Bigger tires?

[Donovan]

Has anybody uses a 245/55 or 245/50 on stock wheels? how about a 235/60 vs the 235/55 that is a popular size. Id like to get something wider and better looking on the car and use the stock wheels if possible. Wife isn't going to take well to spending even more money on wheels, but we agree on how terrible the stock tires are. '12 Outback 3.6R

[bradze]

id stick with 225, thats a lot of sidewall flex. i was in your shoes and just ended up getting wider wheels. theyre almost 9 lbs a piece lighter too. better tires even in 225 will make a huge difference. those contis are awful! maybe get a tire with a shorter sidewall.

[Donovan]

Originally Posted by bradze

id stick with 225, thats a lot of sidewall flex. i was in your shoes and just ended up getting wider wheels. theyre almost 9 lbs a piece lighter. better tires even in 225 will make a huge difference. those contis are awful! maybe get a tire with a shorter sidewall.

Well the 235/55 is pretty dang near the original height and a little wider. I think the 225s look a little silly on the car. I would rather have the wider wheels too, but they are not in the budget this winter.

[bradze]

235/55 is what i have. about an inch wider. i have kumho ecsta 4x, i love em but the ride is a bit firmer now, but my ultra bitchy wife and stepdaughter haven't said anything.

[NinjaTurtle2.5]

I just got a set of 235/60/17 Michelin Primacy mxv4 tires, love them

[05 llbean]

Do the 235/60/17 primacys fit on the stock rims? I had michelin primacy mxv4s on my 05 and they were great.

[Donovan]

So the 235/60 17 works with the stock wheel I imagine? I'll have to look tghem up to see the difference in diameter. I'm leaning towards the 55 AR over the 60 slightly just because the car is already a little floaty but the 60 would fil up the wheel arch nicely. No issues rubbing with that large of a tire?

[RJM]

I've learned long ago not to alter the original design of the running gear of a car. I'm certain if any problems arise as a result of the customizing the warranty is in doubt. I'm no engineer but I' also certain when you alter one aspect of something mechanical it will have an effect somewhere else.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by RJM

I've learned long ago not to alter the original design of the running gear of a car. I'm certain if any problems arise as a result of the customizing the warranty is in doubt. I'm no engineer but I' also certain when you alter one aspect of something mechanical it will have an effect somewhere else.

X2, especially on a car that already has steering issues like shakes and wandering.
Clearance it tight in both wheel wells to start with. At the very least, different size tires will change speedometer and odometer readings. Full lock steering might also be compromised.
I love custom wheels and tires but I think the OB is best left alone.

[mrz415]

Wont bigger tires mess with the tranny/4wd system by adding stress to the cv boots ?