Now that I have used up 2 pages for the rims, I now could use some advice on the tires:

Since I have the 18 x 9's now, I'm looking for tires to go on them. My choices are limited because I'm sitting on a Military base in Germany, so it's mostly Tire Rack as my sole (inexpensive) route to get these tires.

This is a 2-parter question and I hope somebody out there has some good advice or ideas:

1a) Will a 255/55-18 tire fit in the front fender well without scraping or rubbing?
1b) Would a tire of that size (1.8 inch over stock in diameter) look OK in the front well?

2) What (if anything) would get messed up or be affected if I put 30 inch diameter tires (255/60-18) on the back? ABS ? TCS ? or should I stay with the same all around?

The reason I'm leaning toward the 55's, is that there are 38 different tires available on the website. 50's have a poor selection (3 each).

TIA,
Tom

 

if overall diameter of the front on my car, it is 27.8 inches tall, so going with the 255/50/18 will be the closest.

1a) Im dont think many people would know if the 255/55/18 tire will fit because most people are decreasing overall tire hieght to get more respoveness. To find out, you may want to measure the clearances you have in the front. (make sure you also measure with the wheels turned at both locks)

1b) If it did fit, it it may look okay, but it may look wierd because it has big wheels, and tires that look like they belong on a SUV, and this is a mustang.

2) If you went with larger tires on the back, you would likely have problems with the abs and tcs, meaning that they will be going on at random times. Also, because the car already slopes toward the front, you will be adding to this effect. Your best solution would be to go the same all around, and maybe lower the rear by cutting off a half coil off the springs.

 

Jason,

How's the ride feel? Any "rougher" than stock?

I did some research and made a "contraption" out of a wooden ruler, packing tape and a marker. Then based off the measurements of my 18 x 9 (+36) rim and the 255/55-18 tires I attached it to the current stock tires at different positions. I then ran the steering back and forth - - - it rubs! so . . . 255/55-18's are OUT.

Because the 255/50-18's don't have the best selections around, I'm dropping to 245/50-18's or 255/45-18's.

Kust wanted to know how the 45 ride was.

Thanks,
Tom

 

looks good id love to see some more pics of those rims when you get some.

 

Um, dont know if anyone mentioned this (I didnt read all three pages) but the 3D car he posted actually has 22s on it, not 20s...

I was originally going go 20s, then I decided I am going 18s in front, and 19s in back. I must be DIFFERENT! LOL

 

yaa . . . you got me. Somebody else pointed that out too on the first page.

Thanks

 

FINALLY

Based on allot of help, advise, opinions, and PM's to all in this thread, I finally made up my mind for new rims and tires:

Envelope please . . . . . . .

Crager S/S Chrome Aluminum - 18 x 9

[attachmentid=30293]

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S - 255/45YR18

[attachmentid=30294]

Thanks again for everybody helping me blow $2000 :bang:

Honestly, I couldn't of done it without everybodies advice in this thread (and some PM's to a select few).

Tom

 

Good for you. Also, by going with essentially a stock diameter tire, you haven't messed up your speedometer, odometer, rear-end gear ratio, suspension geometry, or eny of the things I didn't think of while reading this thread.

BTW, I've seen an '05 with those wheels and it looked REAL good.

 

What's the offset on those Cragar's?

Like Infinity said you'd be much better off sticking with the stock tire diameter. Glad you chose the 255/45/18's.

If you want wider tires in the back, in won't mess up anything at all to go with 285/40/18's.

Mine rides only a little bit rougher, but it's barely noticable. I'm not sure if this is obvious or not, but those 285/40/18's I mentioned will ride the same as the 255/45/18's because the sidewall height is the same.

As for the fill ratio of the front wheel well on mine, it's the same as stock beacuse I have the 255/45/18's. There are more pictures in my Gallery. Click on "My Jessica" in my sig. If you'd like any more, let me know.

 

Offset is +36.

I thought about the wider tires, but the Frau didn't like the fact that they would "hang-out" that far from the rim.

Since a "Lowering Kit" is on the horizon, I thought it better to stay with the 255's.

Tom

 

The ride is a bit rougher than stock, but not something that is harsh or annoys me. Since you are looking for comfort rather than performance, i would have gone with a 245/50/18 instead of the 255/45/18 because the sidewall is sligthly higher. And also, the 245/50 is the same diameter as my tires, while the 255/45 is just slightly smaller than stock, reducing your ground clearance and increasing your wheel gap. Since you will be lowering it, the wheel gap most likely will not be an issue, but you will be losing more ground clearance, which may or may not be a problem for you (it is for me so i went with a taller tire)

 

I have 20's and the car is gorgeous get nothing but compliments so I agree that the 20's are for looks. I have a pretty decent size tire on my rims so I think my ride quality is excellent and to be totally honest I don't even remember how it felt to ride on 17's anymore. Go with the 20's, but choose your tire carefully with some extra meat.

 

Too late, already set "The Wheels in Motion"

Check my sig for pics.

Tom