Widest tires for stock 17's?
 

Would I be safe to put 255/45's on the rear (245/45 on front) on stock 17's or should I just go 245/45 all-around?

Also, yes, I DID search, but haven't found anything for 255's on stock 17's... though I did see that 45 looks a bit odd on stock suspension, even though it's just slightly different that 50 (which is currently on the car...)

I'm actually curious about this too. I know when I was at discount tire a while back they had a list of alternate tire sizes that would fit the rims of my mustang. But I just got my G, so it's going to be at least 20K miles before I even start to consider new tires.

Aren't our stock rims 17x7, Which can handle a 225 or 235 depending on brand.
This is what I have seen:
17x7=225 or 235
17x8=245 or 255
17x9=265-285
17x10.5=295-315

Some tires may look stretched or bubble depending on brand and size. (Some tires are measured a bit differently from brand to brand. This means that tires of the same size can be wider or narrower by a bit.)

If it helps, I'm lookin at Falken's...

i put avon tech 235/50/17 on my stock 17's and they fit just fine

So I take it on the stock 17's, I shouldn't go 245 or larger, I need to stick with 235's?

Yes!...i think 245 would bulge too much over the rim...235 is more thatn enough for a 7" wide wheel....go 235/50/17

You would be better off staying with the 235's.

Keep in mind that with a 235/50R17, the tire is significantly wider and you'll loose some steering response and the tires will bulge a bit. The stock Bridgestone EL42s are terribly narrow for a 215/55R17. Their width is a 8.2" and have a contact patch of a 6.9". On the otherhand, the Avon M550 215/55R17 is 8.9" wide and has a 7.6" contact patch. The Avon M550 235/50R17 is 9.5" wide and an 8.6" contact patch when mounted on a 7.5" rim. When you mount the 235/50R17 on a 17X7, there will more bulge.

I have the Michelin Pilot Sports at 235/50/17 and there is no bubble, but I would not go wider.

Tire Rack recommends a 235/50/17 as an optional tire. They have a number of brands to choose from, the best probably being IMHO is the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2.

Here is the Tire Rack listing of available tires in 235/50/17 size:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...t=All&x=75&y=7

When you run a tire that is too wide for the rim width, you can get tire squirm under hard or severe cornering. You can definitely feel the difference with wider wheels. Since the rim width for the G is only 7", I would play it safe and stay with the 235/50/17.

Does anyone think the 235/50/17 would hit fender with a 1" drop?

Even 255's would not be close to the fender lips, not that I would run them on a 7" wide rim.

I have the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3's in 235/70/17 and they are very good tires as well, equal to or better than the Michelin Pilot Sports (IMHO, as well as those of many tire testers).

Fabulous wet weather traction (better than dry, I sometimes feel), but they wear very quickly (15,000 - 17,000 miles seems to be about the norm with spirited driving) too. Slight bulge at 35 PSI .

My $0.02