205/50/17 and 215/45/17 ..... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

AlexH · 10-02-2010, 06:11 PM

I hear you Bruce. I know the roads there in Los Felix as well as some parts of Wilshire going away from downtown. I drive somewhat gently going througjh downtown. Anyway, I want a little bit more tread in the front but just don't want the tires to look too tall. Since the diameter going from 205/50/17 to 215/45/17 will decrease, will I see a bigger gap between the wheel well and tires or the supension will automatically adjust?

BTW Bruce, I may visit the UK again (my 5th or 6th time) in 2012 for the Olympics and to visit family in Buckhurst Hill, do you think it's safe and the airfares going through the roof? Cheers and thanks for share that ugly tire/wheel.

Topless · 10-02-2010, 06:21 PM

225/45/17 will fit with no issues. Same sidewall height and rolling diameter, more tread/contact patch. I have been running this size on the front for 4 years.

blue2000s · 10-02-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topless

225/45/17 will fit with no issues. Same sidewall height and rolling diameter, more tread/contact patch. I have been running this size on the front for 4 years.

Between a 205 and a 225, I bet you start to notice a little difference in the car's balance. It will probably tramline more easily too.

AlexH · 10-02-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Between a 205 and a 225, I bet you start to notice a little difference in the car's balance. It will probably tramline more easily too.

Blue,

I thought about going 225 but was afraid that it's too wide to fit in the stock wheel.

blue2000s · 10-02-2010, 08:21 PM

The 17" front wheels on the 986 are 7" wide. That's the same width as the rear 16"wheels, which are 225s. So I would think 225s on the 7" front wheels should be OK.

AlexH · 10-02-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topless

225/45/17 will fit with no issues. Same sidewall height and rolling diameter, more tread/contact patch. I have been running this size on the front for 4 years.

Good to hear since the Potenza re760 tires cost the same in both sizes, I thought to beef up the front a little for a nore stable ride.

blue2000s · 10-02-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexH

I hear you Bruce. I know the roads there in Los Felix as well as some parts of Wilshire going away from downtown. I drive somewhat gently going througjh downtown. Anyway, I want a little bit more tread in the front but just don't want the tires to look too tall. Since the diameter going from 205/50/17 to 215/45/17 will decrease, will I see a bigger gap between the wheel well and tires or the supension will automatically adjust?

BTW Bruce, I may visit the UK again (my 5th or 6th time) in 2012 for the Olympics and to visit family in Buckhurst Hill, do you think it's safe and the airfares going through the roof? Cheers and thanks for share that ugly tire/wheel.

You won't notice the diameter difference. But going from a 205 to a 215, you probably won't notice any handling difference either.

Bruce Wayne · 10-03-2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexH

I hear you Bruce. I know the roads there in Los Felix as well as some parts of Wilshire going away from downtown. I drive somewhat gently going througjh downtown. Anyway, I want a little bit more tread in the front but just don't want the tires to look too tall. Since the diameter going from 205/50/17 to 215/45/17 will decrease, will I see a bigger gap between the wheel well and tires or the supension will automatically adjust?

BTW Bruce, I may visit the UK again (my 5th or 6th time) in 2012 for the Olympics and to visit family in Buckhurst Hill, do you think it's safe and the airfares going through the roof? Cheers and thanks for share that ugly tire/wheel.

the other posters have got you on the tyre spec, good advice.

if you do visit the uk during the 2012's it'll be safe for sure. the biggest risk we face in the UK is going broke or being taxed to death (but that's another story). if fares do go through the roof you can always go direct LAX-CDG with air france and then catch the eurostar from paris to london. (you can also catch me on the PPrune forum - Professional Pilot rumour network - same usernme)

Bruce Wayne · 10-03-2010, 12:30 AM

shouldnt be a problem as blue noted above ^

the standard front size for the 18" rims is 225 so there shouldnt be any problems with fouling either.

as a suggstion also, i always check my wear patters on tyres, especially at change over, and for what a decent set tyres cost its worth getting the alignment done once a fresh set is on (alignment is a minimal cost), bad road surfaces can take its toll on alignment and significantly affect the handling as well as wear rates on tyres (sorry tires)