I can't justify buying new rims at this time for my 2003 CL-S but want better tires. Is it better to go one size up from the stock to say (225/50/17) or go with (235/45/17)? Or should I stay with the stock size and just get better tires?

P.S. My driving style is not overly agressive but I would like a little more grip.

Thanks!

 

I did a lot of looking at this issue, partly because I had a pulling problem with the OEM Michelins. Tire Rack wanted to sell me 225/50/17's but I just couldn't fathom raising the car up further. It is so high already it looks like a Xover vehicle. But Tire Rack wouldn't sell the 235/45/17s because they're rated for a wider rim -- at least 7 1/2". So I did buy new rims and the 235/45/17s -- Michelin pilotsport AS. I wasn't particularly enamored of the OEM rims anyway so I don't miss them. You can get pretty good and nice 7 1/2 or 8" rims for not too much, and the tires fit right then. There might be some insurance concern if your tires are not rated for the rims and they blow and your car is damaged...


03 6spd
17x8" OZ Racing wheels

 

I had to buy a new set of tires after some bubbling in the stock Michelins, and pondered the same questions that you have.

If you go with stock sized tires (215/50-17), you'll find a very small selection to choose from. Remember, you are not only trying to match size, but load rating (93 or greater), and speed rating (V or greater).

If you go with 225 series tires (either 225/45-17 or 225/50-17) you're odometer/speedometer will be slightly off. Most folks have not cared at all about this. I do.

If you go with 235/45-17 tires, you will mount them out of spec. They require a 7.5" or greater rim width. Once again, many have mounted these tires out of spec without any issues. I did not want to mount an out of spec tire on my car.

You will find a MUCH larger choice of tires in the 235 series size, and the odometer/speedometer will remain very close to stock.

I went through all these issues and ultimately bought a new set of rims so I could fit my car with 235 series tires within spec. I thought that I'd get a larger group of properly sized tires to choose from with a larger rim. Over the life of my car, I'd have better choices for tires with the larger rim.

I got my SSR GT1s in 17"x7.5" from TireRack for $300 each. They're well worth it. They're well made forged rims that are lightweight. I have no rubbing whatsoever with a Comptech drop. The SSR Compititions are also pretty nice. I also thought about the OZ as well.

 

only one thing to say about this fawk those stupid 17 x 7 size wheels leave that size for the Civics. I strongly believe this car belongs on 235/45 zr 17 with a 93 rating or above....Scooters Perillis Pzero nero speros are real hot also

 

Agreed.

I think that it's pretty annoying that Acura chose a stock tire size that has a very limited selection to choose from.

They should have picked something that gives the owner a variety of choices over the life of the car. 215/50-17 really doesn't allow that.

 

Check my sig!!!!

 

I chose to stay with the stock rims and standard size tire, so decided to go with Yoko's AVS ES-100's, 215/50/17's. There nice and sticky, corner well and look great. If I should consider a larger tire in the future, then I'd problably go to an 18" wheel.

 

.5"-1" will not matter. The Toyo's I have are rated at 7.5" I do agree you could be in trouble if you had a big difference like a wide ass tire 265 or more on a 7" wide rim. There are just so many people that have no problems with a 235 on stock rims.

As far as Tire Rack, they only say that to avoid insurance problems with them. I'd never buy tires from them anyway.

 

it's freaky how well these tires hold compared to the Pilot Sport A/S's...since the PZero Nero's load rating is about 500 pounds MORE than the Pilot Sport A/S's, it BETTER b noticeable

i sound like a broken record, but i gotta push to support the PZero Nero's in 235/45/17 size specifically b/c it's an extra load tire, and considering this car's weight, u need all the support u can get...if u want other sizes, the load rating is pretty similar to other max perf. tires like Pilot Sports or S03's, so the choice is not as easy

 

Just put on the Sumitomo HTR+ in stock siz . They are excellent in all categories - especially wet grip. Highly recommended to anyone needing to swap out theor OEM Michelins. Tirerack.com at $77 each - how can you beat that???

 

I got my Sumotomo HTR+ because I wanted an all-season tire, but have been following the PZero Neros. We'll see how I like the HTR+ in the winter. If I don't, I might go to a separate summer and winter setup.

I think that the PZero Nero and the Toyo T1S Proxes are the only tires in 235/45-17 with re-enforced casings and very high load ratings. I think that only the Michelin MXM4 El-Yucko OEMs are the only 215/50-17 sized tire with the re-enforced casing and high load rating. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

can't say for certain if yer right or not, but what i can tell u is the PZero Nero's have over 300 pounds load on top of the Proxes, and that's a BIG difference...and the PZero Nero's have almost 400 pounds load on top of the S03's...the contact patch, diameter, revs per mile, and every other spec is right in line with all the other max perf. tires, so for the 235/45/17 size, there's NO reason y u shouldn't logically take the PZero Nero's, assuming cost isn't a factor (even tho the PZero Nero is priced at $160 each)

 

I plan to buy 225/50/17s at some point. The difference in ride height will be 1.5% of the stock ride height. Its a non issue.

 

Thanks for all your input guys! Now I'm more informed as to which way to go for tires/rims.