225 is wider and has a slighty shorter profile, but why is the 215/55 genereally more expensive. I bought some 512's today and the 215s were $12 more than the 225s (at $70 a pop). even the 215/55 cost as much as some lower profile 17's in the same category or even brand manufacturer. Are they harder to construct or is there less need for the 215/55 size?

 

Less common?