[s-cars] Is 225 too wide?

[Taka Mizutani]

For snow use, I wouldn't debate the point, but I noticed a significant
improvement
in handling going from 225/45 to 255/40R17, even with a less sticky tire
(went
from Yokohama AVS Sport to Sumitomo HTR-ZII).

I had issues with the tire shoulder rolling over and wearing the sidewall
with 225s,
did not have this issue with 255s, both mounted on the same set of wheels.

Heck, the next set of tires on my STi will be 245s or 255s, and that car
weighs a good
500lbs. less than a S6.

No way would I run that narrow of a tire except for snow tires (205s, that
is).

Taka


On 7/25/06, Sam Clarkson <sam at edgetoedge.co.nz> wrote:
>
> Good to see a bit of debate, I have experienced the same issue over
> two cars an S4 sedan and an S4 avant with both the factory rims with
> 225/50 and 17" with 225/45. Also both sets of snows (Pirelli winter
> 190's) (blizzacks). I ski a lot and would consider myself an expert,
> in the ski world we have worked out that bigger is not better. On our
> kiwi snow a high spec set of 160 race slaloms is a far more high
> performance rig than a bigger ski. Is this so with tyres? A 205 will
> have greater agility, less rolling resistance,higher point pressure
> on the road, less aquaplaning. I tend to drive fast but smooth
> neither braking hard (if at all) into corners nor stomping the gas on
> the way out. Gear change into the corner and progressive acceleration
> through, and beyond, the apex is me. Is a fatter tyre going to
> benefit me. Just how much more dry grip will a 225 have over a 205
> anyway? How much less wet grip?
> I'm putting Bilsteins in in the next few daze, if I can drag myself
> off the slopes that is! Enjoy your heat waves suckers I'm in cool
> crisp hard-pack heaven!
>