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View Full Version : Widest (safe) tyre on stock 17"?


Raoul H
28-03-03, 12:59
Hi All,
My rear tyres (on stock 17" wheels - 9.5"width) need replacing and so I was considering perhaps going up a size or two from the standard 255/40/17. I am considering going for 275's. I spoke to Micheldever who didn't seem keen on this, and I spoke to Bracknell Tyre and Battery who seemed to think this wouldn't be a problem. - although I would need to give them the required profile (40/35 etc). I had a trawl in the archives but nothing really conclusive was found. So, my question is two-fold:

a) what is the widest width and profile on stock 17" rears people are running?

b) what problems/benefits were experienced going to the wider width and (possibly) lower profile.

Rgds,

Thorin
28-03-03, 13:01
275/40's max on stock 17" rears IMO.

AJI
28-03-03, 13:53
Remember if you want to keep grip balance then you should bring your front width upto 245.

Raoul H
28-03-03, 14:04
Originally posted by Thorin
275/40's max on stock 17" rears IMO.
Cheers Thorin. I am hopingh I would be able to get away with this size but my view is somewhat 1-dimensional - I am looking mainly at the increased grip that would be achieved given the increased footprint.

Rgds,

Raoul H
28-03-03, 14:08
Originally posted by AJI
Remember if you want to keep grip balance then you should bring your front width upto 245.
Hmmm, this is something I had not considered, thinking that the stock width of 235 was sufficient. But wouldn't going to 245 at the front cause them to rub?

Cheers,

Terry S
28-03-03, 14:42
Raoul, go to www.tirerack.com

Choose the type of tyre you are looking at the go to specs. This will give max & minimum wheel widths for the choosen sizes.

If you look at say a Goodyear F1 eagle then a 275/40/17 is spot on for the width of 9.5"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+F1+Supercar

Good luck

Raoul H
28-03-03, 15:01
Originally posted by Terry S
Raoul, go to www.tirerack.com

Choose the type of tyre you are looking at the go to specs. This will give max & minimum wheel widths for the choosen sizes.

If you look at say a Goodyear F1 eagle then a 275/40/17 is spot on for the width of 9.5"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+F1+Supercar

Good luck
Cheers Terry,
Had a look and yes the min/max rim width supported suitable for 275s is 9"/11" respectively. So that is good. But 'real world' experiences on the Supra would be better. As AJI mentioned, there may be a grip imbalance front to back. It would be great to get a handle on what other issues there may be especially if safety could be compromised.

Rgds,

Supra_Al
28-03-03, 15:37
Hi, if it's any use and you stay standard, i've got a almost new 255/40/17 for sale @ £40? Al.

lust2luv
28-03-03, 15:43
Slightly increased rolling resistance affecting top speed / fuel economy, obviously.

:looney:

Raoul H
28-03-03, 15:47
Originally posted by Supra_Al
Hi, if it's any use and you stay standard, i've got a almost new 255/40/17 for sale @ £40? Al.
DOH!:p Only joking. I've decided to try 275/40s having done a bit more searching around. It should be ok. The fronts are not due for a change just yet, so it will be an opportuinity to see whether I do get an imbalance. Thanks for all the input guys...

The tyre:

Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 275/40/17.
£91 each from Bracknell Tyre and Battery.

Getting tomorrow.

I am currently running this brand all round and have no complaints regarding grip/handling or otherwise. I mean if my Kumho-shod Supra could keep Justin's (B1SEP) old Evo honest around Camber Sands that's good enough for me.:p

Rgds,

Raoul H
28-03-03, 15:52
Originally posted by lust2luv
Slightly increased rolling resistance affecting top speed / fuel economy, obviously.

:looney:
Cheers for that. Hmmm seems obvious now. But I can live with that - seems a fair exchange for more grip.:looney:

Rgds,

Steve W
28-03-03, 20:49
Just for interest Raoul, if/when my tyres go AWOL, I plan to get
EXACTLY the same sizes ! ! !

245/45/17 front , 275/40/17 rear ! !

I'm after a tidge' more grip but also a smidgin' better RIM-PROTECTION :p

The 255's are just about jutted-out, but I still manage to just
catch the rim edge (I know.... TIT:D )

PLUS, every bit wider at the back MUST look better from behind ??

(AND, I would also probably go for either the Khumo Supra's, or,
the Goodyears - IF I have extra cash at the time !?)

YES, the speedo accuracy WILL alter.... it will be MORE acurate...
'cos it OVER-reads at the moment....will 'come-back-down' slightly
with the larger Diam'(only slightly though!)

FatS.

Raoul H
28-03-03, 23:49
Originally posted by Steve W
Just for interest Raoul, if/when my tyres go AWOL, I plan to get
EXACTLY the same sizes ! ! !

245/45/17 front , 275/40/17 rear ! !

I'm after a tidge' more grip but also a smidgin' better RIM-PROTECTION :p

The 255's are just about jutted-out, but I still manage to just
catch the rim edge (I know.... TIT:D )

PLUS, every bit wider at the back MUST look better from behind ??

(AND, I would also probably go for either the Khumo Supra's, or,
the Goodyears - IF I have extra cash at the time !?)

YES, the speedo accuracy WILL alter.... it will be MORE acurate...
'cos it OVER-reads at the moment....will 'come-back-down' slightly
with the larger Diam'(only slightly though!)

FatS.
Hey Chap,
Don't talk to me about rim protection mate!:twak: After finding a set of nice stock 17's and getting them looking mint, I've gone and given them a curb rash the like as has never been seen before. Mainly the rears mind. So, they will be going back to Spit & Polish in the not too distant future. I'll be getting them colour-coded: 'pavement gray' :p

Rgds,

Steve W
29-03-03, 13:55
I've requested that the council coat the kerb-stones with a
rubberised paint.....

They haven't replied so far ? ?

Should I re-send the request ? It must have got lost in the post ?

:p

Syed Shah
29-03-03, 19:57
I run 275/40 17" on my NA on stock wheels, S0-2s. Feels good, and still a bit of space.

Steve W
29-03-03, 20:32
:thumbs: Cheers Syed.

Raoul H
31-03-03, 00:13
Originally posted by Syed Shah
I run 275/40 17" on my NA on stock wheels, S0-2s. Feels good, and still a bit of space.
I must agree here albeit I've only just acquired mine for my TT. So far my 275/40/17 Kumhos feel very good and there is loads of room left for a larger section tyre. Would need larger wheels to exploit it though.:mad:

Rgds,