Tires vs Ride Quality

[ZGadson]

When I bought my car, I had to immediately get new tires because the car's original tires were nearly dead. Unfortunately, the shop that put tires on my car put on some that were a few sizes too small and I never noticed they were different until I looked at the spare a few days ago. The spare it huge compared to what they put on the car, so it's useless if I ever get a flat.

Im wondering if a larger tire size improve ride quality. For a luxury car, it's suspension (even for a sport tuned suspension) has much to be desired. Every pebble can be felt.

What's the biggest tire size I can get without rubbing/turning problems? (For the rims in my sig pict)

[MattB]

Standard size tires would be your best option. If you want a larger profile tire you could drop down a size in wheels (like my I30 Luxury has 16s as standard as opposed to the 17s on your I35). That would allow for a larger profile tire while still retaining the overall standard diameter. Going to a larger overall diameter is not advisable as it will throw off your speedometer.

[Daddygonz]

From you signature picture you have a 02 I35 Sport. I also have a 02 Sport. The regular I35 have 215-55-17 and our sport has 225-50-17. I just put on some new Falken ZE-912. The Falken was softer then the original Potenza. I am pretty happy with them. We are also running Falken FK-452 on our G35 coupe. You can always go to 245-45-17 if you want more meat. They are less then an inch shorter but one inch wider. Here is a tire calculator link. http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

[crocop.mirko]

Go on tirerack and see what they recommend and stick with that for sizing.

[ZGadson]

From you signature picture you have a 02 I35 Sport. I also have a 02 Sport. The regular I35 have 215-55-17 and our sport has 225-50-17. I just put on some new Falken ZE-912. The Falken was softer then the original Potenza. I am pretty happy with them. We are also running Falken FK-452 on our G35 coupe. You can always go to 245-45-17 if you want more meat. They are less then an inch shorter but one inch wider. Here is a tire calculator link. http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

I like the idea of wider tires. I had a 97 Mercury Sable before I had my I, and I put bigger tires on the stock rims and it looked pretty damn good with the dual exhaust.

[porabowl8]

when my car was stolen from my brother when he owned it, the people who stole it put on 15" rims with tires that were not nearly as wide as stock. it handled awful but rode OK...when i bought 18" G35 wheels and put on nice wide tires - the difference was night and day.

[rxm6]

Question...If I have 16x6.5 rims and I put 16x7 rims on in the rear would that be too wide...i.e. scrape the wheel well?

[ZGadson]

You'd have to measure. More than likely a half inch won't make much of a difference unless you're driving fast over railroad tracks, speedbumps, small children, or whatnot. Im sure you'd be fine going a half inch larger.

PS: Your car doesn't have lowering springs/struts does it? That would be a big factor, but if not, you'll be fine.