Help select tire for 01 wheels on 02 car??

[ody]

The more I read the archives and compare stats on Tirerack, the more frustrated I'm getting.

I have a 2002 that I want to mount up my 2001 stock wheels on.
(just because I like the look of the stock 95-01 wheel)
(and I can't find the prime member that was going to sell me a set of 17-18" SSR GT7's last year)

Anyway, the 01 wheels deserve new rubber b4 they get mounted.

I definitely want the Eagle F1 GS-D3's no question there.
The only issue is what tire size combo to be putting on the staggered 16-17" wheels on a 02 car.

Tirerack recommends the following size for a 2001 wheel/car
RE010 215/45ZR16 23.5" 900rpm (ratio f/r = 1.045296167)
RE010 245/40ZR17 24.6" 861rpm

Tirerack recommends the following size for a 2002 wheel/car
RE040 215/40ZR17 23.8" 875rpm (ratio f/r=1.045400239)
RE040 255/40ZR17 24.9" 837rpm

NSXTASY recommends:
"The best 16"/17" sizes for the Eagle F1 GS-D3 are 205/45-16 front and 245/40-17 rear"

Thats all fine and dandy, but its a tad narrower on the front, and back compared to what the 02 car had on it from the start. Seems to be going backward to me. (no comment on going backward on the wheels either)

The one combination that looked best fit to me was
225/50ZR16 24.9" 837rpm(estimate)
255/45ZR17 26.0" 801rpm
Both tires are just a tad larger in diameter, and the Front/Rear ratio comes out to 1.04494382. (pretty darn close to both stock ratios)

Any comments / suggestions on this?

Will the 225 and 255 actually fit properly on the 01 wheels?

Rubbing? Is there more wheel clearance on the 02 car compared to the previous cars? I've read many mixed comments about 225 up front rubbing.

Anything I'm severely over looking by putting 01 wheels on a 02 car?

Oh, and this is a very pampered street car, not a track car.

Brad

 

[docjohn]

I think 215/45/16 and 255/40/17 are your best options

 

[nsxot1c]

I think 215/45/16 and 255/40/17 are your best options

agreed

 

[ody]

I think 215/45/16 and 255/40/17 are your best options

Only problem with that is Goodyear does not make the Eagle F1 GS-D3 in 215/45/16.

That size is recommended by tirerack in the Bridgestone Potenza RE010.

Goodyear has a F1 GS-D3 in 215/40ZR16 with a diameter of 22.8"
And that might be good for the front, but they don't seem to have anything to match the back to keep the front/rear ratio close to stock. (thinking tcs issues)

 

[goldNSX]

215/45/16 is hard to find. nsxtasy is right. :wink:

 

[pach]

http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/2154516/

Both great tires for the money, they will outgrip the Goodyear in the dry easily... You can get the Ventus in 245/40 and the Falkens in 255/40.

FWIW I run Falkens RT-615's 215r16 front and 255r17 rear and it handles very well.

 

[docjohn]

Well you must make a decision then try a different tire or if you must have the goodyears then buy a set of 17/17,or 17/18 wheels.

 

[nsxtasy]

Don't get 225/50-16 in front. They will rub.

Stick with 205/45-16 and 245/40-17. You will never notice the 10 mm difference in treadwidth from the stock size. What matters most in tire performance is the tire design (as defined by the make and model of the tire), not its treadwidth.

If you want to get the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 215/45-16 and 255/40-17, feel free; their dry performance is even better than the Goodyears. But they don't do particularly well in rain, and you'll be replacing them a lot more often (not only is the tread compound very soft, but they also come with less tread depth when new). Those are the trade-offs you'll need to decide.

 

[Joy2Drive]

How about 225/40/16 for the front, would that rub as well? I figure it would but just want to make sure. I am looking to buy a set of OEM 16/17 from someone with Dunlap SP9000, and he has 225/40/16 Front and 245/40/17 Back. I didn't ask if he uses spacer, but I suspect it will rub in front without spacers.

 

[nsxtasy]

How about 225/40/16 for the front, would that rub as well?

I don't know. But you seem to be obsessing over the difference in treadwidth. When it comes to the effect on performance, differences in treadwidth are relatively minor. What's most important is the tire model, including the design of its tread pattern, compound, etc. If you're looking for better performance, concentrate on getting better, stickier tires, rather than wider tires. For example, the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 215/45-16 will out-perform any tire I know in 225/40-16.

 

[Joy2Drive]

Thanks K. I am definitely not obsess on treadwidth, and I agree 100% with your comments on key focuses when selecting new tires that fit the car.

Only reason I ask (about the 225/40-16) is that I plan on buying a used set of OE 16/17 with tires, and it currently has this fitment in the front. Treadlife is around 90% so is fairly new, but if it doesn't fit/perform right, then I'll need replacement.

Your point is well taken. If I decide to buy this set and keep the tires, I will have to invest in 10-15mm spacers as well.

I don't know. But you seem to be obsessing over the difference in treadwidth. When it comes to the effect on performance, differences in treadwidth are relatively minor. What's most important is the tire model, including the design of its tread pattern, compound, etc. If you're looking for better performance, concentrate on getting better, stickier tires, rather than wider tires. For example, the Falken Azenis RT-615 in 215/45-16 will out-perform any tire I know in 225/40-16.

 

[NSX R-GT]

Thanks K. I am definitely not obsess on treadwidth, and I agree 100% with your comments on key focuses when selecting new tires that fit the car.

Only reason I ask (about the 225/40-16) is that I plan on buying a used set of OE 16/17 with tires, and it currently has this fitment in the front. Treadlife is around 90% so is fairly new, but if it doesn't fit/perform right, then I'll need replacement.

Your point is well taken. If I decide to buy this set and keep the tires, I will have to invest in 10-15mm spacers as well.

treadlife is not the most important when it comes to 2nd hand tires!
the age of the tires are what you shoud consider!
we all know that the most people dont drive their car much, so the tire wear are less! i have a set of p7000 and i only have less then 100km on them and they are junk already! becasue they are 7 years old and the rubber were dried and lost all its preformance!
so...when u are buying 2nd hand tires, make sure you check the age!

 

[nsxtasy]

Only reason I ask (about the 225/40-16) is that I plan on buying a used set of OE 16/17 with tires, and it currently has this fitment in the front. Treadlife is around 90% so is fairly new, but if it doesn't fit/perform right, then I'll need replacement.

If they already have that size, then try them out - hey, they're basically free! They'll probably be fine. Then you can get 215/40-17 when you wear them out and need to buy new front tires.

 

[Jin1976]

I don't believe the used sets of tires. You don't know where they have been. They could have hit a pothole and the belting inside could be broken but you may not seen it. Save all the trouble and just get a new sets of tires. You don't want blow up at high speed. Happen to me before.

 

[Osiris_x11]

wheelin' & dealin'...

Only reason I ask (about the 225/40-16) is that I plan on buying a used set of OE 16/17 with tires...

Then you can get 215/40-17 when you wear them out and need to buy new front tires.

Hey nsxtasy/Ken, he has a 16" front-rim!

I assume you meant: 205/45-16


Anywayz... another worthwhile tire to consider is the new Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position.

There's a $100 rebate currently going on w/ the purchase of (4) applicable tires. Also, certain sizes of this particular model are discounted currently. I'd recommend checking Tire Rack's ad's in certain car magazines (Car & Driver, Automobile, etc'...) as well. Quite often, certain tires are priced less in the publication than their own web-site! Just call up a Tire Rack rep' and they'll price-match their print ad'.

 

[nsxtasy]

Hey nsxtasy/Ken, he has a 16" front-rim!

I assume you meant: 205/45-16

Good catch! :redface:

Anywayz... another worthwhile tire to consider is the new Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position.

They're not exactly new, but the RE050A PP is a good alternative to the Goodyear F1 GS-D3, with performance that's almost as good as the F1 GS-D3 and a price that's only slightly higher.

 

[Osiris_x11]

cheap rubbers...

They're not exactly new, but the RE050A PP is a good alternative to the Goodyear F1 GS-D3, with performance that's almost as good as the F1 GS-D3 and a price that's only slightly higher.

O.k. I wasn't aware of when they were first offered. I only knew of the RE050 and RE050A versions. I still don't even know what is enhanced in each ensuing model, lol!

I can't give a real-life verdict on their performance as of yet, it would be too premature. However, I got them ridiculously cheap a few weeks ago!

www.tirerack.com

(2) 205/45ZR-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position: $159.00 ($318)
(2) 255/40ZR-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position: $155.00 ($310)
S/H: $42.65
___________________
Total: $670.65
Rebate: -$100
_______________
Final: $570.65


I believe timing is everything! Both the F1 GS-D3 and the RE050A Pole Position have gone up in price. However, Tire Rack does have special pricing from time to time.

 

[slamstrom]

Only problem with that is Goodyear does not make the Eagle F1 GS-D3 in 215/45/16.

That size is recommended by tirerack in the Bridgestone Potenza RE010.

Goodyear has a F1 GS-D3 in 215/40ZR16 with a diameter of 22.8"
And that might be good for the front, but they don't seem to have anything to match the back to keep the front/rear ratio close to stock. (thinking tcs issues)

What happened to your 02 wheels?