lavo

Alright well I bit the bullet and bought the 18"x8.5" Aspec gunmetal rims and now I need tires. I was originally planning on going with 255's but with further research on here, I realized that most are going with 245's. I don't think I've ever hit a curb so the protection isn't really a factor, however it would be a nice safety net. I have traction problems in the TL now with my 17" pirellis and want to grip better. I'm only using the 18's in the summer and I'm using the 17's in winter.

My first question is, which should I go with, 245's or 255's and what should the tire profile be? I remember seeing people going with 245/40/18, and I'm guessing the 255's would be 255/35/18. And take note that the roads here suck with potholes .

Second question is, although I'm not cheap when it comes to my cars. The money I save can be used towards suspension, RSB, tails etc. Hondafans said something about Avons and for the 245's they are 128 or should I really spend the extra on a name brand for about 200 a tire?


Thank you, Chris

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

if you want to go nutts... 245/35-18 handles like crazy... but might not offer pothole cushion... and it throws the speedo off... oh and it is noisy as hell

i switchedup to 245/40-18 almost immedietly (500miles later)... and it was a great improvement

I would not ever do 255/35-18 because it just won't work

stick to 245/40-18 it is a cushioned ride with less roadnoise.... as far as the traction... if you are going to use them as a dedicated summer tire... look at the contisports they feel real sticky

pttl

I read here, the General Exclaim UHP is a great summer tire at a great price too.

lavo

Curious why the 255/35's wont work? Hondafans had it working...Thank you for your experiences. Do your tires throw off the speedo?...I don't understand why if people put 245's on the 8" rim, why people don't put 255's on the 8.5's

ctoro99

Lavo, you really need to find the thread from Inaccurate. He really explains the pros and cons of the 255s v. stock. He actually recommends the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3 255/40/17, a very nice (top rated) tire. If you're into looks the Kumoh SPT (same size) is about an inch wider and about $80.00 less with very good looks and acceptable performance.

If you do a search for Spiritman you'll see that he put 265s on his stock rim with no rubbing at all. There are many comments on the post about the tires being too big for the rim but no evidence of any problems. Personally, I'll be going with the Kumoh 255/40/17on my stock 05 rims.

Check the posts out, let us know what you think.

lavo

Thank you for the help. I have read parts of that thread a while ago, I guess I should take a gander at it again. I'm going with 18's though and he had 17's and my rim will be .5" wider.

ctoro99

Ooops, never mind. Thought you were staying w/ the stock rims.

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Yeah, I've been researching the General Exclaims as well. Typically, I always thought of General as a "budget" tire but the reviews/test and subsequent #1 class rating at Tire Rack have me intrigued. Quite a few favourable reviews here as well.
Canadian Tire up here has a promotion on the Exclaims....Buy one and 50% off the 2nd tire purchased, which in total is about 1/2 of the price of the Michelin Pilot A/S, and about 35% less than the GY F1 A/S that I was considering. I'll be running dedicated snows in the Winter....gonna have to check these Generals out...

stillhere153

iTrader: (1)

255/40-18 works nicely on an 8.5" wheel
245/40-18 is my ideal perfect setu for an 8.5" wheel
235/40-18 is just damn noisy
245/35-18 is doable throws the speedo off but is super noisy aswell.... handles very nicely but offers no rim protection
255/35-18 same as 245 pretty much... can be done, but will also throw the speedo off almost just as much

ps. it is recommended to stay within 3% of the stock diameter
245/40-18 = 2.32% Speedometer Difference: 2.379% too fast
255/40-18 = 1.11% Speedometer Difference: 1.113% too fast
245/35-18 = 5.97% Speedometer Difference: 6.352% too fast
255/35-18 = 4.94% Speedometer Difference: 5.201% too fast

lavo

^ How'd you get those calculations? Wouldn't it be the 18inches + 255 mm*40%*2 for diameter

I thought the 40 means 40% of the 255 is on the sidewall...I must be mistaken...

AzNGR81

...shouldn't have any problems with 255/35/18

i have that size for my falken ze-512 all season tires

lavo

255/35/18 is actually really close to the stockers. Judging by http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html it is only 1.2% fast, whereas the 255/40/18 actually read less than you're actually going- which wouldn't be good with the cops!

Am I doing this right or is stillhere right?

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Play with this tire calculator:

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

...it's pretty good.

lavo

so 255/35/18 are the closest to stock as in speedo readings?

Anyone running this setup?

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

If you worried about your speedo being off by 2% or less, then yes the 255/35/18 is gonna be your bet. In reality Its gonna be off by like 1-2mph nothing more.

Think about this driving at 75mph, being off by 2% is being off by 1.5 mph. Not a REAL big difference, if you get busted for speeding you gonna get busted.

I personally would run 35 series, but considering you in NY, you gonna have winter wheels? if you are then run 35 series, if not then I would run 40 or 45 series

lavo

Yes I will be using my 17's for winter. How will the protection be on 255/35 for potholes?

Thank you

lavo

anyone have 255/35/18? I'm a couple days away from getting tires as my rims showed up yesterday and are hot as hell!

OneWickedTypeS

IM RUNNING 18 X 8.5 ASPEC'S GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 A/S 245/40ZR18

pttl

How do you like those goodyears? How is the ride comfort and noise level?

OneWickedTypeS

I LIKE THEM. I HAVE TO SAY NEVER REALLY NOTICED ANY ROAD NOISE, THEY HAVE A VERY STIFF SIDE WALL FROM WHAT GOODYEAR PEOPLE TOLD ME. YOU WILL FEEL MORE OF THE ROAD, BUT THAT COULD ALSO BE BECAUSE OF THE BIGGER RIM.

Ramrodthrusterpuppy

Nice....that's the exact combo that I'm going to be putting on my TL-S. Although I've been thinking about a wider tire....could you take a side pic showing how far the side of the tire sticks out from the rim?

NBP04TL4ME

Where did you get these? Are these truly the 18 x 8.5 Gunmetal from 2004? I've been looking for these for quite some time.

Any help is appreciated

KHS1021

any tire recommendations from y'all for the 18X8 a-spec rims? i'm looking at getting the '05 platinum a-specs (part # 08W18-SEP-200B) just wondering who is running these and with what rubber. thanks.

OneWickedTypeS

I ACTUALLY GOT MINE OFF EBAY, I DUNNO IF I WOULD GO WIDER IM HAVING A LIL RUBBING ISSUE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY. NOTHING MAJOR.


I WILL TRY TO GET PICTURES OF A STRAIGHT ON VIEW LATER...

OneWickedTypeS

TOOK A COUPLE SIDE SHOTS IT HAS BEEN RAINING ON AND OFF FOR A WEEK SO ITS DIRTY

OneWickedTypeS

I PERSONALLY DID NOT LIKE THE ROUNDED LOOK THE STOCK WHEEL AND TIRE COMBO HAD, THAT IS WHY I WENT WITH THE WIDER TIRE TO SQUARE IT UP A LIL BIT. I AM COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT, HANDLES AND DRIVES. IF YA NEED MORE PICS LET ME KNOW...

Acura3GTL

ONEWICHEDTYPE-S, are u running on stock suspension?

As for budget tires are concerned, i'm very happy with my all-season Falken 912's. Great grip, and very quiet.



$122 each shipped from discounttiredirect

OneWickedTypeS

Yes Im All Stock

lavo

Ok the time is nearing on me buying tires. The 245's look good but I want a little more rim protection. Why are the 255's not as popular as the 245's? Also with a tight budget for tires, which should I go with?

OneWickedTypeS

245 my vote

lavo

why?

OneWickedTypeS

Well I Like It Cause It Kinda Squares The Wheel Up, What I Mean On The Stock Wheels The Tires Looked To Small, Gave The Edges A Rounded Look. Also It Gave Me A Bit Of Rim Protection, A Lil Bit. I Think The 255 Would Be To Wide Looking.

ctoro99

Contraire my friend,

The 255 will put more rubber on the road and make the vehicle not only sportier but more aggressive looking while still providing the square off effect most of us like. As long as there is no rubbing, why not? The kumoh happens to be wider at the foot (thread) than say the Eagle F1 which is a very good performing tire.

Of course this is just one man's opinion.

lavo

How will the 245's compare with 255's for speed (friction) and gas mileage?

I want summer tires but I want to be under 700 installed, what do you guys recommend??

Thanks for the help

ctoro99

lavo,

The Kumoh Ecsta SPT 255/40/17 goes for $123 on Discount Tire and $111 with The Tire Rack plus shipping - Tire rack is less if you take the 3 day ground. The tire looks very nice and aggressive. If thats too big, the 245s are of course less but you'd have to pick your poison; the widest/most aggressive tire you can get or gas mileage.

Personally, I'm willing to pay the difference (however significant it might be) to have the better looking car. And I do shop for gas in my area.

pttl

How do these feel in turns? I had the Falken 512 on my last car, (yes they were quiet) but they made it feel sluggish because of the softer side walls. Just wondering if the side walls on the 912 felt soft as well.

what size tire are you running?

lavo

I'm looking for tires on my 18" aspecs gunmetals.

Another question, why is everyone going with 255/40/18 rather than 255/35/18 as it is closer to stock size.

Last tire question, our stock rim is 8" and the aspec is 8.5", so why would you go from a 235 to a 245 on a .5" wider rim where the tire is less than 1/2" wider, especially when most of you guys want more rim protection than stock, doesnt the 255 seem more logical?

Someone please help! I gotta make up my mind

ctoro99

The 255 is more logical (to me) even on the 8" rim but I run 17s. Definitely going w/ the 255. If I had the extra .5" I would go even wider (265) again, on a 17" rim. The reports I get on the 265 install is that there is no rubbing. Not sure about an 18" rim though.

I also hear that the lower sidewall tire rides noticeably rougher than the 255/40. Not to mention the wheel well gap issue. But I'm sure you already know this.

So if you want performance and don't mind a bumpy ride go with the lower wall, otherwise ...

OneWickedTypeS

MINE CAME DOWN TO PERSONAL PREFERENCE, I KNEW WHAT LOOK I WAS GOING FOR AND I DID THAT... GOOD LUCK WITH UR TIRE CHOICE...

lavo

Here's what I narrowed it down to:

Nexen N3000- 550 installed
Riken Raptor- 600 installed
Falken fx452- 680 installed
Fuzion Zri- 650 installed

or do you have a different choice around this price range. My brother has fuzions and likes them, I'm leaning towards them. These are mostly on tire savings.com with 245/40/18's. Thanks guys!