Standard FD, changing to 17"s - handling affected?

[jpo]

I\'ve a set of 17x8 ET35 & 17x9 ET38 Advan SA3Rs I\'m about to fit on my otherwise standard FD; I noticed the OEM 17s use a 235/45/17 & 255/40/17 tyre respectively for their 17x8 & 17x8.5 wheels - what I want to know is does this make the car lose a bit of the neutrality in its handling?

Also if I try to stretch the 255/40/17s on a set of 9s rather than 8.5s should I go for a slightly larger profile size to ensure the rake of the car isn\'t adversely affected?

An alternative which I think might look better & possibly keep the handling more neutral is to fit a full set of 17x9s with 235/40/17s all-round - the only thing is should I try & go a profile size higher (235/45/17) to keep the car comfortable as the 16s with their 225/50/16 tyres make the FD a very pleasant place to be with the poxy roads I have near me. All insight/info welcome!

[shaunwil]

They will be fine and won\'t change the handling at all. You want more rubber on the rear than the 235. I\'ve looking at going to 255 all round !

Shaun

[jpo]

Even on a stock car with stock power?? 225 is what they come with as standard sure & (maybe it\'s my driving style or the good tyres but) I don\'t generally lose traction in it..?

[shaunwil]

They did upgrade the rear width later on with the stock car plus it does help for traction.

I\'m not really very stock any more :Giggle

Shaun

[jpo]

With the 99+ spec 17"s from what I read the wheels & tyre sizes were the same as the BBS 17s that came on the RZ - 17x8 & 8.5 respectively with ET50 all round yeah?

I\'d say the 235s should do me front & back so, just wanted to know would they affect the handling or comfort massively as I was fitting a 9" wide wheel at the front. Incidently, would you say a higher profile of 235/50/17 would be overkill or make much of a difference to the comfort..?

[Ricco_04]

Dont forget Mazda reccommended a specific tyre (Think Bridgestone RE050) so just by changing tyre you will be altering the affect anyway....

[jpo]

Yeah true, the staggered ones were going to be the RE050A Potenzas anyway but I\'d be going for Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2s for the 9s all-round as the Assymetrics I have on my Mini are epic!