Reply to "335/35/17 vs 315/35/17 tires"

> my best advice is to run the same make & model tires front & back,
> otherwise you are adding an unpredictable difference in adhesion front
> to back. Not necessarily the end of the world, but not the best idea.
> Running different make or model tires front to back will effect the
> balance between understeer and oversteer to an uncertain degree.

Sorry for the delay in responding, I've been mulling my options.
I included the 315's and narrowed my choice of tires to those with
compatible front tire sizes.

> My Pantera had the Dunlops SP 8000 315/35/17 on it when I bought it.
> I was nuetral about their performance on dry pavement (no complaints,
> no raves either), and impressed by their performance in heavy rain.

As an expedient measure, for the upcoming trip, I swapped the rims
and tires from my red Pantera to the white one. They are Dunlops
SP 8000 335/35/17 rear and 245/45/16 front on Pantera East Campy
clones. If you look at the tread pattern on the rears, the water
channels are very wide, several times wider than Michelins. That
would make them good in rain but reduce the rubber on the road in
the dry. I'd bet some of the 315's actually put more rubber on the
road.

Longer term, I'm mulling over selling the Weld 17" rims. I mounted
them on the red Pantera and really like the way they look on that car.
They contrast nicely with the darker red paint but, on the white car,
I think I'd prefer a rim with a black center and polished lip.
The offset of rear Weld wheels also doesn't allow me to lower the car
as far as the Campy clones. It's not a problem with the stock spacers
and springs but when I install the ride height adjustable coil-overs,
I'd like to drop it pretty low.

> I have both 335s and 315s and I think the 315s make the car better
> balanced but it is a subtle distinction and you can really only tell
> when you're really pushing the car.

Several people have mentioned that. I prefer the 335's for the
larger diameter (lower cruise RPM and looks) but I think I'd be
satisified with either size.

> I've heard that the 335s are going out of production but that's nothing
> more than a rumor.

The earlier 335 Michelin Pilot Sport SP's are out of production but
have been replaced by the Pilot Sport PS2's in the same size. The
Viper crowd like them a lot. There is also a Pirelli available in that
size.

Thanks,
Dan Jones