Rubber for the S
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Charlotte, NC
Rubber for the S
Hey all,
I am looking for some new rubber for the S. I think I want to run a 215 244 or 215 255 setup. Also what should the middle number be? I know its tire ratio basically its to tell you how thick your tires are. But should the fronts be thicker then the back?
I have a budget like most people and would like the keep the tires in the <400 range for a set.
I am thinking about getting BFGoodrich g-force Sport 215/55z/16 $81.00
255/50z/16 $116.00
All other suggestions would be greatly appriciated
THX
I am looking for some new rubber for the S. I think I want to run a 215 244 or 215 255 setup. Also what should the middle number be? I know its tire ratio basically its to tell you how thick your tires are. But should the fronts be thicker then the back?
I have a budget like most people and would like the keep the tires in the <400 range for a set.
I am thinking about getting BFGoodrich g-force Sport 215/55z/16 $81.00
255/50z/16 $116.00
All other suggestions would be greatly appriciated
THX
work for me well in rain and dry 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 125
From: Pawtucket, RI
The tire sizes you mention are significantly taller than stock, at 25.4" front and 25.7" rear. Stock tires are ~24.9" in diameter.
Fronts should have the same sidewall height as rears (=> same tire diameter). What the "middle number" should be depends on width, as it represents the sidewall height as a percentage of section width. Tire size designation explained here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=7
The first step in buying tires is to determine exactly what you want/need from a set of tires:
Max dry grip? (Extreme Performance)
Max wet/dry grip? (Maximum Performance)
Longer life? (Ultra High Performance)
Usage in snow/ice or in cold temps (<40deg)? (UHP All-Season OR summer tires + winter tires)
Price a factor?
Clickie on the Tire Rack banner above and go to town picking out the best tires for your usage. The greatest selection for AP1 is in the stock 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear sizes. Alternate rear size = 245/45-16, which is .3" shorter than stock diameter. With the shorter rear size you might consider going with 205/50-16 fronts, which are 0.8" shorter than stock, 0.5" shorter than 245/45-16. 215/50-16 fronts would be a better size match for 245/45-16 rears, but there's little/no selection in this size combination.
The Tire Rack website is a great resource, but they do not carry Falken or Toyo tires.
Fronts should have the same sidewall height as rears (=> same tire diameter). What the "middle number" should be depends on width, as it represents the sidewall height as a percentage of section width. Tire size designation explained here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...e.jsp?techid=7
The first step in buying tires is to determine exactly what you want/need from a set of tires:
Max dry grip? (Extreme Performance)
Max wet/dry grip? (Maximum Performance)
Longer life? (Ultra High Performance)
Usage in snow/ice or in cold temps (<40deg)? (UHP All-Season OR summer tires + winter tires)
Price a factor?
Clickie on the Tire Rack banner above and go to town picking out the best tires for your usage. The greatest selection for AP1 is in the stock 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear sizes. Alternate rear size = 245/45-16, which is .3" shorter than stock diameter. With the shorter rear size you might consider going with 205/50-16 fronts, which are 0.8" shorter than stock, 0.5" shorter than 245/45-16. 215/50-16 fronts would be a better size match for 245/45-16 rears, but there's little/no selection in this size combination.
The Tire Rack website is a great resource, but they do not carry Falken or Toyo tires.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 521
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From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by ZDan,Nov 9 2008, 05:47 AM
The greatest selection for AP1 is in the stock 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear sizes.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48572
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 125
From: Pawtucket, RI
IMO the stickie overstates the importance of getting 245/45-16 tires. 225/50-16 are fine for the rear.
In any case, there are far fewer serious performance tires available in 245/45-16 than in 225/50-16. Tire Rack lists only 1 tire model in the maximum or extreme performance categories in 245/45-16 vs. 14 tires in 225/50-16. If you pick the one 245/45-16 tire (Hankook RS2) you are almost certainly going to be giving up rear grip vs. the best tires in 225/50-16 size (Bridgestone RE01R and Dunlop Z1 StarSpec).
The most important thing is to select a tire make/model within a performance category appropriate for your needs (see questions in above post). Outright section or tread width is a secondary consideration.
In any case, there are far fewer serious performance tires available in 245/45-16 than in 225/50-16. Tire Rack lists only 1 tire model in the maximum or extreme performance categories in 245/45-16 vs. 14 tires in 225/50-16. If you pick the one 245/45-16 tire (Hankook RS2) you are almost certainly going to be giving up rear grip vs. the best tires in 225/50-16 size (Bridgestone RE01R and Dunlop Z1 StarSpec).
The most important thing is to select a tire make/model within a performance category appropriate for your needs (see questions in above post). Outright section or tread width is a secondary consideration.
i run them on the track and their great
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