os121

Here is a recent link from Pirelli indicating that their tires will be used on the new GT:

"2005 Mustang GT Gallops on Pirellis"

Use the following link, and find the article dated 04/01/2004.

http://www.pirelli.com/en_42/this_is_pirel...&s2=4200068&s3=

os121

Here is an excerpt:

"Right about now, drum roll please, is the time to announce that for the Mustang GT Ford has chosen to connect all this new and sophisticated chassis hardware to the pavement via standard 8-inch wide, 17-inch-diameter alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P235/55ZR17 W-speed-rated all-season performance tires for year-round driving."

burningman

wonderful..that seems to mean if we get 17 inch rims I'm stuck with those rotten tires...geeze...it's always something

ManEHawke

Is this for real? I want BFG!! :bang:

jarradasay

Pirellis a pretty good brand. BFG s are probably gonna be on the 18s to get people to upgrade.

burningman

not to get into a pissing match but every perrelli I've owned was crap..and I tried them on 3 different cars before i just gave up hope with that company. I went back to BFG and never looked back.
Just my personal experience.

looks like I'll be forking out the extra cash for the 18's regardless now

briden

I had a set of p6000s (if I remember correctly) on my '97 and they served me well. No complaints whatsoever.

ManEHawke

Ah man im pissed now. How much would it be to get the 18's. A rough difference.
And can u still get a base mustang GT with 18's as the only option right?

Boomer

Yes

16s -> V6 -> BF Goodrich Traction T/A's 215s (shudder)
All seasons
17s -> GT -> Pirelli's 235s (meh...sounds like nothing too special)
All seasons
18s -> GT -> BF Goodrich GForce KDWs (255s) (cheer!!!)
Snow=N/A traction

pilot1129

pardon the ignorance, why the "shudder" after the V6's BFGs?

Boomer

215s are 10mm shy of the older tires on V6s 225s...
The tires are great i'm sure.
but the size..yowza
I have 225s for all season on my V6 and they look DINKY.

Same with the 235s...they are 10mm shy of the 245s that were on previous GTs.

I'm sure it has to do with snow performance.

Skinnier all-season tires+newer traction control+better handling and weight distrobution = better traction in the snow

I still can't wait to throw on my 255s.
They look great!

ManEHawke

So it wont be expensive to upgrade to the 18's? Or about how much. I may have to deal witht he pirelli's and waste em in a few years then upgrde to better. Not bad when i think about it. Wont feel bad smoking the tires a few times

dave 02 gt

the 18" fanblades havent grown on me! american racings classic tt's 18" for me

ill sell the fanblades on e bay.

Galaxie

I also hope the upgrade to the 18's is not too much...

I personally despise all-seasons for Canada... it is a tradeoff, you don't get the best of both worlds, you get a comprimse of the two...

If the 18's are reasonable I will get them and but a second set of steel wheels and some snow tires... it costs a little more but you get better performance in both seasons

snakeeyes

It will be cheaper to replace the pirrellis than to order the 18 inch wheel and tire package.

Boomer

While true...
The 17s are replaceable...
Most will opt for a lower profile tire and wider...which means you would probably have to lower the car to avoid the 4x4 mess.

The 18's fill out the gap NICELY and have a great wide tire.
to me thats a great place to start....

I too have thought about getting the 17s with Perelli's as a start, and use those for winter...and get an aftermarket (or fanblade...possibely Cobra) replacement rim/tires for the summer.

00StangGT

why couldn't they offer 255/45-WR17's Looks like i'll be getting 18's ifI want a wide tire.....

jsaylor

Guys, remember that wheel and tire options from the factory can be real cheap. You only end up paying the difference between the actual cost on them and then you are paying Ford's difference plus their markup. In other words.....they are often really cheap.

When I sold Volvo's to upgrade from the 16" wheel and tire package to the 17" wheel/tire package was 400 dollars list price. And, the 17" option netted you Michelin Pilots more often than not (read:not cheap)

I think Ford's thought here is that the serious performance guys are going to upgrade to the 18" wheel/tire combo anyway. And, for the four or five hundred bucks it's liable to cost on what is a 25 thousand dollar car it isn't exactly a huge investment.

Ford's approach makes sense to me as not everyone getting a Mustang GT is going to be driving it like a lot of us will. Wide tires or summer tires are going to be a nuisance to them, not a benefit. And, for guys like us, as I said above, there are the 18" wheels and tires. Ford has to accomodate all fo their customer base for this car, and they have done just that IMO.

00StangGT

if they want to accomodate everyone they would make a 255/xxWR-17 tire in all-season cause I can see a lot of people that would love the wide tire with the benefit of all-season traction

I guess I could just buy the 17's and pay for new 255's

NolanzDad

If I'm not mistaken aren't BFGoodrich & Uniroyal owned by Michelin? ...If that's true, I for one will INSTANTLY exchange that French crap for a true American brand.

It's high time we stand up and start supporting American brands....screw FRANCE and their crap products!