I've posted this before but never got a definitive answer so I'll try again, maybe someone knows...

Standard tyres for a classic are 205/50/16 or 205/45/17 and most people go for 215/40/17 as you can only get a couple of makes of tyre in 205/45 size.

The overall diameters of 205/50/16 and 205/45/17 are almost the same, whereas 215/40/17 is a bit smaller.

225/40/17 most closely match the standard o/a diameter, would they suit? It seems that the extra width might give more grip, but does it suit the car's handling? Would they rub on the arches?

Anyone tried??????

Soapy,

I've also beaten this one to death! Suggest you try to find some tyres in that size before you waste anymore breath!! ;)
You make find some when doing Internet searches but if you contact the advertisers it's usually an error.

If you do have any success please let me know?

Good luck

Steve.

I would say you would be very lucky to get a 225 width tyre to fit without rubbing, either the rear arches or the suspension struts, depending on the offset of your wheels.

The 18 inch wheel & tyre option for the P1 used 225 width tyres on P Zeros didn't rub, but this was the exception, rather than the rule.

You won't be able to get much more grip (if any) from the 225 width tyre, over a 205 or 215, so I'd stick with the 215/40x17 for which there are plenty of reasonable priced tyre options.

John

John

You may well be right, although 225s are effectively only 5mm wider (each side) (and about 5mm larger diameter) than 215s, which we all know work fine. I find it hard to believe that 5mm would make that much difference, but maybe it does....

I just wanted to know if anyone had fitted 225s on a standard offset 17 and what the result was. Perhaps I'm too optimistic, but I can't follow the crowd just because that's what the crowd does.

I'll probably find out that they do rub, but I just want to know...

225 is 10ml more than 215.;)

.........but only 5mm on each side ;)