Width better than Length?

e-thirty · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 09:27 AM

Hey all,

Just wanted to say a quick thank you for the helpful posts on helping me decide on which exhaust I should go with and I have decided on the Supersprint for it's melodic tune and gains.

Now, I'm searching for some tires. I've found some threads to help me learn about offsets and such. But my concern is the tire width.

I got to speak with Tech Support from a Wheel/Tire detailer and was informed that the 17" rim I chose has an offset of 38 and works with my car.

However, I can only go as wide as a 205 with a 45 series tire. (I would go w/a lower profile tire but feel that New York/New Jersey has to many potholes).

My question is that should I sacrifice the length of the wheel for the width of the tire? I am currently running the stcok 14's my car came with and would like to have a summer wheel/tire. I know some might say just choose another rim with a lower offset but I'm set on these 17's

But anywho, I would like to know what you have on your vehicles and open to read your comments and opinions.

p.s. along my search for tire knowledge I found these two helpful sites:

http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi
http://www.dsm.org/tools/tiresize.htm

tdc · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 09:44 AM

According to some of the women I've known, it's all about the width.

///Samson · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdc

According to some of the women I've known, it's all about the width.

Yeh, it's becoming that way...

shift knobs are in vogue now I guess.

StreetRacr · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 12:03 PM

domoarigato · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2005, 06:31 AM

For an e30, going to 205/55 15 is optimal for a plus one set-up.

17's, you'll need to drop the suspension to make it look good. Driving in NYC/NJ, I would recommend not going with 17s. You're asking for bent rims.
You could get wheel spacers and go with 215/40 17.