I just got 245/50/17 tires to replace my original tires on my sedan. I wanted something better than the Goodyear's and I found Dunlop Sport SP 5000's. While they did not have the recommened tire size of 235/50/17, the 245 is only slightly bigger I have had them for three weeks now and I love them, rain or shine. For anyone that is looking for a good replacement for the stock tire, you might want to consider these excellent tires at a good price. The diameter is 26.6 inches vs the 26.3 inches stock, so you will be going 60.8 MPH while your speedo reads 60.0; not a big deal... (1.3% slow).

Anyone else have experience with these Dunlop tires or size change?

Will
2003 Sport Sedan, Prem Pkg..

 

do you have any pictures of how this looks on your stock rims? Is there a significant sidewall bulge? How to the wider tires look from front and back?

 

I put 245/45/17 Falken ZE512's on a few weeks ago. The overall diameter was smaller but under the 3% range. My rims are stock 17x7. The specs call for a 7.5 rim, but several other members using them, and one is AutoX on the 245/45/17 with 7'' rims. The OEM tires were getting really bad, and I need an All Season tire. The handling is GREAT! The Grip is exceptional. It's not going to be the same as a HP summer tire, but it serves my purpose. The apprearance front and back look great as well.

 

I also changed dimensions when I replaced those POS EL 42s. I went with the Kumho
ECSTA KHIIs 235/50/17. I am very happy with them. Dry/Wet performance is great!

 

most 245's are going to be looking for at least 8" and ideally 8.5-9" wide rims for maximum performance. 245mm is more than 9.5 inches afterall.

 

There are a few. First off it REDUCES the contact patch. The cross section of the tire is a big 'U' When you bring in the two tops of the 'U' you reduce the effective size of the base, the part on the ground. Each tire has an acceptable rim width range. Going on the skinny end of the rim width will reduce overall grip, while going with a wider rim will increase available grip as more of the tire will be on the road.

Stuffing a wide tire on an undersized rim also compromises the sidewalls ability to do its job.

Here is an analogy - I had a link to a better one but it seems to be gone...

You are going to run at a track meet (you know the Olympic version were you actually have to run LOL). Your shoe company just came up with some sticky track shoes which they claim are good for an additional .1 sec. You have size 9 feet. Would you run in size 11 shoes to get even more traction? If you did how would you run? What would happen when you tried to make your first turn?

There are other reasons, but those are the big one in my book.

Enjoy the drive!

 

WildWildWest,
What would be the max width you would recommend for the stock 17x7" rims?

Thanks,

g4ian

 

I would go no wider than a 235 tire on a 7" wide rim.

 

My advice...
Being that the stock is 215, putting +2 width would not give any advantage in handling as WildWildWest indicated. I would not go more than +1 on the width without going to a larger/wider rim.

 

The Dunlops (245/50/17) are spec'd to work on a 7" rim if I remember correctly. I just bought 235/50/17 Avon Tech M550's, and I love them. They worked great in the snow today, too.

 

Khsonic, how much did those Avon Tech's cost and how did they handle in snow, compared too stock.

 

I was thinking about getting the Avon Tech M550's in the 235/50/17 instead of the 215/55/17. However, I have an 05' G35x and I am a little concern with how the handling will be affected on the front tires when all 4 wheels are working, due to larger surface. Any advice ?

 

I drove today on the snow. They handle about 10x better than the stock turanza's. I like them so far; great dry performance, great wet performance, and good snow performance. I still slide around, but I am much more in control than with the old tires. I can feel these tires let go gradually, and they catch nicely if you let off the throttle. If you drive without giving alot of throttle, there is practically no slippage. (I was trying to make the tires let loose) I paid $128 per tire @ tirerack. Great deal. I would give them a 7-8 out of 10 for their overall value and performance.

 

As far as the g35x goes, I say go for wider. Wider is better, no matter how you cut it (except in snow). Snow shouldn't be much of an issue for you x'ers. You will have less understeer with the wider tires.