215 or 225 tires in front?
 

The stock size 205/50-17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is back ordered everywhere for the last several months. Not knowing when they'll have new stock, I'm thinking of 215 or 225 which are currently available. With OEM set up I'm pretty satisfied as I can bring the rear end out most times when I want with the gas pedal.


The 215/45 is 1.7% smaller, will that impact PSM much?


225/45 is perfect almost, only .2% smaller. But that's a big tire for a 7 inch rim. I am already rounding off the shoulders on the stock 205's. 225's would give me more sidewall flex and tend to roll over more?


Thoughts?

I run with 225/45 fronts, and wouldn't go back to 205's. Moving to 225s reduced the understeer on the car.

...oh, and as for your comment on greater sidewall flex or tire roll, I don't think that should be a problem because you're going from a 50 series to 45 series in the 225 size, so the sidewall will be shorter, and thus, stiffer. IMO, the 205 to 255 (50 front to rear stagger difference) is just too much. I think Porsche's legal dept. helped in making that decision on purpose, to build in a lot of understeer for novice drivers who might have a tendency to swap ends on the car.

The 30 stagger from 225 front to 255 rear makes the car handle more neutral.

Mostly dry performance driving? 225/45. Lots of rain and possible snow? 205's.

I sent Goodyear an e-mail asking when the GS-D3s would be available. Here's what they sent back yesterday:

From: goodyear_cr@goodyear.com on 09/12/2007 05:55 PM

Sent by: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Consumer Relations 728 1144 East Market Street Akron, OH 44316 Voice #: 800.321.2136 Fax #:
330.796.6829

I am showing the GS-D3 currently available in P205/50ZR17. You may contact your local Goodyear Dealership and if they do not have the
tires in stock, you may place an order for them.

Best Regards,

Beth
Consumer Relations

I prefer the 225 as well for reasons stated above.

I went from 205's to 225's and found the difference to be very positive. The car has felt more neutral in both spirited street driving and autocross. No negatives in my book on this one.

I was also searching for those Eagle F1 in the 205 size, after a while I saw that it was back order everywhere, I saw peoples suggesting to go to 225 instead, I wasn't sure until I realise that my box already had 225 in the front! That what happen when you look into the book for new tire and not on the car itself :P

So Yeah definetely I think 225 is a good option, and I also think that the Eagle F1 is a amazing tire! :)