Moved to 225/45/17 from 215/50/17

[Envy]

I had my new Kumho's 225/45/17 KH31 fitted this afternoon. I used to have 215/50/17 Goodyear NCT's. Thanks for the recommendation FastBatard

So far I have only put on around 20 miles but the road noise is slightly less and I do feel more planted on the road. I will do about 500 miles next week going to and from work so I will get a better idea on how they perform.

I have seen some posts asking what the car would look like after fitting a lower profile so I thought I would post some pics of my somewhat dirty car. Mine is a Sri Model and I think it’s lowered by 15mm all round as standard. Might be something to bear in mind.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[gtr1000]

Front arch gap looks too big for a SRi, with or without 225's. Did it look like this with the 215's?

[hairy31]

i agree,,,,,,thar gap looks huge

[Envy]

hmm now that you point this out it is a tad huge.

I will go and look at it tomorrow. And no it never looked that big with the 215's on.

Oh one thing comes to mind. I found that this car had evidence of a front end smash before I got her. I wonder if they had to replace springs and just got standard items instead of Sri items.

Will investigate further ....

[fastbatard]

No worries, glad you're getting on with them, they are good tyres in my experience. Your car looks well, I sometimes wish I'd hung out for the SRI model if only for those wheels! Although I am grateful of my 16's when it comes to paying for tyres!!

[gtr1000]

What you need mate is for someone with 225's and "standard" SRi springs, to measure their ride heights. Measure vertically from the centre of the wheel cap to the arch and then compare to yours.

EDIT - FWIW, these are the measurements I took on my GSi (same springs as the SRi?). Bear in mind I took these from the ground to arch. http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...ghlight=height

Even VX TIS2000 doesn't give ride height values for the front, only the rears.

[Envy]

Thx GTR1000

I looked at it today and its still the same humpff. At least three vertical finger gap (almost four) at the front when at the back I can only just about fit two fingers. No jokes please

I think im going to get some Pi or Eibach springs to remedy the situation. Just been looking for the right excuse to buy them to be honest. The in house lady lodger will not be pleased but hey ho you can't win em all. Then again I have bought the kids xmas pressies already ....

I do have to say that the Kumho's feel great to drive on compared to the NCT's. So much more grip, less road noise and the bumps feel about the same with the lower profile. So something has come good out of this.

Thanks for your info though.

[Das]

Gap looks ok to me.....

[Envy]

Im not sure Dasarab but thanks for your comment chum. The more I look at it the more it seems to enlarge. Anyhow my xmas gift to myself of new springs should sort it out. Just have to find someone to fit them in the New Year.

I did fit new front end springs once on my 1978 Formula 400 Pontiac Firebird (now gone and missed greatly) That endeavour put me off for life ! Damn them springs phwaaang when they come off. Obviously im not a pro