Michelin PS4: 215 vs 225 for 17x8 wheel

[leevanf]

Ok My 17x8 T66 are coming, and thanks for the other thread that helped me decide to get the PS4s.

Last question is putting me on the fence between the 215 and 225.
I want to stick with 215 because of the weight (its a 2lb difference!), speedometer, oem size thing, price.
Some suggest 225 to protect the rims better and for aesthetics. Any safety risks if i run 215s? Anyone have a 215/45 on 17x8 setup now?

Just looking for maximum functionality with no compromise to safety here.

[churchx]

If it's PS4, not PS4S, and for daily driving only, probably 215. A bit lighter weight, slightly lower sidewall, a bit more stretch, - sharper subjective steering feel due less sidewall flex due more stretch. If occasionally tracking, on 17x8 .. hmm, probably 225. Still, not unreasonably wide, but a slight bit more lateral grip (though of course, most comes from tire compound) and maybe more resistant to overheating (imho PS4 was easier to overheat on track relative to PSS/PS4S).
BTW, imho speedometer reading doesn't matter much. Given that even with OE tire size speedo lies on modern cars 5-8% by manufacturer agreement, with slightly larger tires it will even lie less . What imho matters more to driver when changing to larger tires, that on our relatively low power/torque stock NA power change to overall gearing may make hit to acceleration .. but then again in this specific case that hit is small, difference between 215/45/R17 & 225/45/R17 circumference/speed variance is 1.55%, not that drastic, within "safe change range". IIRC not the case with MPS4, but for some tire models 225/45/R17 was cheaper then 215, due 225 being more common sizing.

[leevanf]

Originally Posted by churchx

If it's PS4, not PS4S, and for daily driving only, probably 215. A bit lighter weight, slightly lower sidewall, a bit more stretch, - sharper subjective steering feel due less sidewall flex due more stretch. If occasionally tracking, on 17x8 .. hmm, probably 225. Still, not unreasonably wide, but a slight bit more lateral grip (though of course, most comes from tire compound) and maybe more resistant to overheating (imho PS4 was easier to overheat on track relative to PSS/PS4S).
BTW, imho speedometer reading doesn't matter much. Given that even with OE tire size speedo lies on modern cars 5-8% by manufacturer agreement, with slightly larger tires it will even lie less . What imho matters more to driver when changing to larger tires, that on our relatively low power/torque stock NA power change to overall gearing may make hit to acceleration .. but then again in this specific case that hit is small, difference between 215/45/R17 & 225/45/R17 circumference/speed variance is 1.55%, not that drastic, within "safe change range". IIRC not the case with MPS4, but for some tire models 225/45/R17 was cheaper then 215, due 225 being more common sizing.

Thats great info! Definitely leaning towards 215 now.


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[Sam86]

Bump because I have the same question, currently have 215/45/17 with Bridgestone Dayton DT30 tyres my wheel is 17x7.5.

Can find very little info on the Dayton tyres I have (was on the car when I bought used). They seem to be ok and relatively good at taking corners without slipping however are horrible in the rain.

I want to upgrade to PS4’s but not really sure how much of a difference I’m going to feel.

As I want new tyres, I’m considering getting 225’s because I like the look of the Tyre profile.
I know very little about tyres besides the basics.

I don’t track my car, it’s my daily driver and I’m on stock suspension with no plans to change that (as I won’t be able to get up my driveway if I do). I have a little extra power on e85 and want more traction/ stability. Would there be any noticeable difference in my ride height with 225’s or is it mostly in the width compared to 215’s?
Is the cornering traction really that significant to matter compared the two? Or are the differences very minor that you’d really only notice if you’re pushing the car on a track?

Anything else I should know?

[churchx]

Just use any google-able online "tire calculator". For example this.
Radius change 0.18in/4.6mm, that's your ride height change. Very probably not much to notice visually aswell.
There was a lot of grip from tire switch from stock primacies (no more tire chirps at slow speeds (which i actually considered fun and missed) and immense wet grip). 215 vs 225 differs less then from that of tire model/rubber compound, it may seem that contact area patch should increase proportionally to width, but it's more of changing contact patch shape to shorter but wider. I'd choose rather by if a bit more comfy but sloppy vs a bit sharper, and by tire costs for specific sizings.

[Sam86]

Originally Posted by churchx

Just use any google-able online "tire calculator". For example this.
Radius change 0.18in/4.6mm, that's your ride height change. Very probably not much to notice visually aswell.
There was a lot of grip from tire switch from stock primacies (no more tire chirps at slow speeds (which i actually considered fun and missed) and immense wet grip). 215 vs 225 differs less then from that of tire model/rubber compound, it may seem that contact area patch should increase proportionally to width, but it's more of changing contact patch shape to shorter but wider. I'd choose rather by if a bit more comfy but sloppy vs a bit sharper, and by tire costs for specific sizings.

Thanks I’ll have a look at that calculator. That being said would the ride height increase reduce the gap I have from the tire to the fender since it’s filling out more or do you think it would be the same as the 215s just with an overall height increase?

Also I’ve never driven an 86/ brz with their stock tires so I don’t know what to compare my current tyres to, and how drastic they are over stock, and whether there’d be much of an increase upgrading to PS4s from what I currently have (Dayton DT30 215/45/17) which from the limited info I can find is a budget tire with decent dry condition traction but still prone to slippage in wet/ dirt.

[RToyo86]

225/45R17 will fit the wheel better.

I ran 215/45R17 PS4S on my current set of 17x8.
You can see there is a bit of stretch and look narrow for the wheel. Not dangerous or anything. The main thing I did not like is that I had to be extremely careful laying the wheels down flat or they would scrap as the tire didn't cushion/touch first.



https://i.imgur.com/W6FqGeM.jpg

Current setup of 225/45R17 yoko advan sports for comparison.

[Sam86]

Can’t decide now, I thought at first the MPS4 picture you had was the 225s before I scrolled down and was thinking they looked pretty good. Must just be the wide look of the MPS compared to my current wheels which are more round.

That being said my wheels are 17x7.5 so if I did go 215 I wouldn’t have as much stretch.

The amount the 225 fills the wheel arch looks nice though but I’m guessing you’re lowered

And how come you switched from ps4’s?

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by Sam86

Can’t decide now, I thought at first the MPS4 picture you had was the 225s before I scrolled down and was thinking they looked pretty good. Must just be the wide look of the MPS compared to my current wheels which are more round.

That being said my wheels are 17x7.5 so if I did go 215 I wouldn’t have as much stretch.

The amount the 225 fills the wheel arch looks nice though but I’m guessing you’re lowered

And how come you switched from ps4’s?

Mostly in the angles. From a straight on side shot you cannot tell but from more of a front/rear Angle you can tell that the tire is on the narrow side. A 7.5" would be more suited to a 215. If you look at the PP wheels they have the same primacy tire on a 7.5".

I mostly switched due to cost, purposes and to try something different. I was able to snag the PS4S near new for dirt cheap off somebody. And yes I'm lowered a bit on RCE yellows.

That and I'm planning to do some auto crossing and light track duty this summer and wanted a burner set of rubber. If I was to spend PS4S money I'd probably look for a 200TW tire. I got a good deal on the V105s at $550 installed. PS4S would have cost nearly triple.

[CrowsFeast]

I just put 245/40 Indy 500's on my 17x8 summer wheels. They don't look pinched at all. They feel a little more numb but the wheels had 205/40 (or maybe 35?) on them when I bought them. Those were definitely stretched and smaller OD.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by RToyo86

Mostly in the angles. From a straight on side shot you cannot tell but from more of a front/rear Angle you can tell that the tire is on the narrow side.

215 is visibly shorter vs 225, which contributes to it looking more puny from any angle.

A 7.5" would be more suited to a 215. If you look at the PP wheels they have the same primacy tire on a 7.5".

Which probably saved them a tiny amount of $$$ using the same tire... Given an appropriate tire make/model for intended usage, there's not going to be a lot between 215/45-17 and 225/45-17 on a 17x7.5. 225/45-17 would be the more usual OEM fitment on a 7.5" wheel.

Honestly not a huge deal, but when I got winter tires to put on the factory 17x7.5s I went 225/45-17 because to me they do look a lot less puny from any angle. And slightly more ground clearance for snow! Still, I'm about to have to get new streets to double as practice and rain tires at the track and I'm going 225/45-17 for those as well.

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by ZDan

215 is visibly shorter vs 225, which contributes to it looking more puny from any angle.

Which probably saved them a tiny amount of $$$ using the same tire... Given an appropriate tire make/model for intended usage, there's not going to be a lot between 215/45-17 and 225/45-17 on a 17x7.5. 225/45-17 would be the more usual OEM fitment on a 7.5" wheel.

Honestly not a huge deal, but when I got winter tires to put on the factory 17x7.5s I went 225/45-17 because to me they do look a lot less puny from any angle. And slightly more ground clearance for snow! Still, I'm about to have to get new streets to double as practice and rain tires at the track and I'm going 225/45-17 for those as well.

Agreed that 225 definitely fill the wheel arch better. You'd think they would have at least offered sticky rubber with a more track focused package.

You are lowered like me so any bit of extra ground clearance is a bonus. The 205/55R16 are roughly the same diameter as the 225/45R17. The extra sidewall is nice for rough roads too.

[Sam86]

Yea I think I’ll go the 225. Hopefully the ground clearance gives me an excuse to lower the car slightly but probably not or else I’d be better off getting 18” wheels and tyres for the same price

Which size am I meant to get? I understand the number at the end is the load weight but is that gonna be relevant for me since I’m not tracking my car?

There’s the
225/45/17 94Y XL (which is what I was looking at)

and then for an additional $75 each there’s the

225/45/17 91W

I’m guessing the XL is for extra load, does that mean those tyres are going to weigh more and not be as fast as the 91W? Or will it make no difference for me driving at speed limits most of the time. Don’t wanna spend the extra $300 if I don’t have to

[churchx]

XL, extra load, is with reinforced sidewalls .. supposedly for heavier vehicles, vans/suvs. Heavier (bad), but might be a bit stiffer(good for sharper steering, like slight stretch for that purpose). Imho both XL & non XL can be considered, whichever cheapest.