Rite now I think I have 245/50/17's with all the potholes here in NYC can I go with a slightly larger tire while retaining the stock wheels?

What size would it be? Or just leave it alone?

 

You could go 225/55-17 and still use the stock wheels.

You could not go the other way, 275/45-17 because the wheels are not wide enough, but more importantly, they don't exist in that size, but I don't think you want to go that way anyway.

That is my 2 cents

 

225/55 or 245/55??

 

225/55 or 245/55

 

225/55. You need to keep the overall diameter of the tire as close as possible to the OEM diameter. Somewhere within 2% or so. If you don't your speedometer will be off = (percent off) x (pi) %. Use this calculator to see what we mean. Either way, OEM or 225/55, will end up in essentially the same sidewall.

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

 

What would I gain? A bit taller sidewall but a bit narrower?

 

I would think 235/55 would be better, I wanted to go wider/taller not smaller.....

 

You gain nothing. You lose width. To get what you're looking for you would have to go to something like a 245/55/17. There are hardly any tires made in that size. The RL has a fairly large wheel/tire package as-is IMO. You've got about as much sidewall as you're gonna get. I would leave it.

 

You can go 245/45/18. I am almost ready to sell stock wheels separately...

 

^^^ He wants MOAR sidewall not less.

 

I'm also in New York and the RL is a soft soft ride.

If tires get damaged, www.discounttiredirect.com road hazard warranty is the answer.

If more cushiness is required, Continental tires are pretty soft vs Michelins.