Tire Question

[goobernoodles]

I recently swapped over from 215/40/17 tires to 215/45/17 snow tires for the winter in my 850r. The ride quality of bumps improved a ton with the added meat on the tires. Since I switched to snows from summer tires, however - obviously it's hard to judge the difference the the sidewall size made in an apples to apples comparison.

If comparing two tires of the same type, will a 215/45/17 tire have more noticeable sidewall flex than a 215/40/17 tire? I assume it's just a bit, but I wanted to see if anyone had experience in this area. Since moving to new struts/shocks and switching to pretty stiff springs, my butt and my passengers butts have been paying for it. The roads around my work are torn to hell, so I'm hoping I won't gain too much sidewall flex by moving to 215/45/17 summer tires in the spring.

Another question: has anyone here tried Michelin Pilot Super Sports?

 

[NutBucket]

You're worried about handling yet want to get a tire with more sidewall for ride comfort? And then you're looking at tires that are designed to have very stiff sidewalls?

I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities/desires.

 

[goobernoodles]

You're worried about handling yet want to get a tire with more sidewall for ride comfort? And then you're looking at tires that are designed to have very stiff sidewalls?

I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities/desires.

Are you kidding me?

 

[NutBucket]

No, you installed a stiff suspension and are now complaining about poor ride quality. What am I missing?

 

[goobernoodles]

No, you installed a stiff suspension and are now complaining about poor ride quality. What am I missing?

No, that's not what's happening, genius. I simply said that since moving to snows, which happen to have fatter sidewalls, the ride quality improved a lot. I'm simply asking if there is going to be a noticeable difference in performance when comparing two of the same tires, one with a slightly larger sidewall. Ride comfort is a secondary goal.

Get off your high horse.

 

[jlee]

No, that's not what's happening, genius. I simply said that since moving to snows, which happen to have fatter sidewalls, the ride quality improved a lot. I'm simply asking if there is going to be a noticeable difference in performance when comparing two of the same tires, one with a slightly larger sidewall. Ride comfort is a secondary goal.

Get off your high horse.

Then say that, instead of this convoluted mess:

If comparing two tires of the same type, will a 215/45/17 tire have more noticeable sidewall flex than a 215/40/17 tire? I assume it's just a bit, but I wanted to see if anyone had experience in this area. Since moving to new struts/shocks and switching to pretty stiff springs, my butt and my passengers butts have been paying for it. The roads around my work are torn to hell, so I'm hoping I won't gain too much sidewall flex by moving to 215/45/17 summer tires in the spring.

Will you notice a difference between 215/40/17 and 215/45/17 in the same tire? Highly doubtful.

 

[goobernoodles]

Why is everyone in this forum so damn antagonistic? Jesus christ...

Then say that, instead of this convoluted mess

Granted, I didn't edit my post for the interwebs with the standards of a magazine, I'm pretty sure:

If comparing two tires of the same type, will a 215/45/17 tire have more noticeable sidewall flex than a 215/40/17 tire?

could be understood as:

I'm simply asking if there is going to be a noticeable difference in performance when comparing two of the same tires, one with a slightly larger sidewall.

 

[jlee]

Why is everyone in this forum so damn antagonistic? Jesus christ...

Ask yourself.

Are you kidding me?

No, that's not what's happening, genius.

Get off your high horse.

If you want help, don't be a dick. NutBucket asked a clarifying question and you blew him off.

 

[goobernoodles]

If you want help, don't be a dick. NutBucket asked a clarifying question and you blew him off.

If someone makes a dumbass post, then I guess I'm a dick for pointing it out.

NutBucket was trolling, like 90% of people who post in any of the social subforums. Way to support the trend.

You're worried about handling yet want to get a tire with more sidewall for ride comfort? And then you're looking at tires that are designed to have very stiff sidewalls?

I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities/desires.

You call that a clarifying question? That wasn't what I was asking in the OP.

 

[jlee]

If someone makes a dumbass post, then I guess I'm a dick for pointing it out.

NutBucket was trolling, like 90% of people who post in any of the social subforums. Way to support the trend.

You call that a clarifying question? That wasn't what I was asking in the OP.

Pot, kettle.

I hope your question has been answered. And no, I've not tried Pilot Super Sports.

 

[JCH13]

I recently swapped over from 215/40/17 tires to 215/45/17 snow tires for the winter in my 850r. The ride quality of bumps improved a ton with the added meat on the tires. Since I switched to snows from summer tires, however - obviously it's hard to judge the difference the the sidewall size made in an apples to apples comparison.

If comparing two tires of the same type, will a 215/45/17 tire have more noticeable sidewall flex than a 215/40/17 tire? I assume it's just a bit, but I wanted to see if anyone had experience in this area. Since moving to new struts/shocks and switching to pretty stiff springs, my butt and my passengers butts have been paying for it. The roads around my work are torn to hell, so I'm hoping I won't gain too much sidewall flex by moving to 215/45/17 summer tires in the spring.

Another question: has anyone here tried Michelin Pilot Super Sports?

Your increase in ride quality is most likely a direct result of a softer sidewall. You can't have both a stiff sidewall and compliant ride without making other suspension changes. Short answer: yes, a taller tire will have more sidewall flex, generally.

You seem to be concerned that a softer sidewall will adversely affect your handling, citing a hope to not "gain too much sidewall flex". Don't be concerned. You're driving a Volvo 850, not a sports car by any stretch of any imagination. It is a "compact executive" car. Unless you're actually taking it to the track, trying to shave a few tenths off of your lap time, you'll never notice the performance difference. Get soft, squishy tires and enjoy the car as it was meant to be: a very comfortable ride.

 

[goobernoodles]

Pot, kettle.

I hope your question has been answered. And no, I've not tried Pilot Super Sports.

I hope that didn't take up too much of your day finding that piece of gold... Good job MacGyver.

Your increase in ride quality is most likely a direct result of a softer sidewall. You can't have both a stiff sidewall and compliant ride without making other suspension changes.

You seem to be concerned that a softer sidewall will adversely affect your handling, citing a hope to not "gain too much sidewall flex". Don't be concerned. You're driving a Volvo 850, not a sports car by any stretch of any imagination. It is a "compact executive" car. Unless you're actually taking it to the track, trying to shave a few tenths off of your lap time, you'll never notice the performance difference. Get soft, squishy tires and enjoy the car as it was meant to be: a very comfortable ride.

You're clearly missing the point. This isn't what I was asking. I was simply asking... if taking two tires of the same make and model, the only exception being one is 215/40/17 and the other being 215/45/17... how much of a real world difference would you see in the "45" tire?

I honestly cannot believe how many posts I've made just to try to make this point.

 

[JCH13]

Your increase in ride quality is most likely a direct result of a softer sidewall. You can't have both a stiff sidewall and compliant ride without making other suspension changes. Short answer: yes, a taller tire will have more sidewall flex, generally.

You seem to be concerned that a softer sidewall will adversely affect your handling, citing a hope to not "gain too much sidewall flex". Don't be concerned. You're driving a Volvo 850, not a sports car by any stretch of any imagination. It is a "compact executive" car. Unless you're actually taking it to the track, trying to shave a few tenths off of your lap time, you'll never notice the performance difference. Get soft, squishy tires and enjoy the car as it was meant to be: a very comfortable ride.

I hope that didn't take up too much of your day finding that piece of gold... Good job MacGyver.

You're clearly missing the point. This isn't what I was asking. I was simply asking... if taking two tires of the same make and model, the only exception being one is 215/40/17 and the other being 215/45/17... how much of a real world difference would you see in the "45" tire?

I honestly cannot believe how many posts I've made just to try to make this point.

Did you actually read and understand my post?

 

[exdeath]

86 mm vs ~97 mm sidewall...

Brand of tire, compound, sidewall construction, air pressure, tread pattern, and temperature are going to have a more profound effect on perceived ride quality than 7/16ths of sidewall will.

 

[goobernoodles]

86 mm vs ~97 mm sidewall...

Brand of tire, compound, sidewall construction, air pressure, tread pattern, and temperature are going to have a more profound effect on perceived ride quality than 7/16ths of sidewall will.

It took far too long for this post to pop up.

 

[SparkyJJO]

/facepalm

 

[woodie1]

It took far too long for this post to pop up.

I wonder, could your attitude have anything to do with the delay?

 

[kornphlake]

It took far too long for this post to pop up.

And here I was thinking that anybody who really cared for that answer would have found that answer with a google search. Honestly I was afraid to answer the question because I thought you were after a subjective comparison, between two tire sizes. It might be a little unfair that people jumped on your case for not being clear, but your reaction didn't help you get to the answer any faster did it?

BTW this crowd loves their Subarus, if you ever make any comment that could possibly be considered less than unconditional praise, your post will be bookmarked for future evidence against you. You may want to check your MacGyver reference, JLee seemed more like Perry Mason to me.

 

[herm0016]

wow, you guys sure are jumpy.

the snow tires will, generally also have a much softer compound. The snows on my truck ride better than the A/T of the same size because of the softer compound and the amount of siping.

 

[Ferzerp]

Wow, come in and be an ass to everyone, but then call everyone else trolls when they don't respond well to the attitude.

That seems to be happening too much lately.