205/45-17

[Grant]

Anyone fitted 205/45-17? Any issues with rub? What about 18s in the rear?

[lotusgirlmarie]

That would be the wrong size. 205/40 17" would be correct for the car. 45 is too tall. 18" would produce a significantly harsher ride as there would be little to no give in the sidewall of the tyre.

[Grant]

Thanks Marie. I think 205/40-17 would be perfect in front, but I am trying to fill out the wheel arch in the rear a little more. It really bugs me. Was planning to order the following...
Front - OZ Ultraleggera 17x7 4x100 44 - 205/40-17
Rear - OZ Ultraleggera 18x7 4x100 42 - 215/35-18

The car is mostly a grocery-getter < 1000 miles a year. Maybe I should just stick with 17s all around and lower it a bit.

I'm assuming this one has been lowered.
P.S. Love your front splitter and brakes on the white one.

[Scott]

what tyres you generally propose? what about 205/50?

[lotusgirlmarie]

I'd stick with 17" all around. Easier to get 4 tyres and less adverse handling. No sense in making the car dangerous by having the rears catch on the bodywork.

Scott, 205/45 16" is Original. 205/40 17" is the correct size for 17" wheels should you want to go this route.

[DavidEJM]

I have 205/40 17's on mine. No issues to report, all seems to work well.

As ever it is the offset of the wheels that is the most important consideration.

[Scott]

i have the S2 wheels 16'' and 205/45 tyre size. that's why i said about 205/50. what is correct size for s2 wheels?

[dapinky]

Scott,

The tyres you have are the correct ones for 16" wheels.

All wheels suitable for the elan use a tyre width of 205mm, but to keep the correct rolling circumference they need different aspect ratios depending on the wheel diameter.

15" use 205/50/15

16" use 205/45/16

17" use 205/40/17

Using anything else will possibly make the ride harsher or more forgiving (depending on which way you go), also it will mean that the speedometer will be less or more acurate than standard....

...using a larger circumference will also (theoretically) increase top speed, or improve fuel consumption at a constant speed, whilst using a lesser circumference will go the other way but improve accelleation times.

Not sure how noticable any of it would be in real world driving though

[Scott]

no what you said is correct thanks a lot.
well i dont want to fit other wheels except S2..they are soo beautiful. so i will keep fitting 205/45 for my 16'' wheels.. thanks!!

[Grant]

Here is the end result.