So, after moving from a set of Yokohama A048 to Toyo R888, I am pleased to say that I think the R888 are brilliant. They hold longer and I’m convinced the grip is better than the A048 as well.
Despite all this, I’m considering moving to the Hankook RS2 tyre, which I’ve heard to be the best compromise between road and track use.
Thing is though, they don’t come in the original Exige S2 (standard Y-spoke rims) dimensions of 195/50x16 and 225/45x17.
So the question is: Will 205/45x16 and 235/40x17 fit on my rim?
Anyone tried these dimensions before? Or if you don’t know, any guess how I can find out if they would fit or not? Email to Lotus? Email to a Lotus dealer or should the tyre supplier know? Or should I just give it a try and find out when they try to fit them?
The price of the tyres is exactly half of what I’d pay for a full set of R888.
IIRC the exige wears 6.5J front and 7.5J rear wheels, therefore…
Fronts are an approved size (range = 6.5 to 7.5J) although 7J is optimal for a 235/45/16.
Rears are a no no. A 235/40/17 fits on 8 to 9.5J wheels, 8.5J being the optimum. A 205/45/17 is just okay on a 7.5 as the taller sidewalls allow it to baloon a bit but they wouldn’t look right.
IIRC the exige wears 6.5J front and 7.5J rear wheels, therefore…
Fronts are an approved size (range = 6.5 to 7.5J) although 7J is optimal for a 235/45/16.
Rears are a no no. A 235/40/17 fits on 8 to 9.5J wheels, 8.5J being the optimum. A 205/45/17 is just okay on a 7.5 as the taller sidewalls allow it to baloon a bit but they wouldn’t look right.
Thanks bob,
Good info, thanks. So what you’re telling me, is that the front are good (despite that they may rub a bit depending on the ride height) and the backs are not.
What about 235/45x17? Or did you mean those when you said 205/45x17 would work, but look a bit funny…?
I’ve found that they go onto a 8" rim. Would that fit? Would they still fit or would they be to large because of the larger 45?
Sorry, that was a typo, should’ve said 235/45/17 would fit a 7.5J rim but I cant comment on the effect on gearing/rubbing
There’s an organisation called ETRTO who have standards which say what is allowable. For 235/45/17 the permitted rims are 7.5J to 9J but the standard is 8J.
i have 235 45 17 rears and 205 50 16 fronts (toyo t1r’s)and they are perfect.the a048’s have a very square sidewall so by jumping up 10mm in the width doesn’t make any difference,i would say it is about the same as the standard a048’s.
hth.
i have 235 45 17 rears and 205 50 16 fronts (toyo t1r’s)and they are perfect.the a048’s have a very square sidewall so by jumping up 10mm in the width doesn’t make any difference,i would say it is about the same as the standard a048’s.
hth.
Thanks - very appreciated. Though, I am a bit confused now, as I thought the 205/50x16 were too large in diameter (or at least larger than the A048 in 195/50x16), so 205/45x16 would be recommended?
To compare, these are the original Yokohama A048 ones that are recommended for the car (and rim):
Front:
Tyre: Yokohama A048
Dimension / Type: 195/50 R16 84W
Rolling Circumference: 1810mm
Overal Diameter: 600mm
Recommended rim sizes: 5,5" - 7,5"
Tyre width: 203mm
Messuring rim: 6"
Tyre: Hankook RS2
Dimension / Type: 205/45 R16 83W
Rolling Circumference: 1800mm
Overal Diameter: 590mm
Recommended rim sizes: ?
Tyre width: 206mm
Messuring rim: 7"
Tyre: Hankook RS2
Dimension / Type: 205/50 R16 87W
Rolling Circumference: 1867mm
Overal Diameter: 612mm
Recommended rim sizes: ?
Tyre width: 212mm
Messuring rim: 6.5"
Rear:
Tyre: Yokohama A048
Dimension / Type: 225/45 R17 90W
Rolling Circumference: 1934mm
Overal Diameter: 634mm
Recommended rim sizes: 7" - 9"
Tyre width: 220mm
Messuring rim: 7,5"
Tyre: Hankook RS2
Dimension / Type: 235/45 R17 94Y
Rolling Circumference: 1964mm
Overal Diameter: 644mm
Recommended rim sizes: ?
Tyre width: 236mm
Messuring rim: 8"
So as far as I see it - the front 205/50x16 is a bit too large in diameter and would probably rub, while the 205/45x16 would be slightly smaller and should be fine?
At the back, rubbing shouldn’t be a problem despite the 10mm larger overal diameter?
there is only 2mm in the difference between the two front tyre sizes,(i.e 10 mm too small or 12mm too big)
i was advised to go for the larger diameter rather than the smaller diameter,
the car will sit 5/6mm higher but will fill the arches a little better,
if you could imagine your front tyre being 10 mm smaller the gap betwwen the top of the tyre and the arch would look too big ,unless you have adjustable ride height.
my tyres are just for the winter months and i will be back onto 48’s when i start doing the trackdays again in may.
there is only 2mm in the difference between the two front tyre sizes,(i.e 10 mm too small or 12mm too big)
i was advised to go for the larger diameter rather than the smaller diameter,
the car will sit 5/6mm higher but will fill the arches a little better,
if you could imagine your front tyre being 10 mm smaller the gap betwwen the top of the tyre and the arch would look too big ,unless you have adjustable ride height.
my tyres are just for the winter months and i will be back onto 48’s when i start doing the trackdays again in may.
Make sure you double check this info. This guy (demus) is well known for getting his facts wrong…
![http://www.hankooktire.com/german/uploadfile/product/20051111210040112850.GIF[/image]](http://www.hankooktire.com/german/uploadfile/product/20051111210040112850.GIF%5B/image%5D){kind=link}