I need a straight answer to my tire question
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I need a straight answer to my tire question
Alright, I've been looking through all the posts to try to get my answer but I'm filled with more questions now! Ok, I have a 2001 Impreza RS. I have the stock 16" rims on it right now, but am looking to get 18"s that are 7.5" wide. Now when I go to tirerack they recommend 215/40-18's for tires. Tire availability isn't that great for this size. If I upgrade the tire width to 225, then there are a lot more tires to choose from. What are the concequences of doing this? Am I going to get rubbing from the tiny bit of added tire width? Will it throw off my speedometer? Anyone that has 225/40-18's on their 2001 Impreza RS let me know if you've had any rubbing and if you needed to do a lip roll, or if your speedo was thrown off. Any pictures would be great too! Thanks in advance.
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Posts: 955
From: Mann Engineering, Santa Clara, CA
Car Info: 13BRZ, 11FXT, 08T25, 07STI, 02WRX
I believe I answered this question in another post of yours. But I will answer it again. 215/40R18s as I have said before have less tire choices. Now the reason why Dexter has not recommended you the 225/40R18 is because the chances of tire rubbing is much greater. (my guess, I could be wrong)
However, a 225/40R18 will match your speedo much better than a 215/40R18. You will not notice your speedo being thrown off from driving it unless you have a perfectly stock car right next to you cruising at a specific set speed. More than likely, you will still follow what your speedo says even with the slight change in overall diameter. Btw, Tire Rack has a lot of information about all this, I suggest that you take a look at it if you have more questions.
Either way with 18s, you will need to roll your fender lips. This will also depend on your suspension setup. What struts, springs and alignments settings you have.
I personally do not have 17x7s on my 2000 Impreza RS (same car) for the reason that I do not want to roll my fenders and because I think that with 18's you loose a little bit of acceleration when compared with 17s. I am experiencing a little bit of rubbing right now with 17s, running a 215/45R17, but that is because I am running the Prodrive WR suspension setup on my car.
And that 215 -> 225 is about 10mm in increased width. One more thing to consider, not all 225s are equal and not all 215s are equal. Just because on manufacturer says it is a 215/40R18 does not mean that another manufacturer makes the tire to the exact specifications.
Hope this helps.
PS I suggest that you stick with 17s.
Edit: Your mileage count will increase pretty quickly also. Now that is something that is really noticable. When you go in for service.
However, a 225/40R18 will match your speedo much better than a 215/40R18. You will not notice your speedo being thrown off from driving it unless you have a perfectly stock car right next to you cruising at a specific set speed. More than likely, you will still follow what your speedo says even with the slight change in overall diameter. Btw, Tire Rack has a lot of information about all this, I suggest that you take a look at it if you have more questions.
Either way with 18s, you will need to roll your fender lips. This will also depend on your suspension setup. What struts, springs and alignments settings you have.
I personally do not have 17x7s on my 2000 Impreza RS (same car) for the reason that I do not want to roll my fenders and because I think that with 18's you loose a little bit of acceleration when compared with 17s. I am experiencing a little bit of rubbing right now with 17s, running a 215/45R17, but that is because I am running the Prodrive WR suspension setup on my car.
And that 215 -> 225 is about 10mm in increased width. One more thing to consider, not all 225s are equal and not all 215s are equal. Just because on manufacturer says it is a 215/40R18 does not mean that another manufacturer makes the tire to the exact specifications.
Hope this helps.
PS I suggest that you stick with 17s.
Edit: Your mileage count will increase pretty quickly also. Now that is something that is really noticable. When you go in for service.
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Thanks a lot for answering all my questions ImprezaRSDriver. That gives me something to ponder. I will seriously consider starting to look at 17's rather then the 18's. I don't really want to deal with the lip rolls or the rubbing. Thanks again for alll your insight.
tire size calculator
Check out this size calculator...here
Its helpful to check the general circumference of each tire size compared to stock and the speedo diff. it will create.
As far as fitting on a certain width rim...I'd say check with a tire shop. I'm lookin for 17" too...less wieght too!
hth
-j
Its helpful to check the general circumference of each tire size compared to stock and the speedo diff. it will create.
As far as fitting on a certain width rim...I'd say check with a tire shop. I'm lookin for 17" too...less wieght too!
hth
-j
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Thats a cool tire size calculator website!
Alright I have one more question for you ImprezaRSDriver! You have helped me a whole lot and I thank you. After much thought and fighting myself, I have decided to go with your recommendations. I am going with 17X7 rims with 215/45-17's for tires. My main concern with going bigger was the loss of acceleration and obvious rubbing that will occur with our GC8's. And I refuse to deal with the lip roll. So my question to you since "no two tires are alike", is which tires do you recommend? I would prefer to have all-seasonal high performance tires. I don't drive the 01' impreza in the snow now (because I have another vehicle), but you never know when something could go wrong and you may not have the time to switch to the stocks. Which tires have you had the best experience with? Thanks again for all your help. I owe you big!
Alright I have one more question for you ImprezaRSDriver! You have helped me a whole lot and I thank you. After much thought and fighting myself, I have decided to go with your recommendations. I am going with 17X7 rims with 215/45-17's for tires. My main concern with going bigger was the loss of acceleration and obvious rubbing that will occur with our GC8's. And I refuse to deal with the lip roll. So my question to you since "no two tires are alike", is which tires do you recommend? I would prefer to have all-seasonal high performance tires. I don't drive the 01' impreza in the snow now (because I have another vehicle), but you never know when something could go wrong and you may not have the time to switch to the stocks. Which tires have you had the best experience with? Thanks again for all your help. I owe you big!
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 955
From: Mann Engineering, Santa Clara, CA
Car Info: 13BRZ, 11FXT, 08T25, 07STI, 02WRX
I normally run either a Bridgestone RE040, SO3PP, SO2, or I run the Pirelli PZeros in the Rosso, Nero, or Asymmetrico. Obviously these are all tires that are on the high performance scale.
I have another set of 15inch alloys for the winter. And I usually use those during the winter season, whether I really use them or not depends on mother nature.
So far from what I have noticed is that the Bridgestones tend to be a bit wider with some pretty good rim protection and I have noticed that the Pirellis usually have a narrower width than the Bridgestones. If you have the money, I would say go for the Micheline Pilot Sport A/S. But if you are looking for a really good all around tire, I have recommended to people the Sumitomo HTR+. Link below.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....reModel=HTR%2B
So far to the people I have recommended this tire too have liked it and some are on their second set because they use it for track days.
I have another set of 15inch alloys for the winter. And I usually use those during the winter season, whether I really use them or not depends on mother nature.
So far from what I have noticed is that the Bridgestones tend to be a bit wider with some pretty good rim protection and I have noticed that the Pirellis usually have a narrower width than the Bridgestones. If you have the money, I would say go for the Micheline Pilot Sport A/S. But if you are looking for a really good all around tire, I have recommended to people the Sumitomo HTR+. Link below.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....reModel=HTR%2B
So far to the people I have recommended this tire too have liked it and some are on their second set because they use it for track days.
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