Dave

Okay, I don't want to beat a dead horse, but should I go with 225 45 17 or 225 50 17; by the way I don't really want to go to a 235 (I need all-season). Also is Discount Tire or Tire Rack the way to go? Thanks for the help!

Silver 2001 cl-s stock

CO-CL-S

Why do you feel compelled to change your tire size? Why not stay with 215/50-17? Why not go 235/45-17 (the 17" size that most closely matches 215/50 for SPeedo/Odo)? My plan is to go with one more set of 215/50-17's before I upgrade to 18" (lack of funds delays that for about one year). To decide whom to buy from, check around and find cost of mount/ballance, etc. and add it up. You might want to use Tire Rack as a base line to locate a good price at other places? YMMV

Scrib

What does a 235 series and needing an all-series tire have to do with each other? If you're stuck on a 225 series tire, go with the 225/50. It's closer to the 215/50 overall diameter.

dbox

i just got sumitumos in 215 50 17 and i love em. stay with the stock tire. i admit i like the look of the michellins better than the sumitumos but the sumos are ALOT BETTER tires. i feel alot of difference

YuppieCL

nah, you're wrong.... i used that javascript tire calculator thingie, and the closest to rolling diameter and odo reading is the 235 / 45 / 17

Scrib

No... I'm right. I said if he's going to a 225 series tire, the 225/50 (versus the 225/45) is closer to the overall diamerter of the 215/50.

You are correct in your statement, but I was talking strictly about the 225s.

JasonT

The pilot A/S come in 235-45-17. Expensive, but worth it from the many reviews. Your really better off going to a 235-45-17 anyway. There's not alot of selection in an all season in the stock size.

YuppieCL

aha.... read your post too fast... gotcha... my bad

Slimey

I have to agree with Scrib. Why would a 235/45 tire and All-Season tire be mutually exclusive. When I upgrade my tires I was planning to go with this size as it keeps the speedometer happy and there are many more tires available in that size.

Like JasonT says: Michelin Pilot A/S Sport in 235/45 is supposed to be a great four season tire.

Dave

Thanks for the advice - sounds like Michelin Pilot Sports AS, 235 45 17; now were talkin'.

Lester_leaps_in

I'm in the middle of the "which tire/which size" decision, too. My Acura dealer, and a couple of local tire dealers, have all told me within the last few days that 235/45/17 is too wide for the stock 7" rim.

Now, I know that a lot of you have put that size tire on that rim, so I'm wondering why the locals are telling me otherwise. Is it cya, in case I have a problem and want to sue them? Or, what?

Wadda ya think?

Slimey

I've looked at a lot of the 235/45/17 sized tires specs and all of them request a 7.5" - 9" wide rim. Most of the 'normalized' measurements are with a 8" wide rim (revolutions per mile, diameter, sidewall height...). I've been curious about this too. Specs on the 225 series tires seem to indicate that the fit our stock rim better, but the speedo/odometer will be slightly off.

It seems that a lot of members here have proved that 235/45 does work. The profile is a little flatter then with an 8" rim, but it seems to work. Most of the members here seem to (at least boast that they) drive their cars hard and I've not seen a post about a blowout with a 235/45 in the stock rim.

Somebody also once mentioned that on the M3, BMW specifically squeezes a wider tire into a relatively undersized rim to get a flatter profile. I looked at the M series specs online and all the wheels are 8" or 9" wide, so I don't see this to be true.

I'm also concerned about the load specification. Our stock tires have a load rating of 93. Many of the aftermarket tires in our stock size have loads of 91. I think the Michelin A/S Pilot Sports were 93 (so that's ok). The Sumitomo HTR+ in the stock size has a 91 load rating. Is there any issue with putting a tire with a lower load rating (say 91 versus the stock 93) on the CL-S? Is that asking for a blowout?

JRock

It's obviously playing with danger. Who knows though. Everyone seems to be okay so far. I guess safety margins are fairly good. I'll need new tires soon (32k and change on the stockers) and I'm looking at 235/45s. I drive pretty aggressively sometimes (I mean on back roads with no one around) so I don't want anything that might blow out. Maybe I should stick to 215s or 225s?

CharlesNguyen

Many have installed 235_45_17 ON THEIR 17x7s w/o any problems. 235-45 is same rolling diam. as 215-50. The problem is that 7" wide is a little tight for 235 ( manufacturers recommend 7.5"+).
235 on 7" wide has the balooning effect - fat sidewalls bulges from the side profile & not getting full flat contact patch as oppose to a 7.5 or wider wheel.

JasonT

Don't know man. My 235-45-17 Toyo's have been on the car for a few months now, & I have drove 1250 straight miles(18 hours) from south FL, to NYC, 2 times, & I haven't had any problems. If a straight 18 hour drive doesn't create a problem with the 235's, on a 7" rim, I don't think they will ever have a problem. Most dealers, & tire makers will recommend a rim width because they are just covering thier ass in case that 1 person out of 1 billion has a problem.

Slimey

Has anyone with 235/45's on stock rims had the installer say something like, "oh, I wouldn't do that...a 7" wheel is out of the 235's specs...it could come off!...well I can do it but I won't give you any warranty/road hazard, et cetera"?

Scrib

I heard the exact same thing from local tire dealers... They said 235 series tires SHOULD be, at minimum, mounted on 7.5" rims. But they also said they'd do it, if that's what I wanted. I ended up with the 225/50s because I got such a great deal on them.

Maybe some more members that have 235 series tires on the stock rims will chime in and give their input.

For what it's worth, my next set of tires will probably be 235/45s.

jimcol711

there are sooooo many members with the 235 series tires on stock rims, and i dont think ANYONE has EVER has a blowout, or any other problem due to the tire slipping off the rim... i definately plan on getting that size regardless of what a dealer might say..we all know it fits

Dave

I think after doing my research, it takes me about three months to buy just a toaster!

The 235-45-17 Michelin Pilot Sport a/s are about $900 for a set of four delivered - then you have to get them mounted and balanced. Another thought - how about going with the Dunlop SP Sport 5000, an all around good tire for about $550 delivered.

With the savings, I would consider buying a lighter wheel along with the Dunlops as a package. I don't know about the weight, but one possibility would be the 5zigen Fighter (titanium). Just my opinion, but might be worth considering.

louisn

Dave, the sumitomo+ are excellent and you can take the tirerack invoice off the internet to Sears and they will match them. Probably less than $500.00.
Z rated-360 treadwear--eerily quiet

jimcol711

not many people have the sumitomo but ive been hearing good tings about them lately....and very cheap price!!

acuraboy_RENAMED

anyone with pics?

i think hard turns and fast off/on ramps would be a more accurate determinant of good tire fit. anyone ever mark their front tire/rim to check for slippage (draw a continuous chalk line from rim to tire and then do some launch/hard brakes)?

pianoman41

There's a guy over on A-TL.com that has Firestone Firehawk 235/45R17s on his TL-S, and that's on stock 6.5" rims. He reports no problems and it doesn't even look out of place.

Lester_leaps_in

Well, I put my Sumitomo HTR+ 235/45/17 tires on earlier this week. So far, so good.

If I have any problems with them, I'll post the details on this forum.

They feel really good, by the way, but they don't look like much. They are rather plain-looking. But, as I said on another thread, my 3rd gear to 4th gear WOT chirp is no longer there.

kaih

I just put on Dunlop SP 9000 225/45/17. Got them shipped from Tirerack for 575. I think they're great. The only problem is they are a little bit smaller than originals and the gap around the wheel well is more obvious but it could just be my imagination. I definately will be getting springs now.

Scrib

WTF you driving??? A Viper???

3rd and 4th gear chirp...


Glad to hear the Sumi's are doing well so far. Keep us all posted on wear over the next few months.

edgalang

That's what I'm saying...but hey..it may be a typo so I'm keeping my mouth shut.

EricL

NO!


But, it depends on the make of the tire...

Some tires in a 235/45-17 will work ok (Toyo T1s fits, but is a pain to align).


And… Technically, the Toyos want a 7.5" minimum...

fender4

fun toy

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

edgalang

Hey EricL, since you seem to know alot about tires...how does putting Sumitomo 235/45-17 on the rears while keeping the stock OEMs in the front sound? Reason why I'm strongly thinking this is that I have 3 fairly brand new tires mixed in with 1 extremely worn one. For the price I'd pay for 1 new OEM tire, I could just add a little more and get 2 sumitomos. Economy is EXTREMELY bad for me at the moment and cannot justify getitng the complete set (unless I can unload the 3 OEM tires to someone).

Eventually I will get all 235/45 tires put on, but for say, at least 6 months...how bad/good would putting wider tires in the rear and OEM in the front sound? I figure with this setup at least I can help alleviate possible oversteer I have with the Neuspeed race bars, instead of putting the stickier tires up front where my rear end could slip again.

Any words of advice?

jimcol711

just put them on a credit card dude....thats all ya gotta do!! pay for it later when things are better for ya

hemants

1. I had firehawk 245/45/17 on my 6.5 inch TLS rims, no problems but to be honest, the only thing I gained was a wider look. Putting a wide tire on a narrow rim moves the flex point towards the shoulder instead of the middle and you end up with better grip under light to medium cornering but more sidewall flex and thus body roll under hard cornering. For handling 215 or 225 would be best IMO. Be careful though, it is very tire specific. The bead design of the Firestones make them suitable for this application. Also, with the flex point moving you need a tire that can dissipate the extra heat that may build up.

2. I've said this a thousand times, the stock diameter that you should match to is 25.68 inches which is what the original TLP/CLP were calibrated to. I doubt they recalibrated for the Type S cars as the tires were only 0.2 inches smaller. Thus 225/50/17 should be considered exactly stock.

edgalang

Thank god you said it 1001 times. I understand your point completely...I will investigate. THanks. Soo...having been the only one to experience 245 series tire...looking back, would you ever recommend it again?

paper1122

Ok here is what I think may be a dumb question, a few people have mentioned that there car looks a bit funny with the 235/45/17's, is it possible to go to 235/55/17's? The reason I ask is because I do a bit of highway driving and I am looking for something that will be quite comfortable. ALso is there a tire comporable to the S-03 but cheaper?

EricL

Being a FWD, my instinct would be to say no.

1. Have you tried seeing if you can get a MXM4 with “some” wear from one of the members that went for tires and wheels early? Have you put up a "can you sell me a single MXM4 posting here and over on the TL board? Check with a tire dealer/Acura dealer for a "used" one?

2. I hesitate to mention the “credit card” (as a previously mentioned), but despite the general advice to stay away from unsecured debt, maybe this is one time that your safety and peace of mind might be worth the interest payments (yes/no?)


I don’t know enough about the characteristics of the Sumitomos to know how much more grip you’re going to be getting at the rear relative to the front (and it could even change depending on different road surfaces and conditions). So, there is the possibility of getting a lot of grip at the rear with the Sumitomos (235/45-17) vs. the stock MXM4s (215/50-17) in the front. The change in diameter is a non-issue, but the change in slip angle and grip under varying conditions could make for a possible safety issue if you ran into some “nasty situation” (there are a lot of meatheads around). It might get kind of dicey in the rain and the break away characteristic could be very different on each end


If this was a RWD and the tires were the same compound/make/model, it would be a no-brainer to just go with the wider/stickier rear tires.

RE: I don’t have the Neuspeed race bars, but I guess you must have added enough roll stiffness to the rear to finally get it loose. Then, there is the issue of actually needing some good grip at the front (in FWD cars) to “pull” the car around in certain situations.

EricL

[
RE: the 235/55-17. They would be 7% off and about 2 inches taller than stock. A search on TireRack for a 235/55-17 returns zero entries. IMO, you would probably have the following problems (emphasis on "probably"):

1. VSA/TCA/Navi would probably get "confused" -- that's a pretty dramatic change in diameter!

2. You would lose about 7% of the torque to the road and that's significant. The tire, if available, would probably weight more and that would also "sap" the power.

3. This is academic, since I can’t find any 235/55-17 (doesn’t mean they aren’t out there somewhere – I just can’t find them right now).

RE: Cheaper S-03s... Well, it really depends on how much cheaper and what other trade-offs you would be willing to make.
There are the Falken AZENIS Sport (RS) in a 225/45-17 (the load ratings are kind of low at 90 and could be a problem depending on temperature, load, and speed). They are very sticky and they are not as expensive as the S-03.



$106 in a 225/45-17 and $111 in a 245/45-17 (you would probably want a wider wheel as they are supposed to be WIDE for their side.

As with all things, road harshness, road noise, hydroplane resistance and other factors are going to be different that the S-03.

YMMV

JRock

Well I have two 225/45 tires that are within 2% of stock rpms and meet the weight and rim width requirements of our tires.

Falken Zeix 512s and Yokohama AVS ES100s.

I'm going with Yokohama AVS ES100s in 225/45/17, probably W rating.

Is there any reason to get these tires in a DIFFERENT size like 215/50 or 235/xx? If they're even available in those sizes and still meet our rim/weight requirements...

buyck

Does this imply that you are dissatisfied with the Michelin Sport A/S 225/50's? I am thinking of getting them in the same size.