slider71

Anyone have this tire on the OEM 2k2/2k3 GLE rim?

This is what is available for sizes:

215/50ZR17
255/50ZR17
215/45ZR17
225/45ZR17
235/45ZR17
245/45ZR17

Is the first one the best fit?
Thanks for your thoughts.

Bulldawg

iTrader: (1)

I have the 225/45R17 on mine and it is a pretty good tire. Great in the wet weather, and holds the road in hard cornering(dry weather) when you ask it to. Mine are one load rating below what is recomended but I have not had any problems so far(knock on wood). Overall I give it an 8.5.

slider71

Did you have them adjust the speedo too?

Bulldawg

iTrader: (1)

I determined from my calculations that it would only be like 1-2 mph so I am not really going to worry about it. Plus a smaller overall size will make the speedo read faster than I am actuall going.
so if i am going 60 it will read 62ish. The way I see it, it will keep me from speeding as bad.

mm7759

So will the 225x45 look 4x4ish with stock suspension? I don't think I'll be lowering mine, and I really would hate it if the wheel well gap was too much. Anyone have pics of that setup? I would lean more towards the 215x50, and hope they don't look too skinny! One thing I noticed. They both have load ratings of 90. Isn't the factory recommended 93??

nissan5788

I'm on stock SE's w/225/45 and lowered w/Teins. I had no wheel gap w/the 50 series stock tires but the wheel gap now is a little more than I wanted. I can't imagine how bad the gap would be on the stock suspension. There's member(s) here w/55 series who say it doesn't look bad. Might want to check that out?

edit: re: load rating (after reading bulldawg's post) I've had the car full w/5 passengers & trunk w/150lbs in it w/o problems.

Bulldawg

iTrader: (1)

The difference in the radius is 11.25mm. So that means that your car will sit about 11.25 mm lower to the ground and you will also have 11.25mm more wheel gap. 11.25mm=.4429 in.

Here is the breakdown.

225*.50=112.5mm sidewall height
225*.45=101.25mm
Difference=11.25mm

From center of wheel to outside edge of stock tire:
17/2in + 4.429in=12.929in.
From Center of wheel to outside edge of 225/45:
17/2 + 3.986 =12.486 in.

Which equals:

Overall stock diameter 25.858 in.
Overall 225/45 diameter 24.972 in.

So I will let you be the judge on whether 11.25mm more wheel gap will make the max look like a 4x4. I don't have that problem due to mr. JIC. hehe. NOw to address the weight issue.

The stock rating is 93(1433lbs per tire) and the 225/45 is 90(1323lbs). The weight distribution is 61/39 F/R. My car weighs 3360lb without me inside. so add me + two more friends and I am at 3960, round up to 4000lbs. so.......

4000*.61=2440 lbs divide by two(for two tires)=1220lbs<1323lbs OK
Now for the rear. .....
4000*.39=1560 lbs divide by two=780 lbs < 1323 lbs OK

I didn't see this as being a problem because I know that I can carry atleast this much( if not more) with no problems. I rarely have that many ppl. in my car just because we all like to drive.

But obviously you can see that I am bored....so enjoy.

limsandy

iTrader: (1)

I was going to put 215/50/17 Continentals on my stock rims, but then I changed my mind. I might change back again.


~limsandy

mm7759

AWESOME response Bulldawg! That really clears it up! I think I will lean towards the 215's. I think an additional 1/2 inch gap would not look right (to me). Plus the taller sidewall of the 215 would help when the wife is driving the car and not watching all the potholes in the road! Thanks!