another tire thread

[dreadlock]

I know there have been countless posts on this...but haven't found one that quite answers my question.

Looking for some new summer rubber for my 07 MS3. Currently riding on stock 215/45 R18s with stock rims. Car is lowered on H&R springs.

I've read that the biggest you should go is 225/45 R18, and one person said 235 is even ok. I'm hoping to get more rubber under the car to reduce the bumpy ride, is it possible to get a 225/50 or larger on the 18" rim? I would bring the car back to stock height, but am curious just how big a tire I can get on there with the stock rims.

Also, I don't really like how this affects the OD, thats why I'm currently leaning towards 225/45 or 235/45 (staying with factory sidewall size) but I don't think adding width will help my 'bumpy ride' problem...is everyone elses ride as rough as mine? I realize I'm lowered...

[starscream]

225/45/18 or 225/40/18 is the biggest IMO. I went with 225/40/18 in Hankook K110. I am lowered in Cobb springs too and they fit fine with no rubbing problems on full loaded suspension.

Any bigger and I think you'll endup running into problems unless you get your fenders rolled (mine are not rolled), maybe a 3-5mm spacer or different rims. Personally the gains you would get from 225 to 235 wouldnt be worth it IMO as the price goes up by a decent bit (tires, possible fender rolling, possible rubbing, possible spacers/rims needed). I would stick with MAX 225.

[gotak]

The only real way to add more rubber is to get smaller rims. Or as suggested roll the fenders. This car's bumpy by design it's hard to tame it. With my 16 inch winter tires on it's still way more bumpy than the car I had before which ran on 17s summers.

[dreadlock]

Thanks guys. I guess wider is my only option for the time being...good to know that 225 will still fit on my lowered ride.

gotak I've noticed the same with my 16" winters...hard to tame is right...I don't mind it all that much but with a few passengers it gets pretty rough. A small price to pay for being one of the fastest FWD cars on the road :headbang

Thanks again