Hi fellow S drivers I am in the market for some rear tires for my 04 and while I continue to research the best option for my needs which is DD to work and some errands only by the way. I have not come upon the speed rating topic once, Can or should it matter as long as the tire is oem size? I know that for ap2's they are 245-40-17 and rated @91W so would it matter if I got some tires with a Z,V, or Y rating? Input would be appreciated.

 

As long as you drive at normal highway speeds I don't think it matters much. You may lose some of the finer handling characteristics if you go with a traditional radial (comfort vs performance), that is just a wild opionion, and not based on any professional knowledge or experience though.

 

My other comment is why would you not choose a rated tire with so many choice out there at all price ranges?

 

Z-rated (over 149mph) would be fine for the S's top speed of 155mph. If you never exceed 149mph (this applies to 99.9% of us), V-rated is totally fine.

Tires you eliminate from consideration for the AP1 if you insist on "W or Y, but nothing less":
Bridgestone RE-11
Dunlop Star Spec
Yokohama AD08

These tires are all W-rated for AP2 sizes, but still, I think it's not the best advice to *insist* on nothing less than a W (168mph) rating when Z or V would be perfectly fine. Unless you're in Germany, where you can get a ticket for not having tire speed rating higher than the car's top speed...

 

I agree with the V speed rated tires for the AP1. The tires you listed are the best handling tires on the car. I would actuall say V speed rated or higher and you will be fine. If with a blast to 155 on a V speed rated tire you will be fine. You would have to run 155 mph for hours on end to have an issue and there is no where you can do that.
If I can help let me know.

 

Kool thanks to all of you for your input and about speeding with the S nah can't do it even if I wanted to I have a CDL and if I get caught speeding it's over for my business! So not looking to hit the redline constantly. I just want a pair of nice tires that will last a bit with no major issues, I don't commute far and every where I go is about 15-25 min tops within my living radius.

 

I don't base my tire-buying decisions on speed rating ever. I have always focused on grip rating and sidewall stiffness. Bottomline...if you're hitting 140mph, you'd better be on a pretty awesome track with some R-comps.

 

Very interesting points from all, Is there any complications on AP2's with running 245-45-17 tires instead of the 245-40-17 original tires on the rear?

 

You probably don't want to go to H rating. But I was taught to maintain balanced handling, especially in a car such as ours wwhich can exhibit power oversteer. If you change the speed rating it must be all four tires must be same, don't mix and match different speed ratings.

 

Ok according to our owners manual tires (for AP2) are fronts 215/45R17 87W and rears 245/40R17/ 91W, So Can I put rear tires that are 245/45R17/95W? aspect ratio from 40-45 and rating from 91W to 95W? What do you think?