I get my car next week - I have ordered R99 Wheels and need to choose tires - I live in CT so I would like tires that can handle rain and moderate snow

From what I have read the Bridge RE 960AS seem like the right choice (pls tell me otherwise if you think not)

What size to get is the question - my car will have the factory sport suspension - will there be enough clearence for 215 45 17 or would I be better off with 205 45 17 or 205 40 17

I would like to preserve "some" ride comfort so I'm leaning toward the 205 45 17

Thanks in advance for the help

 

You can use any of those sizes. I'd stick with either the (stock) 205/45 or 215/45. The sport suspension won't lower your car, so you won't have any clearance issues, and even a lot of folks with lowered cars (well, R53s anyway) run 215/45-17s and 205/50-17s.

The 205/45s and 215/45s will give you a bit taller sidewall than the 205/40s, so you'll get a little better ride.

 

If you use the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS then the only size that will fit best will be 215/45-17.

They don't make a 205/45-17 or 215/40-17 for that tire.

In fact the selection of tires is not quite as good in 205/45-17.

215/45-17 should be fine however it is slightly taller than stock by about 0.4" so speedo and odometer readings will be a bit lower than actual values. Just keep close to your posted speed limit.

Don't choose 205/40-17, it's small at 23.5" in tire diameter. That would increase tire gap and be less comfortable for daily use.

 

Minihune any other ideas/choices given my driving conditions?

 

Sure, you have many options.

You want to use your R99 wheel for all season driving so we are very limited on the sizes to choose from but-

the common sizes are-
204/45-17 stock
215/40-17 which is lower than stock but still possible
215/45-17 which is slightly taller than stock and probably the best option
225/45-17 which is taller than stock at 25"
205/50-17 which is taller than stock.

Taller than stock can work but only with stock suspension. Buying tires for all seasons means you expect some snow so you want a little clearance in the wheel arches for snow. Wider tires are not helpful if there is a lot of snow.

All Season tires vary in their ability to function in the snow. They aren't as good as real dedicated snow tires but they work compared to Summer tires that won't handle snow.

Of the good All Season tires some will cost less than the Bridgestone RE960AS.

Continental ContiExtremeContact in 215/45-17 is $87 each 400 treadwear 20 lbs. also comes in 225/45-17 for $94 each. More value, decent snow ratings, slightly less dry handling and comfort.

On the other end of the spectrum
Yokohama ADVAN S.4. has better handling and comfort but not quite as good in the snow- so if your snow requirements are limited it's pretty good.
$169 each 400 treadwear in 215/45-17 24 lbs
$165 each in 225/45-17

By comparison RE960AS
$143 each in 215/45-17 400 treadwear 25 lbs
$133 each in 225/45-17 26 lbs

Still in All Season UHP (which are better than HP All seasons)
Pirelli PZero Nero M+S
215/45-17 $120 400 treadwear 21 lbs
225/45-17 $127 each 23 lbs
Very good handling and comfort, slightly lower ratings for snow

And in stock 205/45-17 is
Avon Tech M550 A/S $99 each 360 treadwear 22 lbs
215/45-17 $99 each 23 lbs
225/45-17 $104 each 27 lbs
Good handling and moderately good comfort, slightly lower snow ratings
Good value.

And the value leader
Kumho Ecsta ASX
215/45-17 $87 each 21 lbs 420 treadwear
225/45-17 $84 each 23 lbs

Sustitution sizes-
205/50-17 is tall at about 25.1" but it's almost the same as 225/45-17 and the more narrow tread would be better if you get a decent amount of snow. The 50 series sidewall offers a little more comfort.

215/40-17 is lower than stock so more wheel gap and clearance, 40 series sidewalls are stiffer so not so good for potholes and rougher roads, very good for handling and turn in response, not as comfortable, more risk to damage tires, rims, and suspension.

The best tires are the RE960AS and ADVAN S.4. but they do cost more.
In value tires sometimes they won't last as long but it depends on how you use them. Be gentle and keep the tire pressures up. All of the tires listed are decent.

I can't really comment on All Season tires by
Falken Ziex Ze 912 360 treadwear (new model replaces Ze 512)
205/45-17 $90 each 22.1 lbs
215/45-17 $75 each 23.4 lbs
Ratings-
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?ti...=Ziex+ZE%2D912

Toyo Proxes 4 300 treadwear
205/45-17 $104 each 20.5 lbs
215/45-17 $81 21.6 lbs
Toyo Proxes Fz4 300 treadwear (older model)
215/45-17 $76 21 lbs

The Ze 912 is an option if you want a stock sized tire. Falkens and Toyos are available at Edgeracing.com

I have no way of really knowing how good they really are in the dry, wet or snow nor how comfortable they are because few tire tests are run on them that are comparible with tirerack tests.

Many owners are happy with their Falkens and Toyos and prices are decent.

I did find a new Toyo that is a Luxury Touring All Season tire but has good balance of handling, works in snow, good comfort and treadwear. Not too cheap
and has limited sizes.
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?ti...del=Versado+LX
Toyo Versado LX
205/50-17 $149 each 400 treadwear
You might contact edgeracing.com to see if they carry this tire or if they can order it. I don't see it listed under that size. It may be too new.