Ok so gotta replace my tires on my 06. I only have 21,000KMS on the car but the stock BFG's are getting pretty hard and greasy and are not good in the rain at all. I am wanting to get some new wheels (Shelby CS-66 in Anthracite) but I only have the budget for one or the other. Problem is I can't wait to get tires until I can get both as it rains quite a bit here in the Winter months.

Since I was not planning on going any taller than the 18" Polished Wheels I was considering getting tires that would fit on both the 18" factory wheels and the 18x8.5" CS-66 wheels. Can anyone let me know what the ideal size would be that would allow me to use them on the stock wheels but let me switch them over to the slightly wider wheels next Spring?

I'm looking at ordering the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Seasons from Tirerack, any opinions on these tires?

 

Anyone?

 

The factory 18 inch wheels (both the polished Bullitts and the fanblades) are 18" x 8.5", so whichever tire you buy to fit them will also fit on the 8.5" wide Shelby wheels. I'm in need of new tires on my '07 GT right now and have been researching my next tires a lot. I used (and really liked) Pirelli's P-Zero all seasons on my 2003 Mach 1. The worked better in the rain than the factory tires did in the dry! I live just south of you near Seattle, so we share the same cruddy weather most of the year.

The Pirellis were affordable on my Mach 1 with the 17" wheels, but are too much for the 18" wheels, so I've opted away from them this time around. Car and Driver magazine did a great tire test last month and I've made my decision based on their test. I'm not buying their first choice, as my priorities are a little different than their ultimate pick. I need a wet weather tire - like you - will see light snow duty, as well. I also want above average dry weather handling. Based on my priorities, I'm going with the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo. I'm going to run 245/45/18's up front and 275/40/18's out back. Both sizes are the same height as each other, but about a 1/2" shorter than the factory 235/50/18's. I'd really like a bit taller tire than stock (say 255/55/18), but that size is not available in the tire I want.

Oh yeah, an 8.5" wide wheel is good up to about a 265mm width tire - 275mm is stretching it a bit.

 

You can run the 275's with no problem. I just picked up a set of Ford Black Bullits, 18inch. I am using the factory BFG's up front (235/50/18) with 275/45/18 Michellin Pilots in the rear. No fitment issues at all, no sidewall bulge. I even have rear lowering springs (steeda) but kept factory front springs.

To help you decide, go to "bigcustomwheels.com". They have a user friendly "sizes guide" feature that will let you compare tire sizes on your wheels. Shows width, height, speedo correction etc.

Good luck...btw ask your tire supplier to locate "new take-off tires" if he has sources. I paid 175 each for the 275's. They retail for nearly 325.00 each!

 

I would recommend 255/45/18. Gets a little wider, and keeps near the same diameter, so no speedo adjustment needed, and no change in wheel well gap. And there are plenty of choices out there.

 

Great thanks for the tips guys! I'm going to be travelling for 3 weeks for work so I'll probably order them up in November. Brian if you get those Hankooks soon let me know how you like them.