Tyres for SP12 size wheels
Discussion
Hi everyone,
As the title suggests, I'm looking at which tyres to get for the new wheels I am soon to order.
The wheels specs are very similar to the SP12, see below:
Fronts: 4x108, 17 inch, ET25, 7J
Rears: 4x108, 18 inch, ET35, 8J
I believe these to be almost identical to SP12s, the only difference being ET33 for the rears.
As for tyres, I had been looking at Michelin Pilot Sport 4s, again see below:
Fronts: 215/40 R17 Y
Rears: 245/35 R18 Y
If anyone can confirm all these specs are pretty accurate and should fit my car (1998 Chim 400) I would greatly appreciate it before spending a good bit of cash!
Thanks in advance!
As the title suggests, I'm looking at which tyres to get for the new wheels I am soon to order.
The wheels specs are very similar to the SP12, see below:
Fronts: 4x108, 17 inch, ET25, 7J
Rears: 4x108, 18 inch, ET35, 8J
I believe these to be almost identical to SP12s, the only difference being ET33 for the rears.
As for tyres, I had been looking at Michelin Pilot Sport 4s, again see below:
Fronts: 215/40 R17 Y
Rears: 245/35 R18 Y
If anyone can confirm all these specs are pretty accurate and should fit my car (1998 Chim 400) I would greatly appreciate it before spending a good bit of cash!
Thanks in advance!
Edited by Spiike on Wednesday 23 October 16:46
I quite like the original wheels and I'm not a huge fan of the SP12s, so I'm going for Japan Racing JR3 as they were the closest similar style wheel I could find to the originals in the larger size. I'll be ordering them in Bronze before having them resprayed silver and baked, as the sizes we need aren't made in silver.
Hi Spike
I have SP12s and have run 215/45 17 on the front and 235/40 18 on the rear.
These come out at 624mm front and 645mm rear diameter, which is bigger than standard, fit fine, don't rub, and look fine.
The Michelin Pilots you list would probably be branded Heineken if Heineken made tyres - sort of thing high powered Porsches are shod with for the Ring. Great tyre, wish i could afford them.
I have previously had issues with track tyres wider than 235 on the rear rubbing on the wheel arches, as did a friend when he borrowed them, but you may well not, as many people run 245 road tyres on Chimaeras, and road tyres have more rounded shoulders than track tyres........but if you do, you can always thin down the wheel arch insides a tad.
I am not a fan of 35 ratio tyres on these cars because i feel it may detract from the ride quality, but that is only my feeling, not based on any fact.
In terms or diameter and hence ride height, the sizes you have selected are very very close, and as close as you are going to get, to the standard Chimaera sizes, at 603mm and 628.5mm diameter.
Good luck, and please post photos when they are fitted
I have SP12s and have run 215/45 17 on the front and 235/40 18 on the rear.
These come out at 624mm front and 645mm rear diameter, which is bigger than standard, fit fine, don't rub, and look fine.
The Michelin Pilots you list would probably be branded Heineken if Heineken made tyres - sort of thing high powered Porsches are shod with for the Ring. Great tyre, wish i could afford them.
I have previously had issues with track tyres wider than 235 on the rear rubbing on the wheel arches, as did a friend when he borrowed them, but you may well not, as many people run 245 road tyres on Chimaeras, and road tyres have more rounded shoulders than track tyres........but if you do, you can always thin down the wheel arch insides a tad.
I am not a fan of 35 ratio tyres on these cars because i feel it may detract from the ride quality, but that is only my feeling, not based on any fact.
In terms or diameter and hence ride height, the sizes you have selected are very very close, and as close as you are going to get, to the standard Chimaera sizes, at 603mm and 628.5mm diameter.
Good luck, and please post photos when they are fitted
QBee said:
Hi Spike
I have SP12s and have run 215/45 17 on the front and 235/40 18 on the rear.
These come out at 624mm front and 645mm rear diameter, which is bigger than standard, fit fine, don't rub, and look fine.
The Michelin Pilots you list would probably be branded Heineken if Heineken made tyres - sort of thing high powered Porsches are shod with for the Ring. Great tyre, wish i could afford them.
I have previously had issues with track tyres wider than 235 on the rear rubbing on the wheel arches, as did a friend when he borrowed them, but you may well not, as many people run 245 road tyres on Chimaeras, and road tyres have more rounded shoulders than track tyres........but if you do, you can always thin down the wheel arch insides a tad.
I am not a fan of 35 ratio tyres on these cars because i feel it may detract from the ride quality, but that is only my feeling, not based on any fact.
In terms or diameter and hence ride height, the sizes you have selected are very very close, and as close as you are going to get, to the standard Chimaera sizes, at 603mm and 628.5mm diameter.
Good luck, and please post photos when they are fitted
And a 235/45/17 is almost exactly the same size dia as 235/40/18 I have SP12s and have run 215/45 17 on the front and 235/40 18 on the rear.
These come out at 624mm front and 645mm rear diameter, which is bigger than standard, fit fine, don't rub, and look fine.
The Michelin Pilots you list would probably be branded Heineken if Heineken made tyres - sort of thing high powered Porsches are shod with for the Ring. Great tyre, wish i could afford them.
I have previously had issues with track tyres wider than 235 on the rear rubbing on the wheel arches, as did a friend when he borrowed them, but you may well not, as many people run 245 road tyres on Chimaeras, and road tyres have more rounded shoulders than track tyres........but if you do, you can always thin down the wheel arch insides a tad.
I am not a fan of 35 ratio tyres on these cars because i feel it may detract from the ride quality, but that is only my feeling, not based on any fact.
In terms or diameter and hence ride height, the sizes you have selected are very very close, and as close as you are going to get, to the standard Chimaera sizes, at 603mm and 628.5mm diameter.
Good luck, and please post photos when they are fitted
I use the 235/45/17 on my rears and they fill the arch more so to speak. I agree the extra profile height really helps for handling on bumpy surfaces. You are increasing gearing very slightly which is no bad thing.
I’m using Azev wheels which retain a Tvr look but slightly more angular which I quiet like.
Rears with said sized tyre using Rainsport cheapies
ace tyre though for all conditions 
Photo call
QBee said:
The Michelin Pilots you list would probably be branded Heineken if Heineken made tyres - sort of thing high powered Porsches are shod with for the Ring. Great tyre, wish i could afford them.
Thanks for the replies everyone, lots of helpful info! QBee, in those sizes they are currently available for £420 delivered, which all in all isn't too bad in my eyes. The other option would have been Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 5's, worked out about £30 less so thought i'd stick with the Michelin
Spiike said:
QBee said:
The Michelin Pilots you list would probably be branded Heineken if Heineken made tyres - sort of thing high powered Porsches are shod with for the Ring. Great tyre, wish i could afford them.
Thanks for the replies everyone, lots of helpful info! QBee, in those sizes they are currently available for £420 delivered, which all in all isn't too bad in my eyes. The other option would have been Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 5's, worked out about £30 less so thought i'd stick with the Michelin
QBee said:
Note made, because if I am remembering the exact Michelin Pilot Sport Cups correctly, they get absolutely rave handling reviews, even on track days.
You would be correct, the Pilot Sport 4's are more a road use tyre, but generally one of the very best available, the pilot sport cup tyres would be more of a road/track tyre, which may account for the extra cost. I don't track my car so the normal Pilot Sport 4's are perfect for me Spiike said:
QBee said:
Note made, because if I am remembering the exact Michelin Pilot Sport Cups correctly, they get absolutely rave handling reviews, even on track days.
You would be correct, the Pilot Sport 4's are more a road use tyre, but generally one of the very best available, the pilot sport cup tyres would be more of a road/track tyre, which may account for the extra cost. I don't track my car so the normal Pilot Sport 4's are perfect for me 
17 inch wheels all round, slicks in this case, 215/45/17, ex Clio Cup tyres.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff