Six years after my previous post on the subject of tyres and wheels and I’ve had another look with the changes in cars and tyre availability since then.  Particularly as I’m getting really close to actually buying some wheels!

As I’ve not committed to any particular size yet I can at least change my mind. This was what I decided on previously.

Front 225/40R17. Not the cheapest, not the most available but in a pinch I could fit a 225/45R17 (gain 11mm front height) or a slightly wide 235/40R17. The 18in wheels just didn’t have small enough tyres available.

Rear 255/40R18. A larger wheel on the back mostly as more suitable sizes. Slightly narrow and the cheapest tyre this time but spot on sized at 50mm larger diameter than the front and as I’m “only” going for ~300hp a 255 rear will be fine.

It appears that the 225/40R17’s are pretty much unobtainium.  I’m going to stick with a 8in wide 17in front  and drop to a 215/40R17 front. This will drop the front by 7mm to 605mm which is close enough (and within 1mm of the original sizes).

If we take an extra 52mm for the rear that gives us 657mm if we then take +/- 2% that gives us 643-690mm as an acceptable range. A 275/40R17 at 653mm would be about perfect…except for availability.  A google on the subject suggests this was only made for the 92-02 Dodge Viper.

So instead we will stick with the same width as previous but drop the wheel size to 17in and use a 255/45R17. There are plenty available.

While I have yet to purchase them, I have at least chosen my wheels.

I will be going for a set of 17in BRM style from Image Wheels

Probably 8in front, 10in rear although that is subject to change, just short of £2000 with all the options I want. Best get saving…