Hello,

I recently purchased a new 2007 Honda Accord Coupe LX V6. Since this was the V6 model, it came with the 17” Alloy wheels. It is completely stock with no lowering kit or anything like that.

Car:
2007 Honda Accord Coupe LX V6
Completely stock, no modifications or lowering
Only things added by dealer were mud guards and wheel locks
17" Alloy wheels and Michelin MXM4 tires in P215 / 50 / 17

The tires that come with the 17” alloy wheels are Michelin MXM4 tires in P215 / 50 / 17. Being 50% sidewall height (10.8 cm sidewall height), they cause the rim to sit fairly low to the ground. I think this is why my new Accord has a rougher ride than I’m used to with regular passenger cars. Also, I commute to work through Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, CA, and this road is probably one of the most highly commuted and worst road in the nation. There are potholes everywhere and small trenches maybe 2” deep due and running perpendicular to the road. As I travel over these poor roads at about 40 miles per hour, I would hate to have a bent rim (I do know that the OEM Honda rims are much stronger than some cheap aftermarket rims, but still it could happen).


So, I’d like to solve two issues: (1) improve ride comfort and (2) decrease the chance of a bent or damaged rim.

My proposed solution is to buy a “meatier” tire. I would like to keep the same OEM 17” rims and get tires in P215 / 65 17. That will make the sidewall height almost 14 cm high.

So I need your opinion and technical advice on this idea…

Is i a good idea? - Will this tire and rim combination fit in my wheel well (with no rubbing)? - Will this improve the ride comfort? - Will this reduce the change of a bent or damaged rim? Thank you for any and all advice!!!

 

you need to keep the outside diameter the same, or at least close. if you go with a thicker sidewall, then you need to get a smaller rim. otherwise your speedo will be way off, regardless of rubbing or other issues.

take a look at this

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html