215/45R17 Feedback - who's run this size, pros and cons?

[Fish Freak]

If you've run 215/45R17, please give feedback on what you liked and disliked about this size? Handling drawbacks are what I'd like to learn about. Otherwise, I'd go 215/40R17, is that a good choice?


I'm thinking of running 215/45R17 size tires on stock height ST suspension, do NOT plan on lowering it. Reasons are, I'd like a little more sidewall flex and curb protection, not to mention wider contact patch. Since I'm not lowering it, it'd also take up some space in the well. I know the speedo will be off, no biggie, but other drawbacks? Is it just too big and heavy of a tire? Does it rub? Sluggish turn-in?

 

[RubenZZZ]

Been running 215/40/17s all seasons since my factory RE71s wore out.

Im on stock suspension, i dont rub and handling has only slightly diminished. Just about any tire will lose that razor sharp turn in compared to the 205/40 RE71. Keep that in mind. Ride quality improved due to the taller sidewall. Wheel gap is also filled by the slightly taller tire.


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[Dpro]

215/45 17 will rub on our cars. It’s too tall for the stock wheel well without cutting for flares. A 215/40 will not and it will give you about 5mm more sidewall height.

 

[Crystals]

215/40/17 is a good choice, but fair warning...not a lot of choice for this size compared to stock or even the 205/45 or 215/45.

I had Nitto Neo Gens (on 17x7.5 wheels) before an unfortunate incident forced my hand and I had to replace them. I’m on Nexen N’Fera SU1 tires now, which are actually a little smaller and more responsive than the Neo Gens. I haven’t pushed the Nexens yet so I can’t say which has more grip, but the Nittos were a blast. Great feel, especially when approaching the limit.

Also, if you want more cushion in your ride, Nitto is the way to go. Not a big difference compared to stock, obviously, but definitely noticeable. The Nexens feel the same as the stock wheels and tires over bumps IMO.

 

[Fish Freak]

Been running 215/40/17s all seasons since my factory RE71s wore out.

Im on stock suspension, i dont rub and handling has only slightly diminished. Just about any tire will lose that razor sharp turn in compared to the 205/40 RE71. Keep that in mind. Ride quality improved due to the taller sidewall. Wheel gap is also filled by the slightly taller tire.

Very interesting Ruben, because I've almost wished that the 'razor sharp turn in' was a little smoother and less twitchy, and maybe that's because I'm used to driving larger cars? Maybe the 215/40 will make this fiesta feel like a bigger car? What brand and model A/S are you running?

 

[Fish Freak]

215/45 17 will rub on our cars too tall for the stock wheel well without cutting for flares. A 215/40 will not and it will give you about 5mm more sidewall height.

Good word Dpro, thank you, good vote with the 215/40. What tires have you tried in that size?

 

[Fish Freak]

215/40/17 is a good choice, but fair warning...not a lot of choice for this size compared to stock or even the 205/45 or 215/45.

I had Nitto Neo Gens (on 17x7.5 wheels) before an unfortunate incident forced my hand and I had to replace them. I’m on Nexen N’Fera SU1 tires now, which are actually a little smaller and more responsive than the Neo Gens. I haven’t pushed the Nexens yet so I can’t say which has more grip, but the Nittos were a blast. Great feel, especially when approaching the limit.

Also, if you want more cushion in your ride, Nitto is the way to go. Not a big difference compared to stock, obviously, but definitely noticeable. The Nexens feel the same as the stock wheels and tires over bumps IMO.

So you're saying the Neo Gens are softer sidewall, or taller sides, or both? That is what I'm looking for.

 

[Dpro]

Good word Dpro, thank you, good vote with the 215/40. What tires have you tried in that size?

I am about to get Falken Azeni’s RT660 215/40 17. They will be on a 17x8 40 offset wheel.

I should add Ruben‘s stock tires were RE50’s not RE71’s. He also went from RE50’s to an all season tire which would probably show less turn in than a sticky summer tire. There are a lot of factors that can effect turn in.

 

[RubenZZZ]

I am about to get Falken Azeni’s RT660 215/40 17. They will be on a 17x8 40 offset wheel.

I should add Ruben‘s stock tires were RE50’s not RE71’s. He also went from RE50’s to an all season tire which would probably show less turn in than a sticky summer tire. There are a lot of factors that can effect turn in.

Correct Dpro. My mistake.

I try to buy "ultra high performance" all-seasons ( oxymoron?) like the Federal SS-595 ( those run a bit wide, have pretty decent grip and seem very predictable) and my current Nankang NS-25 ( pretty grippy, but havent done a decent canyon run in them yet, mostly street driving).


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[Dpro]

Correct Dpro. My mistake.

I try to buy "ultra high performance" all-seasons ( oxymoron?) like the Federal SS-595 ( those run a bit wide, have pretty decent grip and seem very predictable) and my current Nankang NS-25 ( pretty grippy, but havent done a decent canyon run in them yet, mostly street driving).


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Just so you know
ST Evolutions were/are the all seasons 595 was Federals first tire in the U.S. and was used by drifters because it was dirt cheap. Federal makes and sells much better tires including the ST Evolution. IMO. I run RS Pro’s for example which are pretty damn stick summer ultra high Performance tires on my 16 inch Konigs.

 

[Fish Freak]

Just so you know
ST Evolutions were/are the all seasons 595 was Federals first tire in the U.S. and was used by drifters because it was dirt cheap. Federal makes and sells much better tires including the ST Evolution. IMO. I run RS Pro’s for example which are pretty damn stick summer ultra high Performance tires on my 16 inch Konigs.

Ok so the RS Pro is like one step removed from a DOT slick? Then, going down the handling scale, the RS-R and then the Super Steel 595? I like the price point of all of those. Where does the stock 'stone fit in there? I'd like to equal it or slightly better? If I could do that at these prices then BONUS!!

If I was just tire shopping, I'd lean towards @RubenZZZ 's choice, the SS 595 since I don't track but may sometime just for fun, but one thing I tend to look for is continuous outside shoulder blocks for no squirm steering response. The last tires I ran were Michelin Pilot Super Sports, on my GLI, and the outside blocks were just barely connected. Fantastic tire and may just save until I can get another set, unless some of these Federals get close?? Thanks to both of you for all the feedback, helping a lot!! Up to this point I've settled on the 215/40R17 FOR SURE, protecting the rim AND cushioning the ride a little, however, the Michelin looks like it's not available in that size, nor is the SS 595! Why :/ ??

What's the next step down from the Falken RT660 Dpro? Hmm, the Falken Azenis RT615k+? Are all these tires better than the Firestone Indy500? Hear such mixed reviews on them....

 

[kivnul]

I run 215/45 R17 RE71R's for autocross. When I had the stock suspension, they would rub my fender liners at the 11:00 & 13:00 positions when fully compressed, as well as rub on one of the nuts of my Rallyarmor flaps when at full rotation of the steering wheel. I since went to stiffer coilovers and kept the stock height and it eliminated the liner rubbing. There is no rubbing of the fenders themselves. Wheels are Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2, 17x7.5/4x108/45mm

 

[Crystals]

So you're saying the Neo Gens are softer sidewall, or taller sides, or both? That is what I'm looking for.

Both. I imagine both will be more noticeable if you plan on keeping the stock wheel size. Still plenty noticeable on a half-inch wider wheel

 

[Dpro]

Ok so the RS Pro is like one step removed from a DOT slick? Then, going down the handling scale, the RS-R and then the Super Steel 595? I like the price point of all of those. Where does the stock 'stone fit in there? I'd like to equal it or slightly better? If I could do that at these prices then BONUS!!

If I was just tire shopping, I'd lean towards @RubenZZZ 's choice, the SS 595 since I don't track but may sometime just for fun, but one thing I tend to look for is continuous outside shoulder blocks for no squirm steering response. The last tires I ran were Michelin Pilot Super Sports, on my GLI, and the outside blocks were just barely connected. Fantastic tire and may just save until I can get another set, unless some of these Federals get close?? Thanks to both of you for all the feedback, helping a lot!! Up to this point I've settled on the 215/40R17 FOR SURE, protecting the rim AND cushioning the ride a little, however, the Michelin looks like it's not available in that size, nor is the SS 595! Why :/ ??

What's the next step down from the Falken RT660 Dpro? Hmm, the Falken Azenis RT615k+? Are all these tires better than the Firestone Indy500? Hear such mixed reviews on them....

Missed this post, Falken Azenis RT615+ is a good tire not quite at the level of grip of the 660 or my RS Pro but close. They are around a $100 a tire these days. I would steer you away from the SS 595 at all possible points. Its really an old tire. a RSR would probably be a decent choice for you. I would look at what you can get though in 215/40 its not like all the companies make tires in that size. Also if you are on stock wheels I would stick with a 205 its only a 7 inch wheel. Thats not exactly wide.

 

[Fish Freak]

Missed this post, Falken Azenis RT615+ is a good tire not quite at the level of grip of the 660 or my RS Pro but close. They are around a $100 a tire these days. I would steer you away from the SS 595 at all possible points. Its really an old tire. a RSR would probably be a decent choice for you. I would look at what you can get though in 215/40 its not like all the companies make tires in that size. Also if you are on stock wheels I would stick with a 205 its only a 7 inch wheel. Thats not exactly wide.

Part of why I was exploring 215/40 on stock wheels was to protect the rims a little more. The 205 leaves some rim lip exposed to curbs. I'm not going to a/c or race these tires like many of you, but I will a/c my '68 mustang/302 Windsor with race tires like the RS Pro soon!

I really liked the Federal Evolution-ST because it looked like an inexpensive Michelin Pilot Super Sport I had and loved before. Then came trying to buy the tire? Forget it. I really like using a local store like America's Tire because they honor the R/H warranty and have the Hunter Elite Road Force balancer, which has been fantastic for me.

So looks like the Nitto NeoGen is the last one standing in 215/40R17. Any good/bad feedback on this tire? Any feedback on road noise? Turn-in sharpness?

 

[M-Sport fan]

There are some on here who have the Neo Gens, or have used that tire in that exact size to give you direct feedback on them.

I have them in a 205/50-16 size on 16x8s, as a daily driver setup, and I could not be happier with them, especially for their price.
Turn-in is very good for an all season, 50 series tire, and they even maintain grip in cold dry (and wet as long as there is no snow/ice) temps, even though that won't be a concern for you.
They are also one of the quietest tires I've ever owned in almost 50 years of driving (like 1/100th the noise of my 215/40-17 RS-RRs).

 

[Crystals]

Found this old thread.

Stock size wheels. This guy lowered the car and still only occasionally rubbed a little on the driver side.

https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/215-40r17-lowered-fitment.18430/

 

[pixelzombie]

[QUOTE

So looks like the Nitto NeoGen is the last one standing in 215/40R17. Any good/bad feedback on this tire? Any feedback on road noise? Turn-in sharpness?[/QUOTE]
I can only comment on the stock size of the NeoGen. It is a great value for a well handling tire. The road noise has not been much of a factor, would definitely buy them again.

 

[Fish Freak]

There are some on here who have the Neo Gens, or have used that tire in that exact size to give you direct feedback on them.

I have them in a 205/50-16 size on 16x8s, as a daily driver setup, and I could not be happier with them, especially for their price.
Turn-in is very good for an all season, 50 series tire, and they even maintain grip in cold dry (and wet as long as there is no snow/ice) temps, even though that won't be a concern for you.
They are also one of the quietest tires I've ever owned in almost 50 years of driving (like 1/100th the noise of my 215/40-17 RS-RRs).

Quiet is a great thing, because that may indicate low rolling resistance too, and if it's got grip and turn-in too, then we have a winner!

 

[Fish Freak]

Found this old thread.

Stock size wheels. This guy lowered the car and still only occasionally rubbed a little on the driver side.

https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/215-40r17-lowered-fitment.18430/

Perfect! Thanks Crystals, I'm running stock ST springs and Bilstein B6's, so I'm sure they'll be fine. Really pleased that I can get the Neogens through America's tire, because they've got the bomb Hunter Road Force Elite balancing machine. Love that thing....