215 or 225 sticky tire for a 7.5x17 wheel?
 

Hi all,


I have stock rims that are 7.5/17 and currently with a 215 stock tires which need upgrading. For the track, would you go with a 215 or 225 tire? Some said the 225 is good and others say just stick with 215. Not sure what I should do.

How much track experience do you have?

I had Falken Azenis RT615K in 225/45 on stock size wheels and loved them. Depends what you're looking for though. 225 is good

225/45 all the way on a '17+ with 7.5" wheel width.

Ive only gone 5 times to the track but my tires are shredded. Pieces of rubber peeled off during my last session so I need new tires.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AIVNAQetHA&t=24s

then I’d go with a 225 but not super sticky yet

https://www.ft86motorsports.com/wheelitfit/
225's look a bit pinched to me. I'd also recommend not going to 200 tw but stick with 215's.

I would stay 215s because lighter.

For me, 225/45 on 17x7.5, 215 on 17x7.
Tire make/model WAY more important than 225 vs 215...
Also, get some front camber before going to the track!

225 45 is recommended for 7"-8" wheels. You CAN go with 215 however nothing wrong with 225

215 will feel sharper and is lighter too.

I just looked at four Extreme Perf tires on Tire Rack. Two of them are 1 lb. heavier in 225 vs. 215, the other two are same weight either size. You're not gonna feel that... On a given wheel width, the 225 will be slightly more "pooched" and have very slightly less stiff sidewalls, but will yield a smidge more ultimate grip and should give slightly more grip per slip angle after turn-in.

For *me*, for best balance of aesthetics, feel, and performance, I'd go 225 on a 7.5" wheel, 215 on a 7" wheel.

I only have one thing to add to what you say, and that's to not forget that tires may run wide or narrow for a given size. I just had some 215 put on 8" wheels, and the sidewalls are slightly "pooched". Continental DWS 06 for reference. I still haven't measured the tread width to see the actual size.

I had a coach at Laguna Seca a couple years ago that had a BRZ and liked the 215’s. I let him drive my car when it had 225’s while I rode right seat. He was due for tires soon and said he was going to 225’s after that.

Understand there are several factors that will determine what tires will work best for each car/driver