MB The Body

as long as you get the correct tire size, which you would want to do so you don't effect your speedometer

Bob58

First let me say that I have the non-sport suspension and OEM 17" Conti tires. The wheel gap is large, but it doesn't bother me and I have no interest in changing anything.....

But, just for my own edification:

As I understand it, if you go with larger wheels and lower profile tires to make the rolling diameter the same (and thus avoid speedo issues), the ACTUAL gap between the wheel well and tire will be the same.

It should, however, make the gap APPEAR smaller from a distance due to the increased amount of visible chrome.

I imagine the effect is greater on darker colors (especially Black) than it is on lighter colors.

Am I correct?

MB The Body

you are correct... except that with a bigger rim and thinner tire the gap appears larger

daveak05

I'm saying that the distance from the hub to the top center of wheel arch does not change, unless suspension lowered.

So, by going from a 17 to a 19 for example, you are adding an inch to the bottom(at pavement) and closing the wheel well gap by an inch. You are actually increasing ground clearance but decreasing the gap at wheel well.

There will be some change introduced by a lower profile tire, but like I said, a 40 profile sidewall vs a 45 is not a big difference. 55 to 45 or 45 to 35 is more noticeable.

D-

DalD

Ironically then, you ARE increasing ride height slightly with a higher profile tire to create the effect of a LOWER ride height?

I'll have to take everyone's word for it on the visual/floating thing. If anyone knows of a picture where I can see this floating effect, please advise.

Related question - I DO have factory sport suspension on a 2005.5, which states on the window sticker firmer ride, and larger sway bar I think, but it never actually says lower ride height. Dealer told me it was 15 mm lower, which doesn't sound like a lot, but the whole reason I went for the sport suspension was to make the move to 18s look better (even though I didn't fully understand this "floating effect" at the time). Anyway, can anyone confirm that the ride height on a 2005.5 w/sport susp is in fact lower, and is it lower enough to allow me to go to 18s (and lower profile tires, thereby keeping total tire diam identical) without a visual problem? Thanks. --DDD

Bob58

How can the ride height be affected?

I do realize that the rolling diameter won't be EXACTLY the same when changing wheel/tire combinations, but if it's close enough to not effect the speedo it should be close enough to not affect the ride height significantly.

daveak05

Well, there is not anywhere near an inch difference from a 45 series to a 40...whereas he has an extra inch at the top(with 19" rim) filling in the wheel gap.

Speedo calibration concerns total wheel diameter. A 19" wheel with 40's is not going to match up to a 17" with 45's in any case.

D-

MB The Body

i do wish it was a little lower, but i dont find it to be a problem

without sport suspension though it would've looked really funny

MB The Body

yes

MB The Body

40 is a percentage... not an actual size so the difference from 40 to 45 has another factor