wheel question

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> I don't believe you'll find a tire with enough
> load rating for a 5ktq in
> 205/40R17- that's a size that's usually used on
> cars like Civics. Make sure
> you're over a load rating of 90 or you're
> asking for a blowout at highway
> speed.

i've been looking around for some info on load
ratings vs. vehicle weights, and i've found that
a load rating of 90 = 1323lbs.

according to audi, the audi 200 wagon curb weight
is 3439lbs.  that means that i would need a tire
that can handle a max of 860lbs (load rating of
76) to be safe.

while not my cup of tea, the specs are online, so
i'll use them: bridgestone potenza RE750s in a
205.40.17 spec out at 992lbs (load rating: 80).

for a guy who knows not a lot about this black
art, i'll have to say that the numbers tell me
that a 205.40.17 (at least from bridgestone) will
safely work with these cars, and leave some room
for loading the car as well.

to be extra safe, i might consider the
215.40.17s, because they offer a load rating of
83 (1074lbs), which would allow nearly another
1000lbs of gear to be loaded in.  

keep in mind that i really have no real world
experience with this.  this is purely info that
i've found online.  if there's anything amiss
with my numbers, please let me know.

jason
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