What tire size? (On 19x7 Rims)

[Neofolis]

I have some Kei Racing RSS 19x7 ET45 rims on the way, but I'm not sure what tire size would be best. The obvious choice is 215/35, but that is an overall diameter change of -2.7% (0.69"/17.5mm). I know up to 3% difference is acceptable, but I'm also thinking that I will have to lower the car that much more for it to look good. The road surfaces where I live are not great, so I don't want to go too low. I know a lot of people here have used 225 and 235 tires on 7" rims, but I'm also concerned about rubbing after it's lowered and I don't want to roll the fenders if I can avoid it. I'm thinking a 225/40 may be a better choice, it would give me an overall diameter of +0.63%, so I could get away with lowering less and should be a much smoother ride.

 

[JOSER_SPEED6]

I was running 225/35/20 on 8.5 45 offset rims and it rubbed like crazy. I cut and rolled the fenders and it still rubbed on turns and I have the mazdaspeed lowering springs. I'm surprised you found 19x7 wheels, thats not a very common size. I would go with your first choice of 215/35/19. I think 225/40/19 are alot taller than you think they are going to be, specifically because the wheels are only 7" wide.

Bottom line is, I think your best bet if you want to try to avoid cutting or rolling the fenders(especially if your lowering the car) is sticking with the 215/35/19 tire. I acutally think you could get away with it.

I live in so cal and we have some of the worst paved freeways and streets.

PM me when you install everything I'm really curious to see how it turns out for you. Good luck

 

[Neofolis]

Thanks, yeah 19x7 was difficult to find, but I wanted 19" without a hefty weight increase, apart from which I was struggling to find wider wheels with an offset that would work comfortably. I was lucky, because they have stopped making this wheel now, but the importers still had one set left in hyperblack. I wanted gloss black really, but hopefully they will look OK. I will post some pics once the wheels are on and again once lowered, although I'm also having difficulty choosing what suspension set I want to go with.