Looking to upgrade OEM tires, considering 235/45/17's.
Will these fit with factory springs/shocks or should I keep OEM size. Not sure if this will improve apperance /performance,
would appreciate ANY suggestions.

 

Several members here have gone with 235/45/17s on stock rims with ZERO problems. And that size is pretty dead balls on with the stock size.

I say go for it...

 

235/45-17 tires are a little too big for 7" wide wheels. They are designed for wheels with more width. I have heard people having balancing problems with a tire that size on the stock wheel. Otherwise I know some people haven't had any issues with them. Might have something to do with the brand of tire.

I have 225/45-17 tires on my CLS now. They seem to be ok.

I'm sure someone with some 235/45's will chime in.

 

I'm @ 225/45-17 also. I'd stick with that.

 

My first thought was to go with 225/45/17's however they are slightly smaller in diameter than the OEM and I didn't want to contribute to an already wide wheel well gap. Would I be able to even notice the difference? (keeping in mind that I am running factory springs/shocks).

 

I've got kumho ECSTA 235/45 on stocks wheels on stock suspension. No problems balancing when using stickon weights (at NTB). Rim protector on kumhos are too thick. Most tireshops can't install alignment tools. In past posts, people request alignment FIRST, then mount the new tires.

 

Thanks for the alignment info, never really thought about that. I think I might go with the 225/45/17 however I guess I'm just overly concerned that they will reveal to much wheel well and look too small?? I'm hoping someone who has this size tire with stock springs/shocks can offer an opinion.

 

Does anyone know who makes the stock rims for the 2003 CLS? I contacted Acura, but they won't release that info. Also, I know that some people (or may be a lot of people) don't like the stock rims, but I do. I'm hoping to get them in the 7.5 or 8.0 inch width so I can mount the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 235/45ZR17 tires on them.

thanks,
-g

 

Follow-up:

I found out how much the stock rims cost - about $325 ea and they are apparently made by Enkei Enkei. I'll be calling them tomorrow to verify this and to see if they can provide a wider version of the stock rim. One of the reasons I'm avoiding the very nice and expensive Volk Racing rims (LE37Ks @ $550 ea), they would make my car a bigger target.

-g

 

I have Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 225/50/17s. They fit well on my 01 CLS and I got them in a pretty good deal from Costco. To me they ride better in the snow than OEM and they hold tighter to the ground on wet or dry pavement. Longer life as well.

Mike

 

duh ... if you remove the wheel from the car and look at the back of the rim you'll see that the manufacturer is Enkei - it's very clearly displayed. if you don't believe it, then take the other three wheels off and you'll see the same thing. There is nothing on their website that I've seen that looks like this rim, let alone in other sizes.

 

Going with the 225/50/17s seems like an easy way to go. However, I've got a 2003 CLS 6 speed and am consider how these tires would affect the final drive ratios in each gear and speedo.

Reference:

Michelin Pilot MXM4 (stock/OEM), P215/50R17 XL, 25.5 in. overall dia., 819 revs/mi.

Michelin Pilot Sport, A/S 225/50ZR17, 26.1 in. overall dia., 795 revs/mi.

26.1 in. dia. make for a much taller final drive ratio. I guess this might improve gas mileage, but would result in slower acceleration in each gear.

Be curious what you've experienced in performance and speedo changes.

-g

 

duh ... haven't had the wheels off yet and didn't think to look. Thanks for the info.

-g

 

Mike-
Can I ask what you paid for your Pilot Sports from Costco?? I also considered the 225/50/17's because they are slightly taller the OEM, which might actually look BETTER on the CSL??!!
Any Opinions...................................

 

I paid $650.00 for my Pilot A/S from Costco. It's a long story on how I got them that cheap.

I'm pretty sure Costco uses the prices from Tirerack. So expect to pay around $197/tire...

Everyone here rags on me because of the 4x4 look the tires give the CL-S. And they're right. But the handling increase is well worth it.

 

Thanks for the pics, gives a nice visual of what the 225/50/17's look on the car................
Curious why you stayed with the 50 series? Opposed to a 45.

 

What do you need to know about the tire i have these tires in that particular size. I have pics of mine comparing to stock and the Allseasons look more narrow. I say do them even tho they're 235/45 Im telling you they are not wide at all I think because they are all season they decided on not going wide.

If you can host Ill send the pics for informational purposes.

 

225/50 was closer to the overall stock diameter than the 225/45.

I may go with the 45 next time, or step up to a 235/45.

 

Lou, I can host the pics. PM me if you want.

 

Michelin A/S in 235/45 are 811 so you'll be saving some mileage.

 

215/50 on the left - 235/45 on the right


235/45 on a 7.5" rim

 

thank you Scrib see what I mean the 235/45 is not wide at all.

oh and sorry I didn't resize

 

No problem...

The 235s don't look that wide at all...

 

I believe the 235/45/17's are the same diameter as the OEM. It doesn't look like the 235's are much wider than the 215's. Will the 235/45/17 fit the factory rim?

 

I don't want to speak for anyone but I believe people with the Comptech springs and the 225/50 are experiencing some rubbing issues. If you get the 235/45 and get the Comptech will not rub whatsoever unless you get rims then you have to be careful but we'll address that when needed.

oh as far as alignment problems I can not speak about don't have any.

LOU

 

Anyone have pics of 225/45/17's with factory rims/springs/shocks??

 

Hey guys,

Just my $0.02 - I was also kind of worried about the 235/45 issue (not any rubbing, since i'm running stock suspension), but whether the tire would be too wide for the 7" rim. However, when I went to CostCo to order my tires, the lady showed me that 235/45 comes up as a valid and recommended tire size for some tires, for our car!

For reference, I wound up getting the Bridgestone Potenza RE730's in 235/45/17... I was thinking about the Pilots A/S, but it was $215/tire, so I figured it wasn't worth it.

The RE730's came out to $149/tire, including road hazard, mount/balance, etc... (lifetime rotation too, I guess, but I can always do it myself...).

 

Now your asking for too much newb use the search function. Fawking newbie thinks he gets served on a silver platter

 

I bought them from Costco for $215 a tire and Im a fan of Michelin tires...... knock on wood.....never had a problem. Had Toyos all/season in 235/45 and I had to replace 2 of them within a month at a $150 a pop.... so thats when I went with the Michelin A/S and lived happily ever after.

 

You mean "thinks"

 

I paid about $200 per tire, which included a $50 for four Michelin tires discount. Costco mounts, balances and gives a road hazard warrantee. They also do lifetime rotation and balance but I won't use it because they are always backed up and it takes forever. You need to special order and it can take a while. The distributor gives Costco the lowest priority in getting hot tires, because others charge more.

Mike

 

thanks newb

 

What size Micheal :bubbarubb

 

225 50 17 Sorry for the late reply.

Mike

 

I've been looking at mounting those Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 225/50/17s on the stock CLS 03 rims. However, I may need to install the Acura recommended snow chains (cables) where chains are required. Have you or do you see a problem running with these snow chains (cables)?

thanks,
-g

 

I thought I read somewhere (maybe in the owners manual) that Acura doesn't recommend running chains on the CL-S.

 

235/45/17 toyo T1-S ...i might go kuhmo after these....oh btw any one that does 3D alignement can do the 235's on 7 inch wheel no prob. and 3d is the best

 

Damn, you're right. Double checked the manual and in one place it says to use cable type traction devices and in another place it says don't use any chain or cable traction devices on the Type-S.

So how the hell do they (Acura) expect us to drive in the snow? Sounds like my only choice is to get some cheap rims the same size as the stock rims and install snow tires. But that would be a drag. If I need to drive 180 miles to a place that may or may not have snow on the road, I'll wear out these tires quickly.

What about those "use once" plastic type of snow grips?

Any ideas?

thanks,

-g

 

because of the price difference, or are there other reasons?