MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: andibell on October 12, 2024, 10:51

Title: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: andibell on October 12, 2024, 10:51
I've searched and searched and can't seem to find an answer...

I've got a set of 17" wheels that came off a car that was broken following engine failure.  They were on my car for a while but with the suspension setup I had then (Tein Superstreet), they were too crashy and on firm on super low profile tyres.  I took them off and put stock FL 16/15 combo on.  I've since swapped the suspension back to almost stock (standard shocks with 30mm lower springs (I think Bilstein).  I'm thinking about putting the 17's back on as I need new tyres all round so it's a good excuse.  Except, I can't find anything that says what tyre sizes will definitely fit.
I want to keep something close to the staggered width difference and get a decent brand as it will get driven over the winter, although not much as I work from home.

I think that 205/40's will go on the front and 225/35 on the rear, but can anyone who's running 17's all round confirm please?

And I know lots of people don't recommend 17's all round and all the reasons why  ;D
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: Topdownman on October 12, 2024, 13:06
Have you tried using a website like this?

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=215&aspect=45&diameter=16&wheelwidth=7&offset=45&width2=225&aspect2=45&wheel_size=16&wheel_width=7&offset2=45 (https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=215&aspect=45&diameter=16&wheelwidth=7&offset=45&width2=225&aspect2=45&wheel_size=16&wheel_width=7&offset2=45)

Use the original wheel size for comparison and try the different options you are considering to see how they would be?

(No personal experience of 17s on a 2).
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: Carolyn on October 12, 2024, 13:46
@shnazzle ran 17's for a while - he may well have some useful info.
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: andibell on October 12, 2024, 14:00
Quote from: Topdownman on October 12, 2024, 13:06Have you tried using a website like this?

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=215&aspect=45&diameter=16&wheelwidth=7&offset=45&width2=225&aspect2=45&wheel_size=16&wheel_width=7&offset2=45 (https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=215&aspect=45&diameter=16&wheelwidth=7&offset=45&width2=225&aspect2=45&wheel_size=16&wheel_width=7&offset2=45)

Use the original wheel size for comparison and try the different options you are considering to see how they would be?

(No personal experience of 17s on a 2).

Thanks - I did look there but just got more confused  ;D  The closest size for the fronts isn't one that seems to be available anywhere. 
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: shnazzle on October 12, 2024, 15:06
Just don't do it. Simple as that. Unless it's purely for looks or you've got track suspension and aiming for a top speed track....just don't do it.

Looks great. No doubt about it. Fills the arches lovely.
Finding tyres, scraping, the harsh ride, the expense of the odd-sized tyres (for which you have to find two odd sizes)...it's a royal pain 
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: andibell on October 12, 2024, 16:49
Beginning to wonder if that's the answer.  Really bored with the standard wheels though.
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: Alex Knight on October 12, 2024, 17:56
Quote from: andibell on October 12, 2024, 16:49Beginning to wonder if that's the answer.  Really bored with the standard wheels though.

I think mine looks nice on 15s.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48839052511_b26759f017_o.jpg)

17s will make your car drive less well.
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: McMr2 on October 12, 2024, 18:27
Quote from: andibell on October 12, 2024, 16:49Beginning to wonder if that's the answer.  Really bored with the standard wheels though.

Hard to guarantee fitment if you deviate from the standard setup, even tyres from different manufacturers with identical sizing are likely to fit differently. When I first replaced the tyres on mine the tyre fitter wanted me to sign a waiver for going up one increment on the tyre width incase it rubbed (it didn't).

FWIW I've come full circle and planning to go back to the standard FL wheels once I get them refurbished.

Offset on your 17s will have an impact too, not just for rubbing but these cars seem really sensitive to wheel/tyre setup in the way that they drive.
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: andibell on October 13, 2024, 10:07
Quote from: Alex Knight on October 12, 2024, 17:56I think mine looks nice on 15s.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48839052511_b26759f017_o.jpg)

17s will make your car drive less well.

It definitely does.  They're really good looking wheels.
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: Beachbum957 on October 13, 2024, 13:07
In the US, a number of people run 17", I suspect mostly for looks.  Typical sizes are 205/40-17 front and 215/40-17 or 225/40-17 rear. They seem to work fairly well if the wheel offset is close to stock.  Tire selection seems very limited.
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: Gaz mr-s on October 13, 2024, 13:27
Quote from: andibell on October 12, 2024, 16:49Beginning to wonder if that's the answer.  Really bored with the standard wheels though.

I agree with stock looking boring. I don't like adding weight, but unless you spend around £1k on wheels, it probably will.  I have 15's/16's but had to buy a 7J front, - not much is available in narrower widths & in the ET fitment range.

I also bought a set of 16's (staggered tyres) to take advantage of the newest 16" tyres. (195 front I think) The car was on slightly tired shocks & it certainly didn't feel better, but they weren't in use for a firm judgement.

I have no time for idiots who put on ridiculous widths on these cars.   An American posted on F'book about having 9" fronts & 10" rears.  Toyota built the car to under 1000kg, then muppets go add god knows how much in rotating mass....
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: andibell on October 13, 2024, 13:49
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on October 13, 2024, 13:27I agree with stock looking boring. I don't like adding weight, but unless you spend around £1k on wheels, it probably will.  I have 15's/16's but had to buy a 7J front, - not much is available in narrower widths & in the ET fitment range.

I also bought a set of 16's (staggered tyres) to take advantage of the newest 16" tyres. (195 front I think) The car was on slightly tired shocks & it certainly didn't feel better, but they weren't in use for a firm judgement.

I have no time for idiots who put on ridiculous widths on these cars.   An American posted on F'book about having 9" fronts & 10" rears.  Toyota built the car to under 1000kg, then muppets go add god knows how much in rotating mass....

I've had the 16s off the rear, well one at least, for a comparison with the 17s and the weight is almost identical, so putting them on will add a little to the front, but not a significant amount.  They seem to be decent wheels, no idea what brand they are, except it says 'made in Italy' inside. 

Found one old photo from when they were last on the car...

(https://i.ibb.co/FWjCdk7/IMG-2449.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FWjCdk7)
Title: Re: Tyre Sizes on 17" Wheels
Post by: Gaz mr-s on October 13, 2024, 15:27
Quote from: andibell on October 13, 2024, 13:49I've had the 16s off the rear, well one at least, for a comparison with the 17s and the weight is almost identical, so putting them on will add a little to the front, but not a significant amount.  They seem to be decent wheels, no idea what brand they are, except it says 'made in Italy' inside. 

Found one old photo from when they were last on the car...

(https://i.ibb.co/FWjCdk7/IMG-2449.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FWjCdk7)


If you're meaning the 17's, - heed what Shnazzle says. Been around a long time & tried this n'that.     
A big part of it for me is tyre choice, - what you can get for the wheel size selected....?