Tires for 18x8.5 Wheels Options

[Fastbird]

Going to get a new wheel after a year and get the HPR5 rims back on the Celi this spring. The 215/35-18 tires just had too much stretch and didn't offer enough protection of teh rim, so I'm going wider. I've seen pics of the 225/40-18 tires, and those are better but still a bit thin for a 8.5" wide wheel.

Has anyone run a 235/40-18 on an 8.5" wide 18" rim, and if you did, were you lowered and did you experience any rubbing issues??

[6strngs]

in your signature you say that they are 18x8... anyway, you can fit probably up to a 255, maybe even 265 on a 8.5" wheel. however, probably won't fit on your car. lol. 245/40/18 is a pretty common size, but perhaps not low-pro enough for you. a couple people make 245/35/18, but they are pretty pricy. again, a 245 might rub too. the stretched look you've got now is very common on european cars and also 240sx's, but I guess not quite your style? anyway, a bunch of companies makes 235/40/18s, and a couple also make 225/35/18. maybe you'd be happier with one of those sizes.

[Fastbird]

in your signature you say that they are 18x8...

Huh....look at that. Been a while since I've thought about those wheels. How embarrassing. Ok........after some searching, I think a 245/35-18 is what I'm going to try. I'm doing some maintenance this weekend so I'm going to put a wheel back on the car and see if I've got clearance for a 245/35. It's only marginally larger than the 215/35-18 so it shouldn't pose a tremendous issue.

I absolutely HATE the stretched sidewall look. It's hideously stupid looking, and is a really dumb idea because it's much easier to break the bead if you clip a curb, not to mention the lack of rim lip protection. Go lower profile but wider tire and you'll still have essentially the same effective sidewall height. I KNOW a 245 fits a 8" wide wheel good because my old Firebirds had 245/50-16's on 16x8 wheels and it was a little tiny bit wider than the wheel itself. Much better for wheel protection, larger contact patch, and better handling..........

Sadly, I'm looking at $150 a tire min. That's chump change though considering my Vette tires cost me $1200.