Tyres

[RoniN_]

Just a quick. Question. My tyres need changing and my mate has 2 x 205/45/17 for sale. Can i fit them. Asking as the factory spec is 215/45/17. Thx

[J Henderson]

They'll fit, but expect a larger wheel arch gap and rougher ride due to the smaller sidewall. Plus of course less grip since they're narrower.

[lexus loon]

John, the sidewalls as the same size so surely its no different ,When i changed from 16 inch 205s to 215s the handling felt better but the sidewall was 55.

[sjrainsford]

The 45 bit on the sidewall is not millimetres. It is a percentage of the width. So a 205/45 will have a 92mm side wall. A 215/45 will have nearly 97mm.

[matt-c]

John, the sidewalls as the same size so surely its no different ,When i changed from 16 inch 205s to 215s the handling felt better but the sidewall was 55.

Sidewall numbers (40, 45, 50, 55, etc) are percentages of the tyre width. So in a 215 (mm) 45 (%) 17 (inch) tyre, the sidewall is 96.75mm in height. In a 205/45/17, the sidewall is 45% of 205mm, not 215mm, making it 92.95mm.

[matt-c]

The 45 bit on the sidewall is not millimetres. It is a percentage of the width. So a 205/45 will have a 92mm side wall. A 215/45 will have nearly 97mm.

Haha, beat me to it! :D

[sjrainsford]

The 45 bit on the sidewall is not millimetres. It is a percentage of the width. So a 205/45 will have a 92mm side wall. A 215/45 will have nearly 97mm.

Haha, beat me to it! :D

He he, great minds and all that!

[RoniN_]

Ok. Thanks. :-)