2002I35

looking to replace the craptenzas on my I35 sport package. have about 9k on them, and i've had enough, especially in the rain. don't want to pay michelin pilot sport type dollars, looking at the HTR+ and some other favorably rated tires at tirerack, most of which come in either of these two sizes to fit our 7 inch rims. also not prepared to do the 235/45/17 out of spec quite yet, though i know many of you run this size without any problem. any thoughts/personnel experiences on the difference in the two sizes, the ride quality difference, looks, etc. would be greatly welcome. thanks.

FuPeg

I have been looking at the 215/50/17 size as an alternative to the overpriced stock size. If you look at the specs of the two sizes you mentioned, the 215/50/17 looks closer to the 225/50/17. Sidewall, radius, diameter of the 215/50/17 is very close. Load rating is a potential problem area, the 215/50/17 size is usually a lower load rating (90 for the Conti Extreme, 91 for the Sumi HTR) than the stock size (typically 93). The Yokohama Avid V4 does carry a 93 load rating in the 215/50/17, and I will give that a long look. If anyone has any experiences with those, I'd also be interested.