Anyone running a 205/50 on a 17x8?

[jhower08]

However, I think 205/40-17 would look stupid on an E34. It's already too small on an E36 (doesn't fill the arches properly because it's like 1.5" undersized in diameter) and it would be even worse on a car that came with larger tires from the factory.

Finally, someone that understands where I'm coming from!

[Ollie]

That's some bullshit. Your car probably has 2 feet of front bumper clearance. Like Sean I am tucking more than half the tire on a 205/40-17 and I have never once touched my front bumper on anything! Sean and I both daily our cars as well. They are probably a good 4 or 5 inches lower than yours.

lol this made me laugh. Only because it's true.

[MParallel]

Well guys I'm not making things up, that's all I'm saying. Why would I? Would save me a set of new tyres anyways.

As I have a vert I also have an x-brace, which on the stock M suspension and 205/40 tyres, was all but touching the ground.

You guys have probably never driven your cars in Holland, I'm sure about that. My car wouldn't last the end of the street, digging into every speedbump and incline.

That's just the way it is. 205/40 and no wheelgap (not even tucking) has my front lip on the ground, with mm to spare.

So I won't have the StanceWorks stance. I have to deal with it. (And I'm OK with it).

Digi I have seen pics of your car while your drive it, lip just clearing the ground. If I'd be like that, my bumper would be destroyed pretty quickly.

I've also kind of had it with the rubber band tyres.

I came across this E30:





Honestly, I think the fat tyre on the rear looks nice. Maybe because of the deep dish, I dunno. (Ok if the tyre wasn't stretched it would look bad).

Russell: 205 on my 8's are stretched, but I know it matters alot what make tyre you use.

[SeanDub]

Post pics, because no 205 that I can think of would be that stretched an 8.

Also, ground clearance issues on stock suspension? I find it hard to believe.

[Digitalwave]

That's just the way it is. 205/40 and no wheelgap (not even tucking) has my front lip on the ground, with mm to spare.

Does not compute:



By the way Sean and I are both running 205/40 and we still seem to have a front bumper.

[MParallel]

By the way Sean and I are both running 205/40 and we still seem to have a front bumper.

Of course you do!

But you live 5000 miles from here.

Drive your car here and see what's left of your bumper than.

To give you an example

The local mall's parking garage downslope here would have your front wheels up in the air with the car's underside stuck in the middle of the skirts.

I went in there 2 weeks ago. On my 215/50 all around winter tyres. I stopped the car when my seat was at the edge and front wheels down on the slope.
I had 2" to spare. With my 205/40's I dragged the underside over the slope.

DW, you even mention it yourself that 205/40's are 1.5" undersized. And now I'm crazy for saying I had clearance issue's?

With it being a vert and having the x-brace under the sump, it's even worse. This thing plows into everything.


Sean: here's the 205's Potenza's on the 8". I didn't say it was extreme stretch, just for the record, but stretched nontheless.



Don't mind the gap. This was 2008, the RS have been in storage since October and will be untill my PSS9's and adjustable camber arms are fitted.

Maybe I should just go for 18" RS's. Easy slamming even with rubberband tyres and more than enough ground clearance.


And for reference sake, here's an example of 215/50's (my winter wheels)





...compared to 215/40

[Digitalwave]

Sure, I have never driven in the Netherlands. But have you driven in south Florida?

[low_offset]

Post pics, because no 205 that I can think of would be that stretched an 8.

i use Falken ZE512 205/40 on a 8" wheel and have a very nice stretch

[MParallel]

Sure, I have never driven in the Netherlands. But have you driven in south Florida?

No I haven't. But I can't imagine it being worse than here.

So how are the roads there?

[B Rod]

i use Falken ZE512 205/40 on a 8" wheel and have a very nice stretch

Holy shit dude. Looks like Falkens run skinnier than Fuzions.

[s4cr]

I really don't think that roads are worse in Netherlands than in Lithuania..oh, and i daily drive my car on the gravel roads. And sometimes in the forests.. no issues. soooooo.....

That's some bullshit. Your car probably has 2 feet of front bumper clearance. Like Sean I am tucking more than half the tire on a 205/40-17 and I have never once touched my front bumper on anything! Sean and I both daily our cars as well. They are probably a good 4 or 5 inches lower than yours.





However, I think 205/40-17 would look stupid on an E34. It's already too small on an E36 (doesn't fill the arches properly because it's like 1.5" undersized in diameter) and it would be even worse on a car that came with larger tires from the factory.

clearance from the front bumper to the ground, please?

[SeanDub]

Frame is just under 2" off the ground, I'm sure TJ is close to that as well.

No idea on the bumper

[s4cr]

Frame is just under 2" off the ground, I'm sure TJ is close to that as well.

No idea on the bumper

could you please check it, when you have time? i'm really curious

[MParallel]

I really don't think that roads are worse in Netherlands than in Lithuania....

I'm pretty sure about that. We have very good roads. Things is, we have more speedbumps than you can lay your finger at. It's rediculous. I just need more than 2" clearance.

Well after doing some searching it looks like Bridgestone doesn't do 215/50-17 Potenza tyres (well not the RE50A's I want), which mean I'll opt for 205 and 215/45 after all.