
If the 16" Max wheels are also 60 profile then something somewhere doesn't make sense.

RDroz

It also depends on the width as the "60" means 60% of the width.

But yes, stock tires on my Max were 55's (P215-55-16's).

Droz

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

I assume your ES has an automatic transmission. Here's a bit of advice and a secret most on here don't know.

First the advise, don't go to a taller profile tire, your car will become very unsettled, squirmy and handle like a big old floaty caddy on the road. Not to mention the speedo error, accelleration and brake degrade from the larger wheel diameter. Just a bad idea, don't do it.

If your ES is indeed equipped with an automatic transmission, then get yourself a set of OEM front springs from a 5 speed 4th generation car. They will lower the front of an auto tranny equipped car about 1/3 of an inch and maintain all the comfort you'll ever need. In fact, I think that setup rides better then the stock setup in auto tranny 4th gens.

I'm riding on that setup now, even with 17" rims on, the front wheel gap isn't bad at all. Judge that for yourself, here's a pic of how my car sits with the 5 speed front springs installed.

aih98max

iTrader: (3)

i will be dropping on AGX's and Progress later this year, im hoping for an alright ride and a SWEET look and great handling.

4DRSpeed

iTrader: (22)

get some H&R springs with Tokico Illuminas. H&Rs don't lower too much and the Illuminas are great struts!! I have them on my automatic, you can adjust the dampening.

They would be perfect for ya. Tennessee has some silky smooth roads and some ridiculous pot hole infested (it looked like the roads had been hit with meteors) and the Illuminas feel great once adjusted correctly.

Radiohead

Yeah, I have the same setup and it's pretty good. My only complaint is that the ride can be really harsh on bumpy conditions, but you can't expect OEM comfort all the time.

BlackCat

iTrader: (6)

RDroz, you can try locally produced CMS springs. They're manufactured in Surrey, B.C. and I've been riding on them for 3 years with no deterioration. In the U.S. they're also known as Springtechs. Check out my cardomain site for pics and how they look. I used to ride on Eibachs but they're too harsh for my old butt. The CMS's are a good compromise between low riding and comfort IMO. BTW you'll need to upgrade your shocks if you intend to go lower.

http://www.canuckmotorsports.com/