I am looking at getting some 17s. I have looked around and the couple I like are 8j at the widest. What is the widest tyres I can get on this size rims or am I just wasting my time?

If these rims are viable what set up should I go with? Different widths front and back or keep them the same? The car is pretty much stock power wise and styling wise and I have no plans on going big power in the future.

Would lowering springs make any difference on which tyre size to go with as I may be tempted by some in the future.[/I]

Thanks
Mike

 

How wide your tires can go depends on a lot of things. I won't pretend that I know enough to shoot out a number, but here's a short list of variables.

offset
camber
how low your car is
coilovers vs springs
fender flaring/widebody kit

Post up some more info about or car and rims, and tell us what you want to do with the car. If you're just looking for the widest, sickest look, that means something. But there's a point where your tires will be too much for the power you're putting down and will hold back your car instead of helping it.

 

My car is basically stock apart from the exhaust, downpipe and free flow cat. Bodywork is also completely stock. I am looking for some subtle updating mods ie wheels, eibach springs, OEM skirts and poss a rear diffuser. Power wise things will remain as is for now so 260ish bhp. The car is 35000miles from new and engine is in fine shape. When it goes things will be upped a little but nothing crazy.

So I am basically after an updated look, but very subtle. No widebody kits etc. The wheels I am considering are Oz ultraleggera (poss hlt version). Can't find any offset info anywhere but I know they come in 17 x 8. Other wheels are Rota Force, again 17 x 8 with 45 offset. Ideally I would want the 99 spec tyre set up ie 235 F and 255 R, but am not sure this can be done with 8j wheels and still have the car handle well.

What I really want to know is widest tyres + profile for an 8j rim without screwing the car up in terms of looks and performance

thanks
Mike

 

For 17x8, the most common tire size is 245/40/17, with 245mm being the widest you can go on an 8" wheel for optimal handling characteristics. For a lower sidewall you can run 35 instead of 40.

 

Cheers Macz,

Do thing 245/40 all round of would you have something a little slimmer upfront?

 

If by slimmer you mean shorter sidewall, then:

I would, just because it doesn't affect my speedometer readings. The 245/40/17 setup has the same total diameter as the factory 225/50/16 setup

 

Sorry for my poor use of English. I actually meant something like 225 or 235 up front but again I am not sure of what profile the tyre would need to be if using 225 or 235.

My only reservation about 245 up front is that it may encourage tramlining more than I get with the 225 at the moment. It is not currently a big issue but I assume going 245 up front would compound and exagerate the problem.

Any thoughts?