Best Tyres to Use?!

**JDX-SRI** · 30th January 2010, 20:59

Hi,

Both my front tyres will need changing soon....

Currently they have Goodyear NCT tyres on them and I have always used Bridgestone ER300 on my other cars

Size is 215/50/R17/91W

Does anyone have any recommendations?

**dudley6623** · 30th January 2010, 21:27

I currently got MAXXIS MAV 1s on the front and am just about to get the same on the back, ive found there great grip wise, in both snow, ice, wet and dry, cost me bout £70 each

**John35** · 30th January 2010, 23:15

buy 225/45 17 tyres as they are cheaper and are a recommended alternative size in the handbook.

try blackcircles.com or camskill (if you can get them fitted yourself)

**JDX-SRI** · 30th January 2010, 23:20

Originally Posted by John35

buy 225/45 17 tyres as they are cheaper and are a recommended alternative size in the handbook.

I never knew I could do that ... I always thought you had to keep the same width etc as the originals due to the actual alloy itself!

How come they're cheaper if they're wider?

**John35** · 30th January 2010, 23:24

If you go to the tyre section in the handbook they are shown as an alternative for the wheel size so don't worry about that. As long both tyres are the same size on an axle then everything is fine (think of a Lamborghini which has enormous rear tyres compared to the front)
I believe the 225/45 are cheaper as they are a more popular size fitted to mass production cars. Supply and demand rules.

**JDX-SRI** · 30th January 2010, 23:31

That's very interesting ...Thanks!

One last question though ... Because the profile is 45 instead of 50 (i know that's the height of the sidewal as a % of the width) ... but would that not make a slightly bigger gap on the front wheels than the back wheels?

**John35** · 30th January 2010, 23:32

it will do but only by a few mm.

Have look at........http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...=225%2F50%2F17

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

**JDX-SRI** · 30th January 2010, 23:54

According to the calc it would be 12.5mm less in Diameter

Do you not think that's quite noticeable?

**eashton** · 31st January 2010, 00:28

I've got 225/45/17 on front and 215/50/17 on rear and can honestly not tell the difference and I will be getting 225/45/17 all round soon.

**JDX-SRI** · 31st January 2010, 00:32

I suppose if you can't notice I wouldnt mind - I would be planning on getting same on back as well when they needed changed!

Have you got any pics of yours?