Hey all, i am looking to purchase a set of new tires for the new rims i am looking to get, but was wondering which tires were better. I am debating between the Nitto 555 and the BFG G/FORCE T/A KDW 2. Which in your opinion is the better tire? Any info would be greatly appriciated.

 

Both tires get great reviews. I went with 555s due to the road noise a lot of people mentioned with the KDWs. However, after going FI, the 555s were worthless...so I burned them up last month. LOL...they looked like slicks. Going to run 555s up front and DRs from now on.

 

I have 474rwhp now days, and above 70 degrees, with the tires warmed up normally a little, my nitto 555's grip great. On the street, no summer tire is going to let you go all out in 1st with 470rwhp or so, 1st has to be feathered. 2nd though, with conditions mentioned above the 555's grip all the way.

I considered going with 555r's, but they come in too puny of a height diameter, plus they ware down too fast. I like taking road trips in my car, and unless your always racing off the line on the street, who cares if you have to feather 1st gear with a lot of HP.

I'm very happy with my rear 285/40/18's 27" and my front 255/45/18's 27" tires. Erik

 

I just put Nitto555's on mine this week so it's to soon to give much of a review beyond I like them so far. I put 295/45/18's in the back and and 255/45/18's in front.

 

I wouldn't consider 555R 305/45/18 28.8"...puny.

 

I have the KDW 2's. While I think they grip pretty good, I HATE them! They are loud. They also have cupped, which throws them out of balance and makes them even louder! (The car is in alignment)

I wouldn't reccomend the KDW 2's.

 

Your right 28.8 " is not too puny for a truck, I was speaking of street use on a long term basis, Erik

 

I love the BFG KDW I know many say they are noisy but i have found the road is what dictates that. Some roads they are noisy but for the most part they are very quiet. I do not drive my car in the rain but everyone I have spoken to that has them says they perform fantastic in wet weather.

By the way tire cupping is normally attributed to faulty shocks other sources can be bad bearings, loose steering and suspension parts as well as fatigued springs.

 

LOL...This is street use on a long term basis. This is Hawgman's car, but I'll be getting the same rear tires next spring.

 

Well, I'd like to fill the wells too, but a tire that wide and large must rub and impact the wheel well a lot on bumps, it wears down faster, it's handling in the rain would be iffy if caught in rain, and they would be even more sensative to temps below 70 degrees than summer tires because of the race compound. Also if you obviously on warm and hot weather days get better grip in 1st gear, that is an advantage, and possibly in corners, if the added width stance helped with the grippier rubber accelerating out of the apex of corners. I don't know if they'd push too much though.

I've considered these larger tires too, it's just that the main purpose is directed by the drag racing philosophy, to get better grip in warm weather in 1st gear on the street off the line. other than that there is no advantage to these tires on the street that I can see. I would have to talk to an experienced street and road course racer to understand if these would be an advantage over all.

It is tempting though, getting that real muscle car look and stance. Please let all of us know how they do if your caught in the rain, and about tread life, and rubbing and hitting thr wheel well.

Thanks a lot, Erik

 

Won't hit the wheel well and it is within it. The reviews by users on Discount Tire.com plus many posts through the forums show these tires are one of the better DRs under wet conditions...but of course, they're not necessarily built for that, so caution must be taken. The main advantage is traction. As I mentioned earlier, once I put the blower on, the 555s were worthless as I'm sure most other street radials would be as well. My main concern is traction in a straight line and these are reported to do the job on the street. I'll find out in the spring.

 

Thanks Scramblr, as I mentioned even in good summer conditions 1st gear has to be feathered with my Nitto 285/40/18 555's, but 2nd is fine, but in slightly cooler weather, 2nd also must be feathered.

I'd be curious if the 305/45's stabalized cornering, and cornering kick out as well. The typical 305/35/18 DR's that I've seen in all brands are too small, only having a standing diameter of 26.4 or so, very puny looking, and I'm not pulling my car down on lower springs than my Saleens, just too make short tires look good. My Saleen springs lower the car just enough to center the axel, wheel and tire right in the middle of the wheel well, with an even gap, which I prefer.

If they made 305/40/18's, they would come in right at 27.7 or so, that would be perfect, too bad. I'll read up on the reviews you mentioned, and call Nitto, I've already e-mailed them. Thanks again, Erik

 

As an example, here are the differences in tread pattern which make the Nitto 555r the better street tire, but not the best track tire. Reportedly, the M&H seems to be the best DR track tire right now.

Nitto 555r



M/T ET Street Radial



M/T ET Street Radial II




M&H Racemaster Drag Radials

 

As well as the best street drag radial, too. These things kick *** both on the track and on the street.

 

You don't count...You get like 1mm of rain a year.

 

I have the 555's and I have absolutely no complaints.

 

Thanks to all for the responses!

 

I had the Nitto 555's for almost 3 years and really liked them, but when it was time to replace my rims/tires I went with Toyo Proxe 4's because Nitto didn't make a 295/30/20. So far the Toyo's seem to be just as nice.

 

(first to light the match and then to run like hell from this bomb)

PIRELLI P ZERO NERO ALL THE WAY




OK, not really. for your consideration: All seasons I have Kumo Ecsta ASX which have lots of grip compared to the stock Pirellis, but when they lose grip its like being on ice skates. Then when you get your grip back its like being on a rail again. Good wet traction, great dry traction. $110 Tire Rack

Summer tires: Nitto NT555's. Like cobalt said, above 70 they're great. below that and they act like any other set of tires i've had. nothing special, but not horrible. What I do like about them is they're responsive, road noise is bearable, and they're easily controllable in a drift. they're easy to keep looking new and shiny too. Kumho's get very dull very fast without Tire Shine.