How bad is it to run a little smaller overall diameter tires than stock?
 

I really want a stance like this:


http://www.tyrestretch.com/8_215_35_...T_S800.jpg.php

Unless you guys can convince me that the downsides outweigh the sexy stance!

I hit up the Tire calculator and it said my speedo would be 3.1% slow. Is this acceptable so long as all tires are the same size?

Also, I heard 35 series run very rough. I know that logically less sidewall = more discomfort, but would you guys recommend 40 series over 35 with the result being less stretch?

Something more akin to this:

http://www.tyrestretch.com/8.5_215_4...282%29.jpg.php

There are plenty of people here who do or have run tires with a 35% sidewall, myself included. Now I ride with a 45% sidewall, and it's definitely smoother, and I don't have to worry about potholes and driveways like I used to. If you feel like you can avoid potholes on a regular basis, then you'll be fine :)

What are you gonna rust out your hood, drop your car to the ground, and get a bike rack without owning a bike now too? Stretched tires is a low and slow VDub thing. Stick with better handling and a "faster" look, (which is the Audi thing) just my 2 cents.

Well I want a mild stretch. I like the look, and I'm going for a "hella flush" kinda thing, so i also need the low profile to minimize clearance requirements. I'm definitely taking this thing on gravel roads and such, so should I avoid the 35s? Could Nick or Alex chime in as far as what tire profile they are/going to be running?

I hate 215/35/18 on our cars. you would be fine running them, but the tires are just really skinny for 18s and the smaller diameter looks abnormal in the wheel well of a b5. it can be pulled off if you're low but in my opinion, the amount of wheel gap won't match the amount of lowness, if you know what I mean..
not the best examples or really comparable cars, but here's nic's (lazer viking) with 215/35. it's low and looks good but barely tucking tire which I don't really like...
Attachment 35280
and paul's (pq) with the more proper size 215/40. it's bagged and slammed with a good amount of tucking
https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150...e6b2012a_b.jpg
I have no personal experience with any of this but smaller tires = less rubbing and more low and less comfort and less tucking and less perfect speedometer and a better chance of bending wheels
I wouldn't really consider stretched tires to be a low and slow vdub thing because a lot of scenes have been stretching tires including drift cars that don't at all drive carefully low and slow
another thing to take into consideration, different tires have different sidewall designs and some stretch more easily than others

I agree with Alex, low cars without much tucking look a bit strange. Riding on a 40's series tire was definitely rougher than my 45 series, it wasn't terrible but it was noticeable. I don't have much stretch at all, it's more of a bend. 215/45 on an 8.5 inch wheel. This spring I'm going to go with 205/45, because I like the tucking and the extra stetch will allow me to be "hellaflush" up front without much, if any, rubbing when I turn.

Basically I'd stick to stretching the tire more to avoid rubbing as opposed to going with a smaller profile. :)

Well I'm not a huge fan of tuck, I like poke much more. That said, I agree with the overall diameter vs wheel well issue. I'll probably go with a 40 series.

Would you recommend going for a smaller width than 215 for my 8.5" wheels so I can haz hellaflush?

I don't understand the "poke" or "stretch" look. To me it looks like you bought the wrong size tires or you got them on sale. More rubber to the pavement makes for better handling and as a bonus, a smoother ride. Plus, as a bonus you get to hear the familiar ZZIIIING when a valet brings your ride up to a curb. That's the sound of your expensive rim scraping the curb and valet's don't pay for that. I've seen it/heard it on SLR's. To each his own, I guess.

I went wider and love the look/handling/ride. My wheels are pretty flush with the fenders.

Just my 2 cents.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...d/P1010604.jpg

you could do 205/40
http://www.tyrestretch.com/albums/8....zion_HRi_2.jpg

what wheels are you talking about anyway?

Attachment 35245

18x8.5