245/40/17s vs 235/45 vs 255/40 performance and look
Apr 7, 2011, 09:05 AM
#1
245/40/17s vs 235/45 vs 255/40 performance and look
I'm debating over these 3 sizes of tires for performance and looks. This year is going to be a budget season and won't be running separate race tires at the track really. This is not a DD but it is a street car also, though mostly for beat runs and very aggressive driving (corning mostly)
As for looks I dislike when a tire looks to small for the wheel well or has a large gap. Stock BBS wheels and stock Advans look just fine, car looks pretty mean with the 255/40 (BFG R1's and Advans R comps)
I'm also concerned with rubbing on the fenders. Never had an issue with rubbing so far with 255's but someone mentioned they did with the Hancook RS3's that I'm trying to pick between.
So I guess what I'm looking for is any input on the performance side between the 3 sizes and also if someone can post up pic of an EVO with 245/40/17's on their car.
As for looks I dislike when a tire looks to small for the wheel well or has a large gap. Stock BBS wheels and stock Advans look just fine, car looks pretty mean with the 255/40 (BFG R1's and Advans R comps)
I'm also concerned with rubbing on the fenders. Never had an issue with rubbing so far with 255's but someone mentioned they did with the Hancook RS3's that I'm trying to pick between.
So I guess what I'm looking for is any input on the performance side between the 3 sizes and also if someone can post up pic of an EVO with 245/40/17's on their car.
Apr 7, 2011, 04:36 PM
#2
Many run the 245/40-17 with great luck. There are a few here with the 255's also, but I know a couple of them have rub issues especially when track cornering forces are involved. The 235's are 25.3", the 245's 24.7", and the 255's 25" so you won't really notice any more/less fender gap between them.
Apr 7, 2011, 08:41 PM
#3
You should be fine with any of those in a non-R-comp tire.
I'm running 245/45 and I think I'm gonna stick with this size from now on. Its a bit taller than stock a bit wider and much more readily available than 235/45.
Those RS3's have a soft side wall.... fine for the average yahoo that thinks they can drive but you are a bit more serious than the average guy. I would save a few more bills and get the best street tire you can afford.
You can have the fanciest suspension and alignment out there but if you cheap out on tires you aren't getting what you paid for. THE TIRE YOU CHOOSE WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOUR EVO.
I'm running 245/45 and I think I'm gonna stick with this size from now on. Its a bit taller than stock a bit wider and much more readily available than 235/45.
Those RS3's have a soft side wall.... fine for the average yahoo that thinks they can drive but you are a bit more serious than the average guy. I would save a few more bills and get the best street tire you can afford.
You can have the fanciest suspension and alignment out there but if you cheap out on tires you aren't getting what you paid for. THE TIRE YOU CHOOSE WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOUR EVO.
Apr 8, 2011, 12:24 AM
#4
in terms of the way a tire looks on the car, i've found besides the tire's width and aspect ratio, it also depends on the wheel's width and offset
right now i have (arranged from newest to oldest, and also the best looking to the least IMO)
255/40R17 Nitto NT01 + 17x9 +15 TE37s - a good amount of tire and looks squared/flush, the best looking out of all the choices IMO
245/45R17 Fuzion HRI + 17x9 +20 BBS LMs - a little too tall and ever so slightly stretched on a 9" wheel
in the past, i've run:
245/40R17 Starspecs on 17x8.5 +31 Advan RGs - definitely looks too short
275/40R17 NT01s + 17x9.5 +30 Rota P45R - definitely too tall and chunky for my taste (though its actually about the same height as the 245/45R17)
keep in mind that not all tires are made the same size - a 255 wide Federal RS-R is actually significantly than other companies 255s for example. also, sportier tires tend to have more "squared off" shoulders when compared to all seasons, and that makes a difference in looks too. functionality is a whole different thing though. i admire the guys that run 10.5 +3x offset running 285+ width tires on stock body CT9As
as for max summer performance tires short of going all out to an R comp, i'm sure you won't be disappointed with either Starspecs, RE11s or AD08s. some people have had good results with the newer Hankook RS-3s and Federal RS-Rs. they're both a good bit cheaper to boot, so you might want to look into those.
HTH
right now i have (arranged from newest to oldest, and also the best looking to the least IMO)
255/40R17 Nitto NT01 + 17x9 +15 TE37s - a good amount of tire and looks squared/flush, the best looking out of all the choices IMO
245/45R17 Fuzion HRI + 17x9 +20 BBS LMs - a little too tall and ever so slightly stretched on a 9" wheel
in the past, i've run:
245/40R17 Starspecs on 17x8.5 +31 Advan RGs - definitely looks too short
275/40R17 NT01s + 17x9.5 +30 Rota P45R - definitely too tall and chunky for my taste (though its actually about the same height as the 245/45R17)
keep in mind that not all tires are made the same size - a 255 wide Federal RS-R is actually significantly than other companies 255s for example. also, sportier tires tend to have more "squared off" shoulders when compared to all seasons, and that makes a difference in looks too. functionality is a whole different thing though. i admire the guys that run 10.5 +3x offset running 285+ width tires on stock body CT9As
as for max summer performance tires short of going all out to an R comp, i'm sure you won't be disappointed with either Starspecs, RE11s or AD08s. some people have had good results with the newer Hankook RS-3s and Federal RS-Rs. they're both a good bit cheaper to boot, so you might want to look into those.
HTH
Apr 8, 2011, 12:34 AM
#5
one more thing, height is also directly proportional to the size of the tire patch. besides lengthening your gear ratios, a taller tire is actually provides more grip than a shorter one assuming all things equal.
the main reason i don't like 245/40R17 is that since its shorter than stock (and it looks that way), it makes the Evo's gears shorter than it already is. in the end, it depends on the purpose of your car
the main reason i don't like 245/40R17 is that since its shorter than stock (and it looks that way), it makes the Evo's gears shorter than it already is. in the end, it depends on the purpose of your car
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Apr 8, 2011, 04:26 AM
#9
I'm debating over these 3 sizes of tires for performance and looks. This year is going to be a budget season and won't be running separate race tires at the track really. This is not a DD but it is a street car also, though mostly for beat runs and very aggressive driving (corning mostly)
As for looks I dislike when a tire looks to small for the wheel well or has a large gap. Stock BBS wheels and stock Advans look just fine, car looks pretty mean with the 255/40 (BFG R1's and Advans R comps)
I'm also concerned with rubbing on the fenders. Never had an issue with rubbing so far with 255's but someone mentioned they did with the Hancook RS3's that I'm trying to pick between.
So I guess what I'm looking for is any input on the performance side between the 3 sizes and also if someone can post up pic of an EVO with 245/40/17's on their car.
As for looks I dislike when a tire looks to small for the wheel well or has a large gap. Stock BBS wheels and stock Advans look just fine, car looks pretty mean with the 255/40 (BFG R1's and Advans R comps)
I'm also concerned with rubbing on the fenders. Never had an issue with rubbing so far with 255's but someone mentioned they did with the Hancook RS3's that I'm trying to pick between.
So I guess what I'm looking for is any input on the performance side between the 3 sizes and also if someone can post up pic of an EVO with 245/40/17's on their car.
Apr 8, 2011, 07:43 AM
#10
Maybe its cause Ive been looking at 235/45's for more than a decade, but going to a 245/40 is noticably shorter than stock and really bugs me. EvoIX gearing is also really short with the exception of 1st, so the taller 245/45 would be preferable to me.
Apr 8, 2011, 07:55 AM
#12
Fightex.. thank you for the pictures and great break down, very nice.
Jeff... I don't know what other tires to look at besides Star specs which I'm a tad questionable of, due to so many people having peeling issues.
As mentioned it's a budget season, so buying another set of Advans or anything like that is out of the picture this year.
Jeff... I don't know what other tires to look at besides Star specs which I'm a tad questionable of, due to so many people having peeling issues.
As mentioned it's a budget season, so buying another set of Advans or anything like that is out of the picture this year.
Apr 9, 2011, 03:14 AM
#13
the question you got to ask yourself is, are you going to be upgrading to a different wheel (17x9, 17x9.5 etc. where you can make use of the 255/40R17) anytime soon? if you are, then get the 255/40R17 hands down.
if not, i would suggest just sticking with 235/45R17 or 245/45R17 if you drag race or want the extra gearing. 255/40R17 on a 8" can be done and many people do it, but you give up turn in which makes for soggier response.
good luck
if not, i would suggest just sticking with 235/45R17 or 245/45R17 if you drag race or want the extra gearing. 255/40R17 on a 8" can be done and many people do it, but you give up turn in which makes for soggier response.
good luck
