Hello all,

What differences would I notice - I have been advise to go for both of these sizes - but not sure which. I know the classic fitment would be 215/40/17 but many advise on 215/45/17 instead - any views?

Brian

 

I've found this a help regarding speedo readings.

Tire size calculator

Maybe no use to you, but it won't do any harm to look.
cheers mo

 

correct size for 17's on a classic is 205/45/17

got 215/40/17 on mine,not a lot in it tbh

215/40/17's normally work out cheaper tho'

 

tried 215/40 and felt every bump in the road, 215/45 was much better i thought

 

agreed as tried both on my old classic

 

Cheers guys

 

Tyre calculator I used gave me 215/40. Now on my third set. Not had any problems.

Alcazar

 

well its up to yourself but feel they are too hard over bumps in road and general about town driving

 

The direct replacement for 205 50 16, on Classics, is 215 40 17.
This drops the gearing a little so the already over reading speedo over reads a little more.
215 45 17 is also acceptable and raises the gearing so the speedo reads closer to true speed.
Many New Age cars come with 215 45 17 as O/E fitment.
Tyre circumference, for the same size/profile, from manufacturer to manufacturer varies slightly.
On a classic, I prefer the 215 40 17 over the 45 profile because of the perceived better road holding but I think there is more to do with actual tyre make than 40/45 profile.
I also run 205 55 16 Vederstein and these are a fantastic all round wet winter tyre.

 

It depends if you want to lower the car, I have 215/40/17 on STi 7 rims on my MY00 classic, the car has been lowered 40mm at the front and 35mm at the back and the same wheels with 45s on would not fit in the arches. I also have KW coilover suspension so the 53ET of the STI wheels is not a problem.

 

"The OEM 16x7in wheel comes with a 205/50x16 tyre. Wheel offset is 53mm.

Prodrive 17x7in wheels come with 205/45x17in Pirellis as they are their rally team sponsor. Wheel offset is 52mm. The tyre is nominally 0.8% larger circumference over OEM.

Most people fit 215/40x17 replacements as there is a much greater choice of good tyres in this size. It is nominally 1.2% smaller circumference.

A 215/45x17 tyre is nominally 2.3% larger circumference than 205/50x16.

Tyre sizes are nominal, not actual, and different brands can vary in width by 5mm or more on the same wheel. Fitting them to wider wheels, eg 7.5x17, will introduce further variation. When these factors are combined with after-market wheels with off-sets typically varying between 45mm and 52mm for Classic Scoobs, it explains why some people get rubbing on the outside rear arch while others don't.

The difference in circumference between a new tyre and a worn out tyre is less than 1%.

The SIDC faq is good, but not 100% correct and somewhat out of date, eg the Bridgestone SO-2pp has not been available for at least two years.

The Road Angel GPS speed camera detector shows actual speed. Some other similar devices are set to over-read slightly, ie they say you are going faster than you are. My speedo on a MY00 Classic over-reads by approx 10% at low speeds and 5% at high speeds.

If you fit 215/40x17 tyres to a 17x7in wheel with an off-set between 50-52mm, you will not have any problems on a Classic. If you fit 215/45x17 to the same wheel (note the off-set) you will be okay with rubbing, but you will have eaten into the safety margin provided by the speedo by 2.3%. Check it with a Road Angel to find the exact difference at various speeds so you are not caught out."

 

Sorry - to confirm, above info is for a classic