205/55 compared to 205/40

[beechstreet]

I've got an 04 with the 5x114.3 lugs on the 205/55r/16 stock rims and tires and I'm looking into getting some 17s, but the only kind I can find that I like are 205/40/17. Will that decrease the handling of my ride any? Sorry if this is a repost, I couldnt find anything in search. Thanks for your time.

[darkvibe]

itll screw up your speedometer by like 6%

[LannyM]

I personally think the 04s look great with the 205/55/16. THt size just sems to fit the wheel well properly, as compared to the 195/60/15, which is, on paper anyway, about .6" smaller. You're talking about going to a tire that is almost 1.5" smaller, so your car is going to look "undertired", unless you have or are planning a drop.

It would probably decrease the quality of your ride, as that sidewall will be much stiffer than stock, but you would probably see an incremental increase in handling, especially if you are planning lightweight 17s....

What type of tire are you planning?

[beechstreet]

Originally posted by LannyM
What type of tire are you planning?

Ya know, I dont really know what kind of tire i'd get. I just want some 17s with decent rubber, nothing too fancy. I was lookin at rims at www.wheelmax.com but most of their 17s come with 205/40 rubber, thats why I was curious to know the big difference from 205/55. I guess I'll just keep lookin. Thanks.

[Eee Pee]

205/55WR16 _91W _ _SL _
_220 AA A
On a 6.5" wheel is 8.5" wide
And is 25.1" in diameter


225/45YR17 _91Y _ _SL _
_220 AA A
On a 7.5" wheel is 8.9" wide
And is 25.1" in diameter.

Both examples are Kumho Ecsta MX tires.
Info is from www.tirerack.com

[bobdobbs]

Originally posted by teambeechstreet
but the only kind I can find that I like are 205/40/17.
Those are way too small for your car. Go with 215/45-17.

[VividDreams]

i agree, 205/40 is like having rubber bands on your wheels, ok, say you go with the 205/40. you are staying with the same width as stock, and with the sidewall number being the percentage of the width, youre lookin at 15% less sidewall. for example, i have seen the 205/40's on a car and the height, from bead to tread was maybe 1.5 inches, my 215/45 are about 1.5 inches with just the sidewall, then you have another, say, .5 inches on top of that. what im saying is, that with say a 215/45, it looks like you actually have a tire there. i mean, a 205/40 will not look much bigger than a motorcycle tire, if that helps put it into perspective

hope i could help

[slave0ne]

Not to be too off topic here, but I am in the same boat where I to have an 04' civic si and I plan on getting 17s as well.

In your opinions, how would a 235/40/17r or a 235/45/17 tire work with the ep3?

I am considering buying the wedsport 17x7.5 wheels. would the above mentioned tires work with this wheel? If not what size tires would you guys recommend for this wheel? Sorry if my questions are off topic or too n00bish...after all, I am a total n00b.

thanks,
-jason

[MediumRare]

Gosh~ So wht if i gonna put on a 205/40/16 on my car???!
wht would happen? or can i put it on??:( :o
thx for the advice

[bobdobbs]

Originally posted by MediumRare
Gosh~ So wht if i gonna put on a 205/40/16 on my car???!
wht would happen? or can i put it on??:( :o
thx for the advice
You "can" put them on, but they would be ridiculously small. You'd have way too much wheel gap. You'd also have a very inaccurate speedo, and your rims would be more prone to damage. Your car would ride very rough, and your gas mileage would go down. If you have any significant drop at all, you'd scrape your exhaust and catch your front load hooks on all sorts of things. Bad idea.

[BlasTech]

Im very pleased with my 215/45/16 Azenis... only a 2% speedo change.

[tony speed]

your sidewalls will be stiffer with the 205/40 giving you better handling at the expense of a rougher ride. it's not all bad news

[MediumRare]

thx all the advice guys~ :cool:

[beechstreet]

Originally posted by MediumRare
thx all the advice guys~ :cool:

^what he said

[VividDreams]

well, it was kind of a coincedence, but i went with my buddy yesterday to look at some tire since he needs new ones. what do ya know, they had a 205/40-16 tire sittin there. let me tell you, i cant see why anyone would buy that size, from bead to tread, there is maybe 1-1.5 inches. thats rediculously thin. they are almost like rubber bands. they would ride rough as hell and the added handling would be un-noticeable:(