safetyfastgt

I'm running 2010 GT500 wheels 18 x 9.5" with Nitto 555 in 255-45-18. I have Steeda Sport springs and Koni orange shocks with Steeda HD mounts. I'm debating on whether to go to 275-40-18. I'm fairly happy with the 255s and the price and selection is a little better in that size. Would I see any real benefit to justify the cost difference? As far as what I need, the car is mostly spirited around town driving and 60 to 80 miles highway driving per week. I don't drive her much when the weather is bad. I was autocrossing some, but had to give it up due to weekend obligations with my kids. Any recommendations on what tires? The cheapest tire I've seen locally that looks pretty good is the Yokohama S-Drive. The BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp2 is similarly priced, though a bit more.

Norm Peterson

I'd go with a better tire in 255/45-18 before going after a 275/40-18 based on price.


If it matters, I wasn't all that happy with BFG's original g-force sports on a different car of similar weight and power to the S197 GT. Good enough at accelerating or cornering separately, not so good at combining the two (mainly at autocross but not exclusively so).


I know it's a big $ step up, but Michelin Pilot Super Sports are available in 275/40-18, and they are at least as durable as their 300 tread wear rating suggests, with outstanding dry and wet weather performance.


Here's wet, with speeds varying between 40 and 115 . . . I remember running at or above 55 mph through Turn 1 at the end of the main straight where I did see 115 mph on at least one clear lap.






Norm

safetyfastgt

Thanks Norm. You are a great asset to all the Mustang forums you are a part of.

safetyfastgt

I looked at the Michelins. They are quite a bit more $. What about the Pilot Sport A/S 3? I normally shy away from a all season tire, but my dad got went with an all season on his C6 Vette and he said they are plenty good enough for anything he can do on the street.

Norm Peterson

The A/S 3 and maybe Goodyear's new Asymmetric All Season are about as good as all-seasons get for performance, with the Michelin probably having a slight edge. The "What We Learned on the Road" section in the linked Tire Rack test should be helpful.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=177


I've got Michelin's previous A/S Plus on my wife's car for the "cold months". This is their 4th winter and I've been generally satisfied. Very satisfied with the performance actually, somewhat less satisfied with their balance (and I suspect the shop's inexpensive mounting-and-balancing job more than I do the tires). This past winter I flipped a coin between the A/S 3 and the Goodyear for our 2001 Maxima and went with the Goodyears. Haven't had a chance to drive on them yet, as that car is in the middle of a crankshaft pulley replacement effort with a PS pump that refuses to budge so I can get its new belt installed. I refuse to lay on my back in a puddle of water or sheet of ice to work on a car any more unless they all break at the same time.


Norm