New C4 17" tire thread
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
I thought the same thing when I saw that post. When you compare pics side-by-side, it's clear that they are extremely close in tread design, but different enough that they use different molds. That Riken tread design (but not the recent compound) has been around for probably 15 years, so it wouldn't surprise me if another budget company used their design for "inspiration."
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 400
From: DFW TX
245/45/17 Sumitomo on the front... $180 installed.
275/40/17 Toyo R888r on the back... $340 installed.
I don't do much cruising, I am out to get kills. The Toyos hook really well when it is warm out and they are fairly light which is what I wanted for my straight line roll racer. I have 420+ whp and hit 150 frequenty. The car sits most of the time and goes out about once or twice every two weeks. I have no problems with flat spotting. I don't drive the car in the rain (ever) as I have two family cars in the driveway.
275/40/17 Toyo R888r on the back... $340 installed.
I don't do much cruising, I am out to get kills. The Toyos hook really well when it is warm out and they are fairly light which is what I wanted for my straight line roll racer. I have 420+ whp and hit 150 frequenty. The car sits most of the time and goes out about once or twice every two weeks. I have no problems with flat spotting. I don't drive the car in the rain (ever) as I have two family cars in the driveway.
Last edited by Krusty84; Dec 3, 2019 at 01:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Park City, TN
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Another note, on my last set I had a screw enter a tire where it could not be repaired. Tirerack had a free Road Hazard warranty. The tire installer and I went through the steps to have the tire replaced under warranty and it was pretty painless.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 79
Likes: 14
May just be a punctuation error but I don't recall stating that tire stores get bent if you bring in online purchased tires. The only sanction I've experienced is missing out on "free mount and balance on any set of 4" deals....which I haven't seen for awhile....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: United States
Nitto NT05s are probably going on my ZR1 sized tire C4. I dont drive it enough to warrant new rims and tires to get the Michelins.
I have 140000 plus miles on the Vette. Driveline, less than 10, the entire driveline/suspension etc. Its not a show car... but, I am not here enough in country to justify driving it much..
I have 140000 plus miles on the Vette. Driveline, less than 10, the entire driveline/suspension etc. Its not a show car... but, I am not here enough in country to justify driving it much..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
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From: Sacramento California
3 years ago I got a set of Continental ExtremeContact Dry Wet (XCDW) for my 1995 base coupe. Size 285/40R17 (rear) and 255/45R17 (front). These have a "fat stripe" tread pattern (picture below). Total cost including mounting & balancing was about $750. They are a good tire, not the best and certainly not the worst. Good grip and decent treadwear. I have about 15,000 miles on them and they have some wear but not much. The sidewall does flex under hard cornering, they are not high performance tires, more of a "good enough for daily driver" tire which is why I bought them. Very quiet tire at highway speeds and they don't flat spot much. I would not use them for autocross or aggressive driving unless you're just trying to have fun (not competing). I am a moderate driver, I just have fun with the car, get on it occasionally, no track use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
3 years ago I got a set of Continental ExtremeContact Dry Wet (XCDW) for my 1995 base coupe. Size 285/40R17 (rear) and 255/45R17 (front). These have a "fat stripe" tread pattern (picture below). Total cost including mounting & balancing was about $750. They are a good tire, not the best and certainly not the worst. Good grip and decent treadwear. I have about 15,000 miles on them and they have some wear but not much. The sidewall does flex under hard cornering, they are not high performance tires, more of a "good enough for daily driver" tire which is why I bought them. Very quiet tire at highway speeds and they don't flat spot much. I would not use them for autocross or aggressive driving unless you're just trying to have fun (not competing). I am a moderate driver, I just have fun with the car, get on it occasionally, no track use.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
285/40/17's were an oem size for the rear of my 93 40th Anniversary, not pinched at all on a 9.5" width wheel. A 245/40/17 is only 24.7" tall.
285/40/17 = 26" tall
275/40/17 = 25.7" tall
245/45/17 = 25.7" tall
245/40/17 = 24.7" tall
285/40/17 = 26" tall
275/40/17 = 25.7" tall
245/45/17 = 25.7" tall
245/40/17 = 24.7" tall
Last edited by USAZR1; Dec 5, 2019 at 01:39 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
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From: Sacramento California
Those are the predecessors to the current ExtremeContact Sport. They are better performing than you give them credit for. Like the Sport, they and the Michelin PS4 are the two "go-to" rain tires for any autocross or road race class that mandates 200-treadware tires, because they are better in the rain than the fastest competition-oriented tires. They are also better in cold temps. In warmer, dry weather, they are about 1-second off the times of the competition tires on a typical 50-second course. So they are very, very fast tires - just not quite as fast on a summer day as the fastest tires allowed in most classes.
Tire Rack website Continental ExtremeContact DW
And in this video at 18:00
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 823
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From: Somewhere near Fort Wayne, Indiana
I work for BFGOODRICH, so I'm a little biased...
I did have a tire guy ask where I got my tires, and he told me i should have checked with him first. When i asked what his price was, it was nearly identical to tire rack.
I did have a tire guy ask where I got my tires, and he told me i should have checked with him first. When i asked what his price was, it was nearly identical to tire rack.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Park City, TN
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 55
Likes: 7
From: Toms River, NJ
I previously had Kumho Ecsta ASX's on my 96 when I bought it. They were pretty old with a little tread left. Since mine is a daily, they were pretty sketchy, especially on cold mornings. They were hard as hockey pucks. But they were a ton of fun because I could slide the car around corners at 15 mph with little throttle. But when the roads are wet, I was worried I'd spin on an off ramp or jug handle.
That aside, I bought a set of BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 A/S in December. IIRC, I got them for a little over $500. I really like them. They've got good grip, and it take quite a heavy foot to break them loose. I've driven them in the rain and have had not hydroplaned. The tires in my opinion tend to make a bit of noise (I can hear them, even without cats or mufflers) at highway speeds, otherwise I'm very happy with them, although I kind of miss being able to slide around easily with the old ones.
Note, they don't make them in 255/45ZR17 or 285/40ZR17. So I put on 255/40ZR17's up front and 275/40ZR17 on the rears.
That aside, I bought a set of BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 A/S in December. IIRC, I got them for a little over $500. I really like them. They've got good grip, and it take quite a heavy foot to break them loose. I've driven them in the rain and have had not hydroplaned. The tires in my opinion tend to make a bit of noise (I can hear them, even without cats or mufflers) at highway speeds, otherwise I'm very happy with them, although I kind of miss being able to slide around easily with the old ones.
Note, they don't make them in 255/45ZR17 or 285/40ZR17. So I put on 255/40ZR17's up front and 275/40ZR17 on the rears.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 120
Likes: 31
From: Guilford, CT
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I know this thread has been dormant about a month, but I've got one more question on the subject. I need to replace old GSD3s on my '96, and I'm torn between stepping down to 245/275 (likely the Rikens) and going all-in on replica A-molds along with new rubber. I'm leaning toward the latter, but if I go that route it means 275s on 9.5"s at all corners. What sort of difference in handling comes with the square setup? I've read that the staggered setup was intended to reduce tramlining and I'm happy with how she drives now, so if it'll be a hugely noticeable change in day-to-day driving I may think twice and stay with my staggered sawblades.
Last edited by ErrrrCar205; Feb 10, 2020 at 01:25 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: United States
The C4 was developed with square tire set up as you want. But, ensure you have a solid alignment to compliment it. I would recommend the square set up. And since it will be a 275 set up, there are some 285/275 choices out there better than Riken.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
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From: Detroit MI
Discount Tire Direct is having a flash sale today and tomorrow $80 off a set of four select tires including Continentals. I ordered four 275/40-17 Conti ECS for almost Firestone Indy 500 pricing.