235/255 vs 245/275

[EthanolTurbo]

Just wanted some quick input...

Stuck between getting 235/45/17 + 255/40/17 vs 245/45/17 + 275/40/17.

My thoughts were that the 235/255 setup would be more playful, tighter effective gearing and less overall weight while the 245/275 combo should be a little more composed and grippy, but heavier/longer gearing/less playful. These are going on 8.5 front, 9.5 rear wheel widths.

Anyone run these two size splits and have some ideas on how they compare?

[Andratch]

I think your assessment is spot on. I have the 245/275 flavor on my car that's running E92 Comp wheels, and its well composed and grippy but not as "flingable." IMO, for daily driving and just general shenanigans, 235/255 would be fun. If you are a stickler for grip, go wider.

[K-Dawg]

Don't have any experience with 17s, but for street tires I would go with the taller sidewalls.

[cobra]

245/275 without a doubt.

[EthanolTurbo]

245/275 without a doubt.

That's what I thought too but I have other wheel sets 9.5" square and 10.5" with 265 square and 275 square already so I feel like maybe I need to maximize lightness and responsiveness. This is my first experiment with 17s on the E46.

[EthanolTurbo]

I think your assessment is spot on. I have the 245/275 flavor on my car that's running E92 Comp wheels, and its well composed and grippy but not as "flingable." IMO, for daily driving and just general shenanigans, 235/255 would be fun. If you are a stickler for grip, go wider.

As I wrote above, I have some "max grip" wide square tire and wheel setups already. Right now the car is on 235/265 18s and I love it for general usage and performance driving but feel like the 17" setup will kind of skew more towards fun and "adding lightness."

[cobra]

That's what I thought too but I have other wheel sets 9.5" square and 10.5" with 265 square and 275 square already so I feel like maybe I need to maximize lightness and responsiveness. This is my first experiment with 17s on the E46.

I am running 245/275 on 8.5/10" rims and I think a 9.5 is actually better for the rear in terms of matching tire bulge front to rear. It would look perfect on your wheel setup. Nice and meaty, good road compliance, the rubber slightly extends to protect the rim should you accidentally graze a curb. I don't feel that it handles sluggish at all, that is more a result of tire brand/model in my experience. Michelin PS4S feel incredibly crisp and planted on this setup.

[elbert]

What about 245/255?