Best Tire Choice for AP1 running OEM 17s in New England weather?
05-17-2017, 12:08 PM
#1
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Tire Choices for AP1 running OEM 17s in New England weather?
Want to upgrade to AP2V1 wheels my 2000 AP1 and was pondering what would be my best bet for tires.
a) Size: is it true that the CR sizes 215 front and 255 rear help with oversteer on AP1s or should I stick with the stock 17 sizes at 215 front / 245 rear? Also read some are using 225s f / 255s r.
b) Brand/type: Given that I’ll be driving the car in MA mainly on weekends, from mid-April to late November, when temps range from low 30s in early spring and fall, to 90s in the summer, what tires would be appropriate?
c) Bonus question. I’m having a hard time finding a full set of refurbished AP2V1 OEM rims at a reasonable price from the same seller (only 2 have them for nearly $1k). I have found refurbished fronts (17x7) from one seller and refurbished rears (17x8.5) from another at much better prices, but I’m afraid the finish might not match. Am I wrong to think that? The other option (as I’m searching for pristine examples) are replicas. Any ideas?
a) Size: is it true that the CR sizes 215 front and 255 rear help with oversteer on AP1s or should I stick with the stock 17 sizes at 215 front / 245 rear? Also read some are using 225s f / 255s r.
b) Brand/type: Given that I’ll be driving the car in MA mainly on weekends, from mid-April to late November, when temps range from low 30s in early spring and fall, to 90s in the summer, what tires would be appropriate?
c) Bonus question. I’m having a hard time finding a full set of refurbished AP2V1 OEM rims at a reasonable price from the same seller (only 2 have them for nearly $1k). I have found refurbished fronts (17x7) from one seller and refurbished rears (17x8.5) from another at much better prices, but I’m afraid the finish might not match. Am I wrong to think that? The other option (as I’m searching for pristine examples) are replicas. Any ideas?
Last edited by plato; 05-17-2017 at 12:26 PM.
05-18-2017, 03:34 AM
#2
Weather in Ohio matches yours. I ran 17" RE-11A tires (215/245) for three seasons (Apr-Nov) but they're no longer available. Currently running 17" Bridgestone S-04 tires in "CR" sizes (215/255) and am very happy with them the past couple thousand miles. My car is a 2006 and my wheels are OEM AP2V2 types.
Most major cities have wheel refurbish shops. 17" wheels are not "correct" for your car anyway and minor finish differences may not be a real concern. A buddy has some on his 2002 car and they're finished in gun-metal grey and look very nice.
-- Chuck
Most major cities have wheel refurbish shops. 17" wheels are not "correct" for your car anyway and minor finish differences may not be a real concern. A buddy has some on his 2002 car and they're finished in gun-metal grey and look very nice.
-- Chuck
Last edited by Chuck S; 05-18-2017 at 03:36 AM.
05-18-2017, 04:50 AM
#3
225/45/17 and 255/40/17 are popular because they work.
The CR's 255mm tyres actually measure close to 245mm in reality.
A real 215 and 255mm combo might help with over steer...but its like trying to put out a blaze with a water bottle.
Either way...no make complex.
225/255 combos work fine ...and 215/245 combos work fine. I think 215/255 combos look weird because 255's are notably taller...but they also work fine.
I'd use 225/255 S04's. Or...a lot of people have been in love with the new Firestones.
As far as wheels go, HELL no to replicas. Refurbs kind of sketch me out a little because, what put them in bad enough condition to need refurbing? Could be minor. Could not be minor.
Try to find some good condition used ones, or use OEM refurbs as a distant 2nd choice.
Have you considered non OEM wheels?
The CR's 255mm tyres actually measure close to 245mm in reality.
A real 215 and 255mm combo might help with over steer...but its like trying to put out a blaze with a water bottle.
Either way...no make complex.
225/255 combos work fine ...and 215/245 combos work fine. I think 215/255 combos look weird because 255's are notably taller...but they also work fine.
I'd use 225/255 S04's. Or...a lot of people have been in love with the new Firestones.
As far as wheels go, HELL no to replicas. Refurbs kind of sketch me out a little because, what put them in bad enough condition to need refurbing? Could be minor. Could not be minor.
Try to find some good condition used ones, or use OEM refurbs as a distant 2nd choice.
Have you considered non OEM wheels?
05-18-2017, 05:03 AM
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I haven't found any non-OEM wheels I like, and certainly none without rolling fenders or dropping the suspension, which I don't want to do. It's an NFR, so it's a tad harder to match wheels without other mods.
05-18-2017, 05:16 AM
#5
My wife's (110010101000% stock) AP2 got a 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 setup. No complaints. I think the size "filled out" and looked better. I'm sure there was some added grip. Neither of us noticed any loss of precision...but theoretically, 215/45 and 245/40 would have better steering response.
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05-18-2017, 12:52 PM
#9
Just curious: Are 17x9 wheels gonna fit all around? OEMs are 7" and 8.5" (F/R)? 215mm tire on a 9" rim?
Beware of TW ratings, they're manipulated by tire manufacturers to fit the (mis)conception that the lower the number the better the grip. Just slap a low number on a mediocre tire and ***Poof*** it's a performance tire!
Test results will tell more. Really sticky tires will have lower TWs but the reverse ain't always true.
-- Chuck
Beware of TW ratings, they're manipulated by tire manufacturers to fit the (mis)conception that the lower the number the better the grip. Just slap a low number on a mediocre tire and ***Poof*** it's a performance tire!
Test results will tell more. Really sticky tires will have lower TWs but the reverse ain't always true.-- Chuck
05-18-2017, 02:44 PM
#10
I also have the S04's in the 215/255 combo. I had read that the steering was not as sharp with the 225's so I went with the 215's. Having come from 16's I have nothing to compare it to.
I went with the 215/255 combo because I am running the CR shocks and springs and a AP2 rear sway bar. So I wanted to match CR sizes if not compounds.
I have enjoyed this setup. The car is much more planted with the wider rubber. Especially in the rear.
For me personally I think the CR setup is how Honda should have built the S2000 from the start.
Just my 2 cents.
I went with the 215/255 combo because I am running the CR shocks and springs and a AP2 rear sway bar. So I wanted to match CR sizes if not compounds.
I have enjoyed this setup. The car is much more planted with the wider rubber. Especially in the rear.
For me personally I think the CR setup is how Honda should have built the S2000 from the start.
Just my 2 cents.
