Replacing tires-help!

I am in the very same boat as you, but with 335 rears.

There are no standard passenger car style tires in the sizes we need AND in matching sets. Not anymore, at least.

Your only choices for matching sets will be for the DOT legal/not legal street-track tires with very low wear ratings.

Expect 5000-8000 miles per set? How you drive is the determining factor. If you put on few miles annually, the tires may age-out before wearing out.

Look at these and pick your poison:

Hoosier A6

Kumho V710

Toyo R888

Toyo RA1

BFG R1-S

BFG R-1

Good luck, and let us know what you learn in the process.

Larry

If we drive it 3-4 times per year at most and never in rain will those be ok? Or should I just buy mismatch street tires?

I had the same problem last year. At that time only 2 companies had 245/45/16's, Toyo and Bridgestone. Neither of which made 335/35/17's for the rear. Your choices there are Michelin or Pirelli. I went with Michelin Pilot Sports and put 225/50/16's up front. They are a little taller and narrower than the 245/45/16's, but work fine. Also, they are readily available for the future.

I just saw that Kuhmo also makes a matching set if u use 225/50r 16 up front. That seems like a narrow tire to me though. Ugh. Mismatch tires or do I do that?

All Specs in inches
245/45/16: Diameter 24.7
Width 9.65
Cir 77.5
Revs/mile 817.6
225/50/16: Diameter 24.9
Width 8.86
Cir 78.1
Revs/mile 811.7
Unless your tracking your car or doing a lot of hard corning a not much of a difference if you want a matching set of tires you will be able to find in the future.

quote:

They are a little taller and narrower than the 245/45/16's, but work fine.

Oh, please kind Sir.

Can I have some pictures?

The diameter difference is of little concern at .2" But the tread difference of .79" may look a bit odd?

If you have 245 before and 225 after shots that would be GREAT.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks,

Larry

quote:

245/45/16's, Toyo and Bridgestone. Neither of which made 335/35/17's for the rear.

True, but the Toyo R888 did offer a 315, which is what the original poster currently has.

Larry

Yes that would work for him if he can find any. I needed 335/35/17's so was left with the miss match option or change tire size.

I guess there are more available now, Tire Rack has 8 available in 2 different models. So he can get a matching set of Toyo's

I'll get you some pics tomorrow.

So matching with the 225 up front and 315 out back? I found a pair of Yokohamas and and off brand in 245 and 315 out back. Need to decide what a better bet is. 225 seems narrow up front.

Since you are running 315's in the rear, you can get a matching set with 245's up front in Toyo or Yokohama. Those of us that run 335's in the rear the options are either miss match tire brands or go to a 225 up front.

So the Toyo R888 is a matching set. Is that ok for street use? I won't be driving in the rain. That is the only brand I can find in a matching set.

quote:

Originally posted by KKOSH:
So the Toyo R888 is a matching set. Is that ok for street use? I won't be driving in the rain. That is the only brand I can find in a matching set.

They are AWESOME on the street. I actually used a set for rain tires on my race car and they weren't horrible even in heavy rain at VIR and Watkins Glen.

Ron

I've not used the R888 so far, but have currently Kumho's KU36 on my Z3 coupe.

Those are track focused tyres too, but never got in to trouble in rainy conditions (the Z is my daily driver).

The soft compound compensates the lack of thread

I wouldn't worry about the R888's

The KU36's:

Here you go Larry
245's

225's

245's

225's again

245's next to 225's

last one

quote:

Here you go Larry

Thank you!!

So, as I expected, the narrower 225 width is noticeable, when you put them side by side like you did.

However, once installed on the same width wheel?

I'm thinking because the car is so low, and not an open wheel F-1 car, that the narrower width isn't even noticed?

Did you have any "that looks different" feelings after switching to the 225s?

Or was the change immediately, or soon after, not even registering when you viewed your car?

Thanks again for the photos.

Larry

Ok. Well i decided on Bridgestone Potenza RE-11's up front and Sumitomo HTR-Z's out back. This way I can keep the 245's in the front and 315's in the back. Both are summer performance tires. I am on a dirt road so the Toyo R888's would pick up every piece of dirt/rock/pebble. Bought from Tire Rack and they are on the way already!

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:

... I'm thinking because the car is so low, and not an open wheel F-1 car, that the narrower width isn't even noticed ...

Hey Larry. No argument the 245's are the best for handling. But visual differences are another situation. I have a buddy named Dale with 215's on the front of his 1972-1/2 L model Pantera. I can't "see" the difference in tire width until I read the sidewall. Period.

-G

No one ever noticed a difference after I changed them. As far as handling goes the 225's had no problem holding at Texas World Speedway in May, even the couple of times I came into turn 2 too hot.