Yes, I know there has been much discussion on this topic and most do not consider it safe to put a 245 on the stock 17x7's.

I'm just curious if there is anyone who has done it anyway and what your experience has been. How many miles on the tires? Any uneven wear? Handling problems? MPG drop? Anything else?

 

According to Tirerack.com you generally have about a 3% play in width on tires for cars. If that is the case a 235 would be about 4% wider. Many of the members are running 235/45/17's which will be my next purchase. Running 245's would really be pushing the envolope, most places wouldn't even install them for you.

I will buy the Kumhos for $100 a piece plus $10 a tire shipping. Then have my local Goodyear tireshop do the install for $14.25 a piece. I will end up saving about $100 this way.

 

You might as well go for the wider tire if you're going to throw safety, the manufacturer's warranty, guidelines established by national and international standards bodies, and perhaps even your insurance policy in a tire-failure-related accident to the wind. After all, both 235/45R17 tires and 245/45R17 tires are rated for 7.5" wide rims. And the 245/45R17s maintain a better overall geometry than the 235/45R17s when compared to the stock 225/50R17s.

But don't invite me for a ride around the track in your car.