Most common 17" tire sizes

I'm trying to find the most common 17" low profile tire size (and thus most available and probably cheapest). So far the 215/45-17 seems most common. I'm upgrading the wheels on my Passat to 17" Golf GTI wheels, and I don't want to spend a fortune on tires. So far Tire Rack has the best deal going at $312.67 shipped, but then I have to deal with mounting and balancing. I may be able to use my friend's shop to mount/balance them myself, but I'm not sure. A local shop will sell me 4 tires, mounted/balanced and out the door for $384.

I grew up in a tire shop, but back then 17" wheels were unheard of, much less considered common. I know mostly 15" and 16" tires sizes.

OEM sizes are usually 225/45r17 for MOST VWs that I see.

Discount Tire

Same tire at GRM prices:

Tire Rack

or a super value leader:

Edge Racing

Holy crap, four tires shipped from Edge Racing is $254.92.

So, is Edge reputable? I would assume yes since it was recommended.

Yes, Edge is very reputable.

Per

They backordered me on my order but filled it within 2 days of the back order. I was impressed.

These are the rims I'm going to buy tomorrow:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pts/729342811.html

Set of 4 rims in very good condition (minor scuffing on lip of a couple of the rims) from a 2003 Golf GTI. Also includes full set of lug bolts, wheels locks and caps. The rims will fit (double check with your dealer): - MKIII Jetta/GTI VR6 with with 5 lugs - 1999 to 3004.5 MKIV Jetta/Golf/GTI - All new Beetle Models Specifications: Dia: 17" ; Bolt: 5x100 ; Width: 7J ; Offset: 38 mm Part #: 69758 Color: Polished face with clearcoat plus Gray painted inserts. Contruction: One piece alloy.

slefain wrote: These are the rims I'm going to buy tomorrow: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/pts/729342811.html Set of 4 rims in very good condition (minor scuffing on lip of a couple of the rims) from a 2003 Golf GTI. Also includes full set of lug bolts, wheels locks and caps. The rims will fit (double check with your dealer): - MKIII Jetta/GTI VR6 with with 5 lugs - 1999 to 3004.5 MKIV Jetta/Golf/GTI - All new Beetle Models Specifications: Dia: 17" ; Bolt: 5x100 ; Width: 7J ; Offset: 38 mm Part #: 69758 Color: Polished face with clearcoat plus Gray painted inserts. Contruction: One piece alloy.

I just outbid you.

I know what you drive and where you park....

What year Passat? Most were 5x120mm

John Brown wrote: What year Passat? Most were 5x120mm

Mine is a '95, it's a 5 x 100mm. Currently it has 2001 Jetta TDI 15" wheels on it. Looks alright, but I want something sporty, but not sporty enough to make me stand out to the cops.

Edge is good.

215/45/17 is not extremely rare, but there are more choices in the 225.

235/45/17 is the typical oem size on the E36 M3 (no, not a dirty word) and is what I run on my Ti

235/40-17 is the typical E36M3 size actually. 225/45-17 is a similar diameter and more common, it's what I have on my non-M E36.

Hmmm. The 225 is the same price as the 215. My only concern is that the rim is 7" wide. I think the 215 is the perfect width for a 7" rim, but I'm sure the 225 would fit. It might scrub on some turns, but it might look better too.

On VWVortex, the saying is "if you ain't scrubbin, you ain't Dubbin".

The 225 is the same diameter as the 195/65-15s I have on the car now, and they scrub going over some speed humps. A 215 would be the exact same diameter as the stock 215/55-15 tires that are OE. I must say that I like the diameter of the 195/65-15s because it effectively lowers my final drive ratio (my car is a highway cruiser).

I think I've talked myself into the 225s.

Sweet! I got the rims, they are in MINT condition. The seller told me if they don't fit, he knows 8 more people who want them. I test fit one rim tonight and it is perfect. I just ordered my tires from Edge Racing, $285 shipped. I hope they make it here by Friday so I can mount them up on Saturday.

Now to just get some lowering springs and the windows tinted....

I ran 215 on 6 inch wheel very sucsesfully. I seems to me the 215 is the odd size. There are many 205 abs 225 in use.

Pixxors slefain, pixxors. (when you get them on)

Per Schroeder wrote: Yes, Edge is very reputable. Per

Second that. Edgeracing is about the only place I shop for tires OR wheels anymore. I've been begging them to get into other things like Tirerack but they don't want to hear it. Great vendor, IMO.

Josh wrote: 235/40-17 is the typical E36M3 size actually. 225/45-17 is a similar diameter and more common, it's what I have on my non-M E36.

225/45 is approx .6" taller OD than a 235/40.

Doesn't sound like a lot, but when you are already pushing your fitment the extra width and height will make a difference.

But it doesn't really matter as no one should be trying to shoehorn 235/40's onto a 7" wide rim.

17 x 7, I'd be inclined to go 215/40/17

z31maniac wrote:

Josh wrote: 235/40-17 is the typical E36M3 size actually. 225/45-17 is a similar diameter and more common, it's what I have on my non-M E36.

225/45 is approx .6" taller OD than a 235/40. Doesn't sound like a lot, but when you are already pushing your fitment the extra width and height will make a difference. But it doesn't really matter as no one should be trying to shoehorn 235/40's onto a 7" wide rim. 17 x 7, I'd be inclined to go 215/40/17

235's on a 7" rim isn't shoehorning. My 275's on 8" rims are a bit squeezed. 225's on 5" rims are pretty damn shoehorned.

^I called it shoehorning because its less than optimal wheel width to tire width ratio.

Most 235/40's are suggested to be mounted on a 8.5" wheel with a 8"-9" range.

We're gonna find out how well the 225s fit, cause Edge sent me the UPS tracking number! If you see a post about "how do you roll fender lips" you'll know they scrub.

I wore out the Miata.net tire calc program making sure the tires and wheels would fit the car before buying them. I wanted to avoid using spacers, and stock VW wheels were the best way to go. All the aftermarket wheels I wanted required at least a 10mm spacer. Might not sound like a big deal, but on a car with lug bolts and hub centric wheels, it gets pricey. The 38mm offset is 3mm too much, as my stock wheels were 35mm offset, but I already filed 3mm from the front calipers for clearance on the 2001 Jetta TDI wheels I currenly have.

I must say, putting later model OEM wheels on a car really dresses it up, modernizes it. I think if I get the car looking nicer it would pass as only 10 years old instead of 13 years old.

BTW, I'm averaging 27.6 mpg right now overall, and seeing as high as 32 mpg on my way to/from work. That's in a 3200# wagon with a 172hp VR6 engine. Woohoo!

z31maniac wrote: ^I called it shoehorning because its less than optimal wheel width to tire width ratio. Most 235/40's are suggested to be mounted on a 8.5" wheel with a 8"-9" range.

True, but if I've got 7" rims, I'd still rather have 235's than 215's. Especially on a pig like a Passat wagon.