:scratch: It does not make sense to me that ford would actually put smaller tires on the new stang. I do not see any benefit in doing so with respect to enhancing performance or aesthetics. No wonder the new tires do not look as nice as the Goodyears: they are actually smaller and are not-as-low profile as the goodyears. Someone explain what the benefit and how it enhanced performance by going from a P245 45 ZR to a P235 55 Zr. Maybe it did enhance the performance and i am unaware. ANd not to digress, but I just cannot understand what Ford was smoking with the optional rims, they are not mustang. Ford could have done so much better. They are saving the goodies for the forthcoming models. Thanks.

 

Overall performance for all 4 seasons

Yes some people like myself drive the stang in the winter, and the 235 all seasons are the compromise.

 

Well, they wanted a smaller wheel gap and a more comfortable ride, so they went with a larger overall tire diameter at 235/55/17 instead of 245/45/17. They could have put on 255/50/17 on the same rim, which have almost the same diameter as the 235s and are actually wider than the 04s on down, but they saved money by going with the 235s. Personally, I think they shouldn't have cut this corner either.

 

I dislike the tire size on the new Mustang

 

My 2001 GT has the bullit rims and with that low profile tire the lip of the mag sticks out too far as i found out the hardway when i got close to a kerb. I happen to like those new Pirreli,s alot better they protect the bullit mag a heck of a lot more! Talking about those goodyear,s i have come across a number of people who would rather put Kumho,s e.t.c than payout twice as much for old style tread technology. One more thing i thought that 17 Bf Goodrich,s were supposed to be going on the 2005 gt , just my two cents worth.

 

With 235/55/17 as factory....you say that a 255/50/17 will fit on the same rim and give "almost" the same diameter. B) Is the diameter a little taller or shorter than the factory tire height? If it's not shorter at all, but is wider, then I know exactly what I want when I wear out the first set.

 

Giddyup,
255/50s are 7/100" shorter than stock, and the speedo is only off by 0.3mph at 60mph. See here for more info: http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?sh...=0&#entry141490

 

With 235/55/17 as factory....you say that a 255/50/17 will fit on the same rim and give "almost" the same diameter. B) Is the diameter a little taller or shorter than the factory tire height? If it's not shorter at all, but is wider, then I know exactly what I want when I wear out the first set. [/b][/quote]
The diameter will be off .3 mph. Ford selected this tire size to be safe. that's all!! Bad choice IMOP. But we have to deal with it. The mustang is Not the best in the rain or snow , so they thought they could compensate with the tire size. .You can not drive a mustang in the snow with 255's. i swear. I leftt work one night with 1 inch of snow in the parking lot(level might i add). It took all I had just to get the thing out . . they made the mustang to be an all season car with the tire size.Also the car hydros like crazy in the rain with 255's or more. Need i say more for the reason they chose the tire size. I will stil stick with the bigger tire size ford is tring to save them selves from a law suit!!

 

Thanks.... I can handle the 7/100th's shorter, because you couldn't tell with the naked eye, and the wider footprint will give a more agressive look.

 

Personally I am happy with my Nitto 555s, and they are a good buy for the money (very affordable). I did not know that a P235 is almost as wide as the P245 in diameter, according to one of the postings. Am I right? Or am I mistaken? Is the current P235 a better performing tire than its predecessor P245? HOw does ford justify using this type of tire and its dimensions in terms of improving performance? And I still have not heard if people agree that the optional rim is not Mustang and should not even be on the new stang. Ford could do so much better with those rims. ( I know the optional rims have probably already been discussed ad nauseam) I am waiting a year or two before I get mine.

 

I love the look of the optional concept rims on the Satin Silver (my order). B)

 

We all have to buy new tires when the first set wears out......

 

I do not intend to knock anyone's stang or their rims. These rims aren't that bad but I was just expecting more for the optional rims. i prefer the 18s they are a great improvement over the current optionals. Do you guys remember the optional 17 rims back in 94. They looked like the 83 rims but they were still a poor design. Again, I still think the current optional rim is not mustang. thanks

 

Considering the huge wheel wells, 18s or 19s look so much better, IMO. Not that the 17s look bad, not at all, just...under-sized.

 

My thoughts exactly. So who cares what Ford puts on the car, they go off right away anyway

 

they put skinnier tires to get better gas milage (less friction)

 

Who would have EVER thought that one day we'd all be grumping about 17" rims looking TOO SMALL??

Showing my age. I remember when going from 14" to 15" was the big time!

 

I have an earlier thread that talks about this too.

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=9561

I basically could not stand the cornering characteristics of the new 05 and pony'd up the cash and replaced my tires with 255/50/17 BF Goodrich G Force All Season.

Great tire for this car.

 

I fit was to save money, they should've left out the My Color and spent it on tires.
So narrow tires are better in snow than wide tires?
I'm from AL. No snow here.

Jason

 

kind of odd... I thought too...
I drove a vette for the last 3-yeas, in snow, rain and sunshine with 285's rear and 255's in front...... and i'll add with no problems...