I've spent an hour searching and have come up with no solution... So I have no choice but to create a new thread for my question.
I own a 2003 Touring 6-Speed
I have discovered stock tires are: 225-45-18 and 245-45-18.
The tires that came on the car are: 225-40-18 and 245-40-18.

Does this make any actual difference? Problems?

I am about to buy a new set of tires, so should I go back to the stock sizes or should I buy a set of tires based on what's already on the car.

Thank You.

 

I would stick to stock size, just makes more sense. But ill let others chime in here.

 

That's what I thought too, why not just stay with stock, but I was wondering if maybe the smaller aspect ratio would really make any difference at all. Can you even notice it's a shorter tire than stock size?

 

The problem is that you are lowering the car 22.5 mm. The OEM spring height remains the same, but the entire car is 22.5 mm closer to the ground. There is a proper and improper way to lower the car.

 

BTW Tire Rack has an excellent selection of tires in the OEM sizes including:

Continental ContiSportContact 3
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
Pirelli PZero Rosso
Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S

I ordered Goodyear Eagle F1 All Season today, and will post a review in a couple of weeks.

 

Thank you for the help guys! Much appreciated. I've been kinda confused why the previous owner would have replaced the tires with shorter sidewall tires. Thank you for the snapshot of the calculator. And thanks for some good tire recommendations!