Hi All,

I know this has been covered before but I'd like to hear from anyone who has run both 215 45 17 and 205 45 17 on their car. Looking for views on comfort, grip, feel, mpg etc.

I'm just about to re-shoe my car and 215's are about £20 per corner cheaper for better rubber and will fit on my standard sporting rims. I am aware that Speedo will read lower, not a problem as it currently reads approx 6% over, load and speed rating will be taken into account and yes, I will inform my insurance company!

Thanks in advance.

Ben

Anyone got any thoughts or negatives on going to a 215 45? I'm itching to get some rubber bought


Cheers

Ben

Just tregarding the mpg, be aware that the 215 have a bigger development (about 5%), so your odometer will show 5% LESS distance (and speed) then with the 205.
This added to the actual increase in consumption will give you bad mpg figures, but it must be biased ...

BRs, Bernie

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Bernievarian said:

Just tregarding the mpg, be aware that the 215 have a bigger development (about 5%), so your odometer will show 5% LESS distance (and speed) then with the 205.........

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You're missing the diameter of the wheel that doesn't change. The rolling radius of a 215/45 17 is only 1% different to a 205/45 17

Cheers, I was more looking for thoughts on comfort and steering response from larger side wall or quantifiable reduction in acceleration resulting from increase in diameter of tyre.

Cheers

Ben

I'm confused, the 45 is the height 205/215 is width with the wheel remaining the same. Why does the speedo read differently, I fully understand the relationship with different overall circumference but wouldn't this be the same? Thank you

I had 205 / 55 / 16"s on the multijet stilo (think they where 55) dynamic wheels, now running on 3 blades and 1 weird fiat 17"... 4x98 17" 7.5J. With 215/45/17 87y

There is three tyre / wheel sizes for the mj, 16" like i had, then two 17"s. However, one of the 17" spec is 4x98 17" 7J (205/45/17) and then a similar spec but 7.5J and 215 width.

If your running 205, i would reckon your wheels are a 7J spec, im not sure if putting 215s on a 7J rim would be ok...

Something for you to check out.

Im getting new wheels and tyres on monday... sticking with 215/45/17 but going for 91W XL (will take a higher load and be safer at speeds too, even though im never going to over do them on our roads or a track).

Standard sporting rims are 6.5j x17", several other manufacturers fit 215 45 17 on same size rims so figured they'd fit fine.

Guys on here have done it but I couldn't find anyone who had had posted a comparison.

Be interested know how you with your new set up. Tyres are the only grotty thing left to change, one I've had an alloy refurb and fitted matching non economy tyres I'll be happy with the car, until I find a cheap 200 cell cat and td04

Cheers

Ben

DGPunto said:

You're missing the diameter of the wheel that doesn't change. The rolling radius of a 215/45 17 is only 1% different to a 205/45 17

Click to expand...

Absolutely true, been a bit too fast in my thinking ... Sorry if it has mislead someone :-(

BRs, Bernie

Moimo said:

I'm confused, the 45 is the height 205/215 is width with the wheel remaining the same. Why does the speedo read differently, I fully understand the relationship with different overall circumference but wouldn't this be the same? Thank you

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As the 45 represents the % of width that the sidewall measures a 215/45 has a sidewall that measures 96.75mm and a 205/45 92.25mm (if tyres are manufactured to such tight tolerances). Adding in the 17" wheel the overall diameters are 215: 528.6mm 205: 524mm

So the very slightly bigger (overall) wheel and tyre combination will cover more distance for each turn of the wheel. As speedos read speed from the number of turns of a wheel the 215 tyre covering more ground for the same engine/gearbox speed works out as very slightly higher speed compared to what's shown on the speedo.

However given the difference is only 1% and Fiat fit different wheel/tyre combinations to these cars anyway and I'm not aware of any speedos that are that accurate. My little GP (1.2) speedo reads almost 10% under (checked against a calibrated car and GPS)!

That is a great lesson, I always thought as that why people say.... that it was the height of the side wall, thank you