Hi everyone,

I need some new tires for my '01 AP1 with stock wheels. For some background, I would consider myself a spirited driver, but I don't autocross or track my car, and I don't drive like a madman on public roads. Having said that I do want a tight handling tire with direct steering feel and decent wet weather performance since one never knows when a rain storm will pop up. I'm currently running S02's and I have no complaints with them, but they are also the only tires that have been on my car since I've owned it.

So I did some research and was leaning towards either the BFG G-Force Sport Comp-2 or the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500.

So far, so good...

Then I ready the sticky on this forum about the proper size for rear tires on AP1's with stock rims. The sticky recommends 245/45/16 for the rear if not buying S02's. From what I see on TireRack the Firestones are not offered in 245/45/16.

Next I compared the Tread Width spec for the stock size of 225/50/16 on TireRack and here is what I found:

S02's = 8.1"
BFG = 9"
Firestone = 7.7"

So that leads me to believe that the BFG's in stock size have more contact patch than the original S02's, and my only choice in the Firestones are a reduced contact patch compared the the S02s.

My question is, is the contact patch that important ?

Based on what I'm seeing the BFG's in stock size would be my best bet.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

Pick up some oem ap2 17" used (may even find with good tires) and either sell the 16" or keep them to outfit with winter tires or when returning car back to stock. So many more options for tires in 17". That's what I would do.

 

No. The effect of tread width on street grip is way overstated. Stock AP1 sizes are totally fine, forget the stickie and its misguided insistence on 245/45-16 rears.

Pick a tire make/model based on your wants/needs/usage, NOT on its section width or tread width.

There are plenty of great tires available for any usage in the stock AP1 sizes.

 

Me too. In fact, that is what I did do. I have a set of ap2 v3 wheels. I kept my 16" ap1 wheels for storage with old tires. I just bought some Volk ce28 wheels so I may be selling my ap2 v3 wheels this summer if anyone is interested.

Also, I'm no expert, but I would not assume that wider tread translates in to larger contact patch. Might just mean a different shape contact patch.

 

Compared to the 17" wheels on the 2004+ AP2 cars you're not going to get top handling on AP1 16" wheels. The tires are just not there any more. If they ever were. Before spending $700+ on a set of Bridgestone S-02 tires (which are "Porsche" spec, not S2000) seriously search for a set of OEM 17" wheels where there are more capable tires available. Will cost you more since you're buying wheels too, but you'll get better handling and more fun.

Best handling tires are normally sold as "summer" tires, not all season.

-- Chuck

 

RE71R, RS3, RS4, AD08, ZII StarSpec,RE11, etc, all available in 205/55-16 and 225/50-16.

 

Thanks, I have no doubt that AP2 wheels/tires are better than AP1's, however, that isn't in the cards for me right now.

So, I need to make the best choice possible for AP1 Wheels.

 

This. There are a lot of good options in the stock sizes. Any of the options listed here would be a noticeable improvement over the S02.

 

Gawd, 205/225 seems so tiny on this car lol Don't even remember what that feels like. Been running a 255/295 stagger for years on my Frankenstein ap1 and just moved to 275/315 this year.

 

Lots of folks prefer stock tire sizes for street driving.