17-inch wheels - what are you guys doing for tires?
#1
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
17-inch wheels - what are you guys doing for tires?
Hey, everyone. New 96 owner here in need of tires. I’ve only been able to come up with two tire manufacturers that make a matching set of factory size tires - Nitto and Continental.
Is there a commonly used alternate size that offers more options? I don’t really want a taller sidewall - at least nothing that would be noticeable. Just wanted to check the inside information before I order a set of Nittos on Monday.
Much appreciated!
Is there a commonly used alternate size that offers more options? I don’t really want a taller sidewall - at least nothing that would be noticeable. Just wanted to check the inside information before I order a set of Nittos on Monday.
Much appreciated!
#4
#5
I have the Conti DW that was the previous generation of that tire on two of my cars and they are my favorite UTGQ ~300 summer tire by far. Especially in the wet.
#6
Melting Slicks
#8
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone! The 245/45 and 275/40 combo looks like it will open up a lot of options. Are there any drawbacks to using this size combo, other than a little less contact patch? Doesn’t look like it will throw the speedo off much at all. Thank you!
#9
Le Mans Master
You may not lose as much contact patch and grip as the nominal dimensions would lead you to believe, either. Since the wheel width remains the same, I'd bet that the smaller tire is getting better and more even pressure across it's tread width, so you may have nearly the same amount of dynamic contact patch. And the plus for this size is that you get a whole lot more options in tire brands and models. That said, by all accounts the Continental ExtremeContact Sport is a great summer and rain tire, and I think it's available in either size.
Last edited by MatthewMiller; 11-17-2018 at 05:56 PM.
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Cousy (11-17-2018)
#11
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
So if I’m going to run staggered tires, should I just go ahead and get the 315/35 for the extra meat on the rear? I’m going to blow my local tire shop away with all this knowledge on Monday. Haha! Thank you.
Edit: Maybe not a good idea. I don’t see many street tires available in 315/35. Could still do the Nittos in that size and the Sumitumo mentioned above.
Edit: Maybe not a good idea. I don’t see many street tires available in 315/35. Could still do the Nittos in that size and the Sumitumo mentioned above.
Last edited by Cousy; 11-17-2018 at 03:56 PM.
#12
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Guys, I just realized the wheels on my car are wider than stock. This car has repro ZR1 wheels on it, so they are 9.5 and 11 wide instead of the 8.5 and 9.5 originals. I was thinking they were the same. Does that have any bearing on which tire size option I should choose?
#16
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Anybody have experience with Mickey Thompson Street Comps? I could do the 275/40 and 315/35 with those. They are just as affordable as the Nittos and have really good reviews from what I can see. Lots of C4 owners have reviewed them on Summit Racing. Advertised as more of an all season tire compared to the Nittos. This 96 is going to be my daily driver so long as it’s not snowing.
What do you guys think? Do I have a winner?
What do you guys think? Do I have a winner?
#17
Le Mans Master
ETA: I was typing as you posted just above. I'd probably go for the Mickey Thompson if I were looking for that size. I've never run them, but I know a guy locally that has them and he likes them. He has even autocrossed on them, so they don't totally suck as performance tires.
Last edited by MatthewMiller; 11-17-2018 at 06:04 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Cousy (11-17-2018)
#18
Anybody have experience with Mickey Thompson Street Comps? I could do the 275/40 and 315/35 with those. They are just as affordable as the Nittos and have really good reviews from what I can see. Lots of C4 owners have reviewed them on Summit Racing. Advertised as more of an all season tire compared to the Nittos. This 96 is going to be my daily driver so long as it’s not snowing.
What do you guys think? Do I have a winner?
What do you guys think? Do I have a winner?
Im running the MT street comp tires 275/40/17 fronts and 315/35/17 rears.
No issues. Haven't driven in the rain much. Good tire and not real expensive.
#19
Le Mans Master
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I used to run Nittos for several years and my last 2 sets went to the Toyo T1 Sport for my 17" fronts - Nitto/Toyo same company and I suspect based of the thread wear rating & MFR locations that the compound is the same