XenonES3

Have any of you with GS wheels gone to a thicker sidewall tire? Say a 235/50/17 or 245/45/17?

The diameter of the stock GS wheel/tire combo is less than that of the stock SC wheel/tire combo. I'm about to install Espelir springs am shooting for the smoothest possible ride and therefore which to increase the amount of sidewall over my current harsh 235/45/17 setup.

The stock SC specifications are: (225/55/16)
Sidewall: 4.9 in
Diameter 25.7 in

235/45/17 (GS tire- my current setup) <------ Short .4in in diameter (no wonder the harsher ride)
Sidewall: 4.2 in
Diameter 25.3 in

245/45/17: <--------------------------matches SC factory spec diameter
Sidewall: 4.3 in
Diameter 25.7 in

235/50/17 <--------------------------smoothest ride, but would pose problem w/ 2in drop?
Sidewall: 4.6 in
Diameter 26.3 in

It seems that a 245/45/17 tire would match best within factory SC specs. I'm shooting for the smoothest possible ride but after I lower the SC about 2 inches would a 235/50/17 tire work without rubbing the fender (it is .6 in larger in diameter)?

Thanks!

engin_ear

iTrader: (1)

Yes, before I got my 19"s I was running 245/45-17's front and rear, but on a GS, not an SC.
You're not going to find a big difference in ride quality going from 235/45 to 245/45. The sidewalls will look a bit bigger, but the difference in ride will be dictated more by which tires you put on than the change in tire size. Going to a 50-series might make more of a difference. With a 2" drop you'll need to watch carefully. I'd probably stick with a 245/45-17, just check clearance on the inside of the wheel/tire.