After Market TIRES on stock 17" wheels

[mmcdonald]

Okay, no ribbing. Honestly, I need to retain the stock 17" rims on the 04 Solara. I want to get a new set of tires (after 30K on the Turanza things) but I would like to bump them up a bit.

The best tires I have found in the stock 215/55 17 are the Avon Tech M550 A/S (yes, that's all season) that are WR rated for $110 each on TireRack.

What about 225 55 or 50? Has anyone done this? Any handling issues?

Please don't suggest 18" or bigger rims, cause I can't get away with that. The boss wouldn't let me.

[mmcdonald]

So the 225/55 then? I could do that, although that would introduce some sidewall flexing.

At the current 215/55 versus 225/55 that is a 118.25mm versus 123.75mm sidewall, or a 5.5mm increase in height of the sidewall, and an 11mm increase in overall height of the tire (about a half inch.) If I did a 225/50, then that is a 112.5mm sidewall, and a shrinkage of 5.75mm, or 11.5mm overall. So that is a half inch smaller. Hmmm...

You know, I would get performance gains (torque and cornering) going with the 50's, but better mileage and a better look with the 55's. Although the rims might look smaller with the 55's.

Has anyone done either of these? If so, impressions? pics?

[Whatever]

yeah 225/ 45 /17 would fit and you should do that
try ebay they have a lot of cheap tires for 17"

[mmcdonald]

I am not lowered... yet (if I can get away with it) so I think the 45's would be a little too radical for me.

Does anyone have pics of 225/55? I have seen a 225/50, but the car was too dirty to get a good look.

Thanks all.