215/50/17 or 205/55/17?

[Silver Ecstasy]

For winter tires, what do you think? All this time, I was dead set on 215 series because I thought that it looked so skinny as it is.

215/50/17 will be 59.7mph at 60mph on the dash, and will stick out 4mm further from wheel well with my wheels at 48+ offset.

215/55/17 will be 60.6mph at 60mph on the dash, and will fill the wheel well 4mm with my wheels at 48+ offset. I'm a little nervous that the tires will rub suspension parts, although it seems very safe, and i'm also concerned these tires will squirm a little heavily compared to the 215's having smaller sidewalls that may be stiffer.

Thoughts?

Oh, btw, it's between Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's or Blizzak LM-25's.

 

[derspi]

It's a wash in terms of fitment. But seriously, who cares about looks for winter tires, it's all about function. All the variables you're worried about are NEGLIGIBLE. An overall circumference of +1% will not require fender rolling. Tire squirm from a winter tire? Not important, especially when we're talking about a 0.3" difference. I don't know how bad your winters get but I would go with 205/55/17 - narrower the better for snow. But TBH, if it were me, between those 2 sizes, I'd just base my decision on price.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Our winters just simply are not worth it any more! Also, you have an SUV in the family Mike, push comes to shove you drive that around. you just need to get the 4 miles you drive to work. This car does better in the snow than you think!

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Agreed. The guy said he could only get it in 215/50 or 205/50 which would be a smaller tire.

 

[60181]

215/50/17 will be 59.7mph at 60mph on the dash, and will stick out 4mm further from wheel well with my wheels at 48+ offset.

215/55/17 will be 60.6mph at 60mph on the dash, and will fill the wheel well 4mm with my wheels at 48+ offset.

215/55/17's will rub the inner fenderwells on the rear when you go over dips or speed bumps or driveways and any turns where you corner with average speed since the car leans and flexes......remember, I tried a set and had to sell them. It won't kill the car, but it's ghetto to hear that all the time. They will be okay up front except at full 100% turn-lock. The driver side will rub the front vents of the wheel well.

Believe me, .7" taller than stock and it rubs.

Again, I went LM-25's at 205/50/17 and the car handles like a dream on dry and wet pavement. They are a tad smaller than stock, but I'm fine with that as it makes nearly zero difference in miles on the car and speed....like 1mph at 65mph...no big deal. I'd rather have the slight bit extra clearance anyway. The car rides low as it is and I can't imagine during the nasty weather how snow will be caking up under the wheel wells.

IMO, handling is key. I don't want to hate my car 5mos. of the year....the LM's rock and do well in snow too.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I meant to say 205/55/17, not 215/55/17. Those would definitely rub. But I should be ending up with M3's after all, in 215/50/17's like I originally wanted. What a weird situation.