How much does a225/45 R17tyre cost?

225/45 R17 is the OE-fit on a long list of premium German saloons and hot hatches. BMW 3 Series F30 and G20 Sport trim. Audi A4 B9 S Line. Mercedes C-Class W205 and W206 AMG Line. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 and Mk8. SEAT Leon FR. The size sits at the cross-over between mainstream-saloon comfort and performance-car cornering, which is why it has stayed dominant in the executive segment for the better part of a decade.

The 45-series profile is the key technical feature. With a sidewall just 101mm tall (45 per cent of the 225mm section width), the tyre is significantly stiffer than the 55-series profile on a Golf or Focus base trim. Stiffer sidewalls deliver sharper turn-in response and reduce body roll under hard cornering, both of which are why performance saloons specify this size. The trade-off is a less compliant ride on uneven UK B-roads and lower puncture resistance against pothole impacts. The lower sidewall also costs more to manufacture, which is part of why the price premium over 205/55 R16 runs around 30 to 40 per cent.

The run-flat (RFT) question is the second cost driver. BMW and Mini configure their cars without a spare wheel, instead relying on RFT tyres that can be driven up to 50 miles at 50mph after losing pressure. The RFT sidewall is heavily reinforced to support the car's weight when deflated, which adds cost and reduces ride compliance. RFT versions of the same Continental or Michelin tyre cost 30 to 50 per cent more than standard. Across a set of 4, that means a BMW 3 Series owner is looking at £700 to £1,080 for a full premium RFT set, against £450 to £660 for the same brand non-RFT.

Switching from RFT to standard is technically possible on most BMW and Mini cars but comes with caveats. The car's suspension was tuned around the stiffer RFT sidewall, so the ride softens noticeably (some owners prefer this; others find the change unsettling). The tyre-pressure monitoring system needs recalibration to the standard-tyre pressure assumptions. Some warranty cover on the tyre-pressure-related modules may be affected. And critically, the owner must carry an aftermarket spare wheel or rely on a puncture-repair kit, neither of which is as convenient as the OE RFT design. The saving is real (£250 to £400 per set on premium brands) but not free.

The best mid-range options at this size in 2026 are the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, the Falken Azenis FK510 and the Toyo Proxes Sport. All three are B wet-grip rated, deliver 25,000 to 30,000 mile typical life and sell for £80 to £115 per tyre before fitting. The Hankook is the all-rounder; the Falken leans sporty in dry handling; the Toyo is the most comfortable on motorway. None match the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 or Continental PremiumContact 7 on the limit, but for daily-use motoring the gap is small enough that the £40-£60 per-tyre saving is the right call for most drivers.

At the premium end, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, Continental PremiumContact 7 and Pirelli Cinturato P7 are the three names that dominate. The Michelin tends to win on outright performance and lap-time in test conditions. The Continental tends to win on wet braking. The Pirelli sits between them with a slight bias toward sport feel. For the heavier saloons (Audi A4, BMW 5 Series), Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 is also worth considering for its excellent dry grip and tread life.