New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Hi all,

Just got myself some new alloys 17x7.5J

I know the correct tyre sizes are 205/45/17 or 215/40/17 for the classic Impreza. But I was hoping to not to decimate the ride on the car and I can't help but feel that 40's would be a bit unforgiving! The 205 size doesn't seem to give me much scope for tyre choice.

215/45/17 would give a larger rolling circumference of about 2.6% over the 205/50/16s that I currently have on the car. Would that be ok? I certainly don't want any issues with arch rubbing etc...

Has anyone gone from 16s on a 50 profile to 17s on a 45 or 40 profile? Thoughts/experiences appreciated.

Many thanks,

Ns04

Slick81

iTrader: (1)

I was running 215/45 on my classic and the rear arches were rubbing when under load or cornering hard and that was on standard suspension.

Which alloys have you got because my Inovit Tarmac`s are the same 17x7.5.

From what I can remember mate I think your running Tein set up so you may experience a bit of rubbing. When I changed to 40`s the car did feel alot better on the road. Could have been because of the decreased tyre flex in the wall of the tyre because of its lower profile.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

I ran eibach(SP) springs with Innovite Redlines and 215/45/17s with no issues on track

DJ_Jon

iTrader: (7)

I've got that tyre size on mine. I was getting some rubbing but I raised the height on my coilovers and problem solved.

Slick81

iTrader: (1)

I guess I must have been unlucky then

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Many thanks for the feedback everyone Yes, I have Tein coilovers, they're set not too much lower than std though (bad roads in the south east!) My alloys are OZ Ultraleggeras. Sounds like the safest option is to go for 215/40/17. I could always raise the ride height further though, but don't want to compromise the handling. Time to talk to some suspension gurus I think!

Andy916

iTrader: (8)

You don't mention offset of your wheels anywhere, and that amongst other things determines your arch clearance.

With ET48 and 215/45-17 and 30-35mm tyre top to arch vertical clearance I have no rubbing, but I had my rear arches rolled specifically to avoid that. Phil at archenemy.co.uk is good for this if you're in the south east/herts.

Tyre brand affects ride comfort at least as much as profile, as can switching to coilovers. 50 profile on 16" generally feels squishy, but the stiff sidewalls of a track-biased tyre can work well without being uncomfortable (eg Hankook RS2). 215/40-17 can work well with a soft sidewalled tyre eg Eagle F1. 225/45-17 should give you a bit more compliance, yes, but with hard sidewalls it can be a pain on the road eg. RE070's

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

I have Eagle F1's in 215/45 on my classic, with STi rims 17x7.5.
As someone else as mentioned, I get some rubbing when cornering hard and with rear passengers.
I hear you can also adjust the rear camber to compensate for this, but will need camber bolts if on standard suspension.

Andy916

iTrader: (8)

Rear already has one camber bolt each side as standard. 1 or 1.5deg will help, but you need to roll the rear arches to stop the rubbing.

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

They don't on classic's, or thats what I have been told when having a geo setup done. They offered to sell me some for a silly price, so they could be fibbing, but I bought my camber bolts from a group buy on here, so there were lots of other people that didn't have them as standard.

BLACK V5

Put bc coilovers on my classic. Never had rear camber bolts in. Only front.