Wheel size and tire size specific to performance driving

[logr]

The new Enkie 92's come in 15x8 +25. I tried one on the rear of my 240 with 225/45/15 RS3's. It didn't hit the stock spring by a fingernail amount. A taller tire would have hit for sure but with coilovers, all would have been fine. There are so few tires in a 225/50/15 and the 45 is only 23 inches tall, a bit short for my taste.

I am really thinking of going with a 17" wheel because of this but the 225/45/17 is generally 25" or taller so I am still undecided. I am not going with flares but want all the tire I can get. I have an SR for power and want to autox a bit as well as possibly a track day now and then but I want to drive the car every chance I get. I'm not going the race only route again, for a while at least.

It seems that some people are getting 245/40/17's under stock fenders but I'm not sure how.

[John Coffey]

Regarding performance, a shorter tire is a much better choice for an S30. You can get the car lower without having to relocate suspension mounting points. The old Hoosier 225/45-14 R3 was a great tire and you could run a 4.25" ride height at the front and still have the roll centers above ground and a reasonable camber curve up front. Unfortunately, if Tech was paying attention, you could get disqualified for running the S30 that low in a SCCA ITS race.

EDIT: And always remember that tire compound is more important then tire width. Compromise in the direction of stickyness over wideyness.

Edited December 26, 2011 by John Coffey

[BTF/PTM]

I dunno where the idea that there are few options for a 15" tire these days comes from, I've found at least two dozen options, ranging from a performance summer tire up to a track tire with double-digit wear ratings. Maybe people want an all-season tire.

Anyway, the Enkei 92 may be a good option, I like the large positive offset. That would definitely tuck under the fenders, and I can use spacers to move it out so it looks proper while not rubbing. I'll have to powdercoat them, though, but that's not a huge deal. It's totally unrelated to the topic, but my z has all its trim powdercoated satin black, so the wheels would have to match =)

[logr]

Few options with the height at approx. 24.5 and wider than a 205. RS3's come in a 225/45/15 but that is only 23" tall. I want a bit taller though it will probably be my autox tire of choice.