I know that this has probably been kicked here to death...but, what is the widest tire size that I could put on my non-lowered G-sedan with stock 17" Sport package wheels...and have no problems with rubbing? How about on 18" wheels?

I am financially challenged right now, but need some tires, so it'll probably be the 17" deal for now. I'm looking at Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S.

Thanks...

 

On the stock 17" wheels which are 17x7, 245 is about the widest you'd want to go. For the required rim width, look at the tires on tirerack and click the "specs" link, specifically at "rim width range". The 245/45/17 P-Zeros recommend a rim width between 7.5" and 9". I had Eagle F1's on my stock rims in that size, and for those tires the specs stated the same thing. I had no problems. Anything wider than 245 and I think you're going to run into problems, not with rubbing, but with poor handling and treadwear.

 

Thanks, doogie. Are you saying that the 17x7" wheels on my car won't handle the P-Zero's sufficiently because they are too narrow?

BTW...didn't we talk a while back about me moving from Denton, TX. to the midwest? I've been gone for over a year now. Is there an Infiniti dealership there now?

 

Personally, I think 235 is as wide as you'd want to go on the stock 7" wheels, and even that's pushing it. I just replaced my stock tires with 235/50/17 on the OE rims. It's OK, but I think they would look and perform better on at least 7 1/2" rims. Although I haven't seen 245's on these rims, I think they'd balloon a little and performance would suffer slightly. Just my opinion....

 

I just went from 245s to 235s and I have to say the 245s definitely provided more traction and the car responded much more 'solidly'. I think which 245 will work will really depend a lot on the quality of the sidewall and whether it's rounded or straight. Here is a pic of 245s on my car:



(Eagle F1-GSD3's). They worked great. I do agree that 235 is the 'ideal' size, but you CAN do 245s. I had those tires for 15k before they wore out (completely evenly across the tread I might add)

And davistld01, Grubbs in Euless is my "local" dealership, so no.. not really local but it's only a 40 minute drive, and close to work.

 

doogie - can we see a few more pics. And are the stock 17" seven spokes for 2005 the same size as the 03-04 stock 17 wheels?

 

Dig the pic.
looks pretty similiar to how mine look on the sport 17's. Glad to see that, since I was worried a little about the tire sticking too far out from the rim.

 

Doogie, From your post it sounded like you got the wide ovals on....that true

 

Got them on yesterday. I was reserving a review until at least the weekend since I didn't peel off the first layer yet So far so good is the short version. With some caveats - is the long version More to come.

 

Dunno. I have a 2004 with the Sport package. As far as I know all the 03,04,05 17" wheels are 17x7.

 

Thanks, doogie. I just ordered a set of Avon Tech M550 A/S's from Tire Rack in a 235/50/17 size based on silver04's comments in another thread and what the Tire Rack rep told me. I can't wait to get some new, wider rubber on my car!! Those 245 F1's looked great on your car!

 

It would not be recommended to put a 245 tire on a 7" rim.

 

Here are my new tires: can't wait to have them mounted on Saturday.

 

That's the start of a great post and some good feedback... Now all we're missing is the reason

 

Doogie:

Little confused here - please clarify.

Several people (on this and similar posts) have said that 245's on 7" wide rims are too wide - something to the effect that they will "bulge" too much, and the sidewall will "flex" too much due to it's unnaturally bulged state.

You said you just went from the 245's to 235's and that the 245's "definitely provided more traction and the car responded much more 'solidly' ". Further in the post, you confirmed your new tires (235's) were "Wide Ovals", so do you attribute the difference in grip and 'solidity' to the higher quality and better design of the Eagle's (245's) vs. the Wide Ovals (235's), or just to their being 10 mm wider? What about the reported greater sidewall "flex" due to the bulging of the 245's? By the way, looks like the Eagles you had would be categorized as "straight edged" right?

Would have been ideal if you'd just switched to the same Eagles in 235 size, then we'd be comparing apples to apples, too. Of course, if I'd have provided you a new set of Eagle 235's, I'm sure you'd have been glad to give us the better comparison

I realize the gist of your post was to say that 245's can work on the 7" rims, and work well (also wear evenly - vitally important!), valuable input that I appreciate. I'm ready for new tires soon, and have been torn between going with the Eagles in 235/50 vs. 245/50 sizes. I'm always a believer in putting the maximum tread width on the road for any vehicle I drive, but also realize that at some point you can go beyond optimum and actually decrease the overall performance of the car with a tire that is too big for the rim. Your 245's really didn't look to bulge too much in your photos, though. Hell - now the decision is harder than ever.

Has anyone gone from 235's to 245's (or vice-versa) with the same type tire (design, compound, & tread pattern) on a stock 7" G35 rim ?? Interested in knowing the differences, if any, in ride, handling response, noise, overall performance, etc., etc. Any input in this matter would be appreciated, G35 Drivers (I'll accept "butt dyno" reviews, sans "proof" with skidpad and slalom numbers, even ).