Hi All...
I have a bone stock '07 GT (spoiler delete!) with 18" fanblades. Just hit 40,000 miles and I am looking for new tires.
Don't know much here so wanted to ask. I wouldn't mind a more aggressive look but want to keep the same stock look...Don't want to have to raise/lower the car or adjust the speedo.
Before I go out and get the same stock 235/50/18 tires, I want to ask if anybody has any suggestions.
I live in sunny So Cal so weather is not a big issue. And - I don't want a much shorter tire since I already feel the road enough with the 18" rims.
Attached is a pic of my classic windveil blue stock GT. Any suggestions (and brand names) would be appreciated.
Thanks, Frank

 

I'd recommend stepping up to a 255/45-18 size. The overall diameter will be the same as your stock 235/50-18 tires, so no speedometer error, and the sidewall will be the same height as stock, so your ride won't suffer unless you choose a tire with a really stiff sidewall. The 255/45 size will be almost an inch wider than stock for a more aggressive look, but still fit on the stock wheels fine, and handling should be improved too, unless you go with a crappy tire.

If you never have to worry about driving in temps below 35° or in snow or ice, I'd go with a summer-only performance tire instead of an all-season tire. There are a lot of choices in the 255/45-18 size, for some good ideas on what is available, check out Tire Rack's website, they have tires organized by performance type, just choose the size you're looking for.

 

thanks alot for the suggestion. That sounds great. wider would look cool..I will check them out.

 

While shopping for 18" tires for my car, this is what I found out. Get a GT-500 wheel/tire combo take off set from Ebay. You can find it for about $1000. Here is what the lowest price places like discount tire will charge you just to install 4 new tires on your fanblade rims.
BFGoodrich Tires $201.00 $804.00
Environmental Fee ed) $1.75 $7.00
Tire Disposal Fee $2.25 $9.00
Installation $15.00 $60.00
CA 9.75% Sales Tax $79.27
Total "Out the Door" Price $959.27

Or you can get GT500 Tires and Rims to your door for $1k. Which is better?

 

Just got new tires back in Nov 09 for my 18" Fanblades. Upgraded to BFGoodrich SuperSport A/S 255/45ZR18. Here's a link to a thread where I give my 2 cents and pics.
https://themustangsource.com/showthread.php?t=478661

 

I recently replaced my tires on my 18 Fanblades with Continental Extreme Contact DWS's: 255/45/18. Absolutely love them! Way better tire than the factory BFG's and affordable, too.

 

I looked at those also, no I don't work for discount tire, nor the ebay dealers but...
Continental ExtremeContact DWS (26865)
255/45ZR18 103Y XL B $194.00 $776.00
Environmental Fee $1.75 $7.00
Tire Disposal Fee $2.25 $9.00
Installation & Lifetime Spin Balancing $15.00 $60.00
CA 9.75% Sales Tax $76.54
Total "Out the Door" Price $928.54

 

Another vote for the Conti's.

I've had mine for almost 3 years and they're a great all-around tire. A little on the hard (compound wise) side but a good performer.

 

That's about right. I paid $899 out the door (after tax/fees/etc.).

 

Or you can get GT500 wheels and tires for the same price. Sell your current rims for $300 easy. But I will get off my soap box now.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Reverend - I looked on Ebay at the GT500 tires & rims...very cool look but I think I want to keep the fanblades.
Checked our tirerack.com and saw the Continental extreme contact DWS 255/45-18. This one's an all season tire. I'm in Southern California and it rains sometimes but never snow...Should I go for an all season or get a Summer only? Does it matter? There other Continentals in the size for Summer only but no reviews and they are more expensive. The BFG KDW G-force looks like a good tire. Will I notice a difference? (See pics of the Cont's. and BFG's..very different tread patterns)
Also - stupid question here. My stock BFG's are 235/50-18. Is the 50 vs. the 45 aspect ratio of the tire going to be about the same height? I'd prefer not not feel any more of the road than I do now.
thanks

 

Why does my profile say "V6 memeber"? Nothing against V6's but my car is a GT.. Anyone know?

 

Yes you should. Softer compound = sticker feel. Since they're softer, they'll wear faster and flex more.

Use a tool like this...
http://www.tiresizecalculator.info/

 

Two of the tires I'd be looking at if I were in your shoes would be the Continental ExtremeContact DW (not the DWS) and the General Exclaim UHP, both in 255/45-18. Both are summer only performance tires, which will perform better in the wet or dry than the Conti DWS.

The 45 and 50 aspect ratios are just that, ratios. The wider the tire, the taller the tire in the same aspect ratio. To verify this, you can look at Tire Rack's spec charts for the overall diameters for a 235/50-18 tire and a 255/45-18. The diameters will be within 1% of eachother, about the same difference between a full tread tire and one that is worn down to the wear bars.

 

My vote goes to the General Exclaim UHPs. I've had a set on my car, 245/45/17. Awesome bang for your buck. Great performance in the rain. Personally, I'd go for the GT500 wheels off eBay. Why not upgrade?!?

I guess if you don't like the design, but that's an amazing deal! Look around, a lot of places will sell you a wheel/tire combo for around $1k. All depends on what you want though.

 

The 255/45/18 is only about a tenth of an inch shorter than the 235/50/18, so basically the same size. I did not want a shorter tire, so this was the closest height tire I could find in a 255 width.

 

Thanks for the response. So what brand did you end up getting? I am leaning torwards the General Exclaim UHP's. thanks

 

I bought the Continental Extreme Contact DWS's. Way better dry & wet traction than the factory tires, plus they're quieter and turn in is better, as well. Smoother ride than the factory BFG's, even though they're 45 series vs the factory 50 series.

 

did you consider the General's? I could get either. I'm mostly in dry weather. Any difference?

 

Frank: "V6 Member" is just relative to how many posts you have written. When you have written more of them, the site will then upgrade you to the next level. Hoping this answers it for you Bro? CalStang