evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

Are there any noticeable gains from going to 235s? Are they noticeably wide or barely wider?

plum92_camaro

yes, There will be a difference, you will notice it more in the diameter if you get the same profile series.

Example-245/50R16
The first # of a tire size is the width in millimeters. This one is 245mm, 24.5cm, 2.45dm, or .245 Meters wide
The second number is a percentage. The sidewall of this tire is 50% as tall as the tire is wide. Needless to say XX% of 215 is not the same as 235.
The last number is self explanatory, it is the rim size.

Usually tire manufacturers have a spec chart for their tires that will give you the dimensions so you can make a wise choice on a wider tire, the same height as what you have and tell you if it will fit on you rims. Use this link as an example.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-...ires#techspecs

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

Thank you lol, but I know all that and have been researching into this quite a bit. my car originally had 215/65r15s on it. But I'm wanting to go with 235/60r15s but I'm wondering if they are even noticeable different in width. Like would I be able to look at the back of my car and see a difference than with the original tire. I know the 235s are the same height as the 215s so that won't bother me. Another option I'm looking into is putting the 235s on the rear and putting the 215s on the front for a small stance.

paul_huryk

I use the rule of thumb of 40% of the tire section increase in terms of relating to additional grip, so 20/215 * 40% = 3.7% more grip. Might not seem like a lot, but that would bring a .82g car (like yours) up to .85g with that one change. But you would need to increase your wheel width about 20mm (or about 1") to make sure you get the full effect.

You really need an 8" wide wheel to mount a 235 width tire to make sure the sidewalls are stable in cornering.

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

I see nothing wrong with switching from 215 to 235. It won't rub. It won't cause any steering issues. It won't seem too heavy to turn the wheel. I would do it.

As far as visual differences? It really depends on what brand you buy and what style their tires are. Some tires have a square edge to them. Some are more rounded looking. Different brands can look wider or narrower despite being the exact same size. My Goodyear 245 tires looked wide. My Michelin 245 tires look narrow.

Here are my Goodyear 245 tires next to some Firestone Wide Oval 295.



Here is the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245 that I have now.



Yet Michelin's Super Sport 245 tires look much wider than their all season 245.




So ultimately, it's a gamble. The 215 --> 235 upgrade may look way bigger. It may look just a tiny bit bigger. But I'd go for it anyways. Paul has mentioned to me that BFG tires tend to be wider than their rated width would suggest. I can attest to that, as I was parked next to a 3rd gen with BFG SportComp 2 tires in a 235 size. And they seemed much wider than my Michelin A/S 245 tires.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

I'm going with cooper cobras

plum92_camaro

Sounds like you got it figured out. Go for it! They are only too wide off they rub or stick out!

paul_huryk

I have an old set of MXX Michelin Pilots in 245-50-16 on my old 1992 Z28 wheels and they are exactly 245mm, plus they have a super square sidewall - which makes them look even narrower due to the profile.

Another thing about tires other than the section width is the tread width. The BFG seem to have more tread width than others - almost 3/4" of an inch more measured than a Continental Extreme DWs in the same 275-40-17 size. But the Contis weigh 3lbs less each because they are smaller and handle almost the same.