225 45 17 in place of 235 45 17?

[W124ali]

Hi

I am looking to buy a set of W210 alloy wheels. The alloys currently have 225 45 17 tyres fitted but from experience I know that these particular alloys originally came with 235 45 17 tyres fitted.
My question is: is it ok to have 225 45 17 tyres fitted or must the 235 45 17 be fitted? I ask in terms of safety and looks.

Regards

 

[hotrodder]

Personally i've never understood why 235/45 r17 is commonly seen as the recommended tyre size for 124s and (i think?) 210s... compared to the standard tyre sizes with a 15" wheel a 225/45 r17 is a chunk closer to the circumference of a 195/65 r15 or 205/60 r15 tyre and usually a better match for many of the 17" wheels i.e. most of the MB designs are 7.5" width
195-65R15 vs 205-60R15 vs 225-45R17 vs 235-45R17 - Tire and Wheel Plus Sizing | Tire Size Calculator if the link works properly should show a comparison of all 4 sizes, there's less than 1mm in it between a 195/65r15 and a 225/45r17 and a relatively large circumference difference between a 205/60 and a 235/45

Nothing to worry about safety wise, if anything a 225/45 will be less likely to touch bodywork but that probably only applies to the fronts on a 124*. Assuming the wheels are 17 x 7.5J then while there's little in it a 225/45 looks better IMO being bang in the middle of the ideal wheel width for that tyre size

* Obviously wheel ET makes a difference but from personal experience a 225/45 r17 on the common wheel sizes/offsets will occasionally touch the inside edge of the cladding at the rear of the front wheelarches on a 124 unless the wings are shimmed per the official fitting instructions or other mods are done like limiting bump travel or fitting spine shattering lowering springs so the suspension never compresses enough etc

 

[renault12ts]

The standard 16" wheel fitted to a 210 is 215/55...giving a sidewall of 118.25mm.

A 235/45 17 gives a sidewall of 105.75mm plus the extra 12.5mm wheel size...so 118.25mm.

Therefore the correct size for your 210 is 235/45 17...but a 225/45 will have no detrimental effect...assuming you are putting these wheels on your 210.