Stock height + Aftermarket wheels compilation!!!!

[alxtheoreo]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

Still stock suspension 4 years on. A new set of tires just put on last week, finally trying out the Continental ExtremeContact DW - in 205/45-17 (my preferred tire size for this car) on the 17x7.5 +40mm offset Enkei Fujins (which I love, perfect match for the car):

How is it with the 205 width, versus 215?

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[Mr Nerd]

Originally Posted by turbocat

Apex Racing ARC-8, 17x9 42, race silver, 225/45/17 Hankook RS3
Stock suspension
Front Camber -1.4

The exact set up I've been researching lately.

Do your tires rub at all during tight turns?

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by alxtheoreo

How is it with the 205 width, versus 215?

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Not a negative change in tread width over stock... most 205/45-17 tires are as wide or wider than stock 215 Primacy's, even the 205 Primacy is the same width. So you have the same or slight larger than stock contact patch.

For comparison here are the stock Primacy's and 205/45-17 Kumho Sport LE:

215/45-17 Michelin Primacy HP



205/45-17 Kumho Ecsta Sport LE




205/45-17 get you a lower CG, lowest weight in 17" performance tires, a better match to a 7.5" width wheel for immediate and precise handling, and quicker response to throttle due to slight better gearing advantage with the reduced diameter and lighter weight. Basically it quickens and sharpens the cars reflexes with an extremely slightly better ride quality while still being more stable than stock with much more grip (because tire compound not tire width is what counts for grip). Car is an absolute riot... especially in the wet on these Continental DW tires!

[alxtheoreo]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

Not a negative change in tread width over stock... most 205/45-17 tires are as wide or wider than stock 215 Primacy's, even the 205 Primacy is the same width. So you have the same or slight larger than stock contact patch.

For comparison here are the stock Primacy's and 205/45-17 Kumho Sport LE:

215/45-17 Michelin Primacy HP



205/45-17 Kumho Ecsta Sport LE




205/45-17 get you a lower CG, lowest weight in 17" performance tires, a better match to a 7.5" width wheel for immediate and precise handling, and quicker response to throttle due to slight better gearing advantage with the reduced diameter and lighter weight. Basically it quickens and sharpens the cars reflexes with an extremely slightly better ride quality while still being more stable than stock with much more grip (because tire compound not tire width is what counts for grip). Car is an absolute riot... especially in the wet on these Continental DW tires!

That's great to hear! I'm actually gonna buy this setup later this month, yet with 215 width.

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[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by alxtheoreo

That's great to hear! I'm actually gonna buy this setup later this month, yet with 215 width.

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Why not try 205/45-17 size? They cost less and are lighter for being almost the exact same width...

[alxtheoreo]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

Why not try 205/45-17 size? They cost less and are lighter for being almost the exact same width...

How's the sidewall stretch?

I've seen a few 7.5 on a 215/45, yet never a 7.5 on a 205/45.

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[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by alxtheoreo

How's the sidewall stretch?

I've seen a few 7.5 on a 215/45, yet never a 7.5 on a 205/45.

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About the same stretch as the stock tires on 7.5" wheels. If you noticed in the pictures from my previous post, the stock 215/45-17 are actually more stretched than the 205/45-17 Kumho's, because the Kumho's have a wider tread. 205/45-17 tires are designed for fitment range of 6.5"-7.5" wide wheels... and 7.5" is perfect width since that is the tread width as well...if you are looking for the best responsiveness from it, especially with softer sidewall tires.

[alxtheoreo]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

About the same stretch as the stock tires on 7.5" wheels. If you noticed in the pictures from my previous post, the stock 215/45-17 are actually more stretched than the 205/45-17 Kumho's, because the Kumho's have a wider tread. 205/45-17 tires are designed for fitment range of 6.5"-7.5" wide wheels... and 7.5" is perfect width since that is the tread width as well...if you are looking for the best responsiveness from it, especially with softer sidewall tires.

Thank you for the information. I'll need to reconsider my tire selection. Lol

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[turbocat]

Originally Posted by Mr Nerd

The exact set up I've been researching lately.

Do your tires rub at all during tight turns?

No Rub. Just ran an Auto-x, once the tires were warm the car was very grippy with the RS3s in 225 width tires. I'm still stock power.

If I increase tire width(235 or 245) with the next set of tires i'm a little worried about the side wall touching the stock lower spring perches in the front. I'll have to see when its time for new tires in the future.
I know my stock ride height is not cool looking, but I really enjoy the stock suspension. It is leaps and bounds better than stock WRXs I've owned. I'm really on the fence about getting any suspension mods (spring/struts, or coilovers). I've owned both before on other cars.

[lupindub]

Originally Posted by alxtheoreo

I would say a 235 width tire because it's the minimum measured width for a 8" wheel. Or if you want to keep the same width, go up in profile.

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What?! I'm pretty positive 215's are the minimum width for 8 inch wheel's albeit a slight stretch.

[alxtheoreo]

Originally Posted by lupindub

What?! I'm pretty positive 215's are the minimum width for 8 inch wheel's albeit a slight stretch.

8" is the MAX width for most 215s. The MINIMUM will be 7"

[lupindub]

Originally Posted by JonAvalon

5zigen fno1rc 17x8 +35 offset
Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2: 215/45-17

Even though the tire setup is temporary, I'm digging it for stock height.

Is it just me or do these tires hardly look stretched? I was told that 215's on 17x8 will make the tire look stretched but these look normal...

[JonAvalon]

Originally Posted by lupindub

Is it just me or do these tires hardly look stretched? I was told that 215's on 17x8 will make the tire look stretched but these look normal...

Yea it can depend on the tire. If you were to do it on the stock primacy the stretch would be way more noticeable. I was surprised it wasn't that stretched on the Hankooks but in person you might be able to see it.

[lupindub]

Enkei RP03 on stock tires. 17x9 +25 on the front and 17x9 +20 in the rear.