Tyre size choice - which one would ride better?

Hate

Hate

Hate

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,175
Location
Sussex
Hey guys.

I'm going to need to replace all 4 tyres on my GT4 before the next MOT, I've decided to stick with the Falken FK452 but I have the choice of 2 sizes.

235/40 R17 or 215/45 R17

Which one of the two tires would give a better ride / less road noise ? At the moment I'm running 235/40.

Cheers!
 
How do you have a choice of sizes for the same size wheel? Surely one of them is the correct size and the size you should use and one of them is wrong and will through your speedo out.

Wider tyres will generate more road noise.
 
That's a point, I'm just going by what other people with GT4s have and it's split between 215 and 235. I'll check both tyres can fit without a penski style stretch...
 
[TW]Fox;13374966 said:
How do you have a choice of sizes for the same size wheel? Surely one of them is the correct size and the size you should use and one of them is wrong and will through your speedo out.

Wider tyres will generate more road noise.
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You can go a bit wider on the same rim without any stretching issues as long as you don't go too mad. It won't throw the speedo out if you go with lower profile wider tyres because the rolling radius remains almost identical.

In the example from the OP (235/40/17 vs 215/45/17), there is just a 0.1 inch difference in rolling radius.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
 
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Hate said:
I'm not an alloy head
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No but your engine has one :D

Are they the stock wheels, or aftermarket? I'm guessing aftermarket from your current tyre size.

If it were me and I were happy with how the car handled/rode at the moment I'd just stick with the 235/40. Sure a 45 gives a little more meat on the wheel, but probably not enough to be noticed.
 
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Should be stamped on the wheel somewhere, whether or not its easily visible is another matter :p
 
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