Looking at 17" tires, unsure 205 v. 215

[butters]

I'd like to get tires for my Kopi 17s in the next month. Recommended sizes are 205 or 215 on a 40/17 profile.

Tirerack is back ordered on P Zero Nero 215s, so the next choice would be Ecsta LE Sports in that size.

However, the P Zero Nero is available in 205/40/17.

After road hazard and mount/balance, the Kumho setup would be about $475 (currently on special). The Pirelli 205 setup would be about $580 (mail-in rebate of $60).

I'm not sure if I should pay another $100 to get the Pirelli brand name and likely better overall tire if it's narrower than the Kumhos. Can anyone offer advice on this, am I losing alot with 10mm less width? Perhaps the Pirelli runs wide anyway, or the Kumho runs narrow?

[WhyNot]

I'd like to get tires for my Kopi 17s in the next month. Recommended sizes are 205 or 215 on a 40/17 profile.

Tirerack is back ordered on P Zero Nero 215s, so the next choice would be Ecsta LE Sports in that size.

However, the P Zero Nero is available in 205/40/17.

After road hazard and mount/balance, the Kumho setup would be about $475 (currently on special). The Pirelli 205 setup would be about $580 (mail-in rebate of $60).

I'm not sure if I should pay another $100 to get the Pirelli brand name and likely better overall tire if it's narrower than the Kumhos. Can anyone offer advice on this, am I losing alot with 10mm less width? Perhaps the Pirelli runs wide anyway, or the Kumho runs narrow?

had 225/45 on 7" wide 17" wheel
put on 205/45
compared a mounted 225 to mounted 205
225 was only a little wider because it rolled over on the edges
so 215 to 205 is almost unnoticeable

i was looking at 215/40 for the little extra width over a 205 but after seeing the 225 vs 205 it changed my mind

chose 205/45 because the tire selection was alot better and its the proper load rating
i got a set of bfgoodrich g-force comp-2 205/45
really like the tire but i dont know of the ones you reference

[ZM Blue Devil]

get the 45s, those wheels are somewhat soft and at 17" you want to protect them with as much rubber as possible.

[butters]

get the 45s, those wheels are somewhat soft and at 17" you want to protect them with as much rubber as possible.

Which width? The risk of rubbing makes me nervous.

[MR 325]

205/40 is just too small.

205/45 or 215/40 would be my recommendation.

[Madhatter]

215/45's rubbed on mine, so you'll have to be careful of the wheel offset and width. If you are only running something like a 7" wide wheel in the front, I don't think you'll have any problems.

[MR 325]

215/45 is too big, that's why.

Kopi Alpina wheels are 17x7.5 ET20.

[butters]

I searched and a few people are running 215/45, but I suppose that isn't going to be something I can put on with unrolled fenders and get away with.

There are P Zero Neros in 215/45 priced just under the 215/40 Kumhos. Bummer.