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I am needing to replace the tires on my ‘85 C4. The stock tire size is 255/50R-16. This size is almost impossible to find, except Toyo drag tires and $500/each Michelin.
Just wondering what other C4 owners have done for new tires. I have thought about putting 245s or 265s on the car, since they are more available in A/S tires. The other option I have thought of is switching to a 17 inch wheel,
because 255/50R-17 are a much more available tire size. Kind of hate to get rid of stock ‘85 wheels. Any input would help. Thanks.
If your car is NOT a Z51 and has 8.5" wheels you can go down to a 245.
Unfortunately, the Z51 has 9.5" rear wheels and 245s are not recommended. You could also look to find a pair of 8.5" wheels to substitute for the larger ones.
If your car is NOT a Z51 and has 8.5" wheels you can go down to a 245.
Unfortunately, the Z51 has 9.5" rear wheels and 245s are not recommended. You could also look to find a pair of 8.5" wheels to substitute for the larger ones.
It is a base C4, not Z51. Would 265s be ill advised? Local Costco refuses to install 245 because they said the car would exceed the “load index” of the OEM size.
If your car is NOT a Z51 and has 8.5" wheels you can go down to a 245.
Unfortunately, the Z51 has 9.5" rear wheels and 245s are not recommended. You could also look to find a pair of 8.5" wheels to substitute for the larger ones.
It is a base C4, not Z51. Would 265s be ill advised? Local Costco refuses to install 245 because they said the car would exceed the “load index” of the OEM size.
Load rating of the 245 is 1600 lbs/tire. I would think you'd be hard pressed to get the car up to 6400 lbs and still be able to move it. So I'm not sure what they're on about.
If you look them up on Tirerack.com you'll find the specs on the ratings and sizes.
I put 245s on Z51 wheels. Its fine. Its what the car had on it when I got it, I put 255s on it and now it has 245s again. Its true the manufacturers dont recommend it, but it works fine and honestly I like these tires better than the 255 sport comps or whatever they were.
It is a base C4, not Z51. Would 265s be ill advised? Local Costco refuses to install 245 because they said the car would exceed the “load index” of the OEM size.
costco is full of beans.
order the 245’s and book an mount and balance at an alternative shop.
order the 245’s and book an mount and balance at an alternative shop.
Yep, some of these tire shops are a bit too big on themselves. About two years ago, Canadian Tire had a dirty sale on tires for my Escape plus triple points. I only needed two as the backs were fine. They wouldn't install two because the truck was "all wheel drive". I went out in the lot and removed the two fronts, rolled them in and told them to give me two with a balance. Problem solved.
I went with Toyo RA1 last July as they were available in the 255/50R16 size. I have an '84 with Z51 so 8.5" rims in front and 9.5" rear. I've put over 11K miles since then and still have lots of tread left, the treadwear indicators look pretty much the same as they did new. No spirited driving as far as Mrs. Boomer is aware of. I have NOT driven in the rain with them but they are reviewed elsewhere as being pretty good in the wet.
jaggedice84 - great message to BF Goodrich.
I suspect the percentage of owners prepared to buy a set would be quite high as many of them would be reaching the age limit now.
They could even do a single production run - if they made it known that this is a single run with priority on owners that prepaid a deposit I suspect the percentage take-up would be even higher.
I feel most people would even be prepared to pay quite a lot more than the historical price due to the outrageous cost of other options that are available.
Anyway, I have sent a message to BF Goodrich too - perhaps if they get enough feedback they might consider it!
C4 Tire woes.
