Okay so here is my dilemma. My mustang replaced my 2006 Audi A4 2.0T quattro, it had a great coilover setup (bilstein PSS9), wider forged BBS wheels and sticky tires. So for me, handling on my S197 is very important. I used to love running falken azenis RT615 and wanted to do the same on the S197, however the only available tires they make that meet our diameter is a staggered 255/295 setup. I was ideally looking for 275-285 all around. Any one running the staggered RT 615 setup? does the handle balance out with a rear sway? I was even thinking of running a different brand up front to get a 275 up there. Or should i just run a different brand and squeeze the same fat rubber all around? Lets hear it from someone with experience with 275's or wider all around vs. staggered. Any possibilities on making a staggered setup get near steeda's 1.2g's with 275's all around? I'm not autoXing anymore so it doesn't need to be max handling. Just an all out street setup that can hit the track hard a few times a year.

 

I've been told that the GT500's come with 255's front, 275's rear. Just keep the O.D. close which I think equates to 255/45's and 275/40's.

I have 275's all around and wish I had gone with the above. The 275's up front will tramline every minor rut or deviation in the surface. But overall it's a killer stance and solid handling.

 

First rt-615's won't get you to 1.2g, that is done on R-compound tires and while rt-615's are pretty sticky 1.2 steady state on a normal surface won't happen.

I had worked extensively on an M3 for STU autox. I wasn't impressed with the rt-615 on that car as it was a lot more nervous and less able to put power down than the other tires we tried (Yokohama Neova's). That will only be worse on a more powerful, solid axled car that's not as good at that stuff to begin with.

Regarding staggered setup. Running smaller wheels and tires on the heavy end, harder working end of the car isn't a formula for the best balance.

 

GT500 run 255/45/18 front and 285/40/18 rear.

You must drive where it is dry most of the time and never gets cold. The RT615 are very soft compound and you won't have the benefit of awd. I came from an S4 and the awd can make most tires appear better than they will perform on a rwd set up.

 

In the summer I'm running 285/40/18 BFG KDW2s on 9.5 Steeda Ultra-Lite rims all round. Before the car was lowered there was no rubbing. After installing the Steeda Competiton springs there is a slight rubbing on the inside of the front left but only on full lock.

The car is a DD and track toy running 6 track days last year. So far I am pleased with the tires.

With tires this large tramlining is a problem on the street. So you have to pay attention while driving.

 

I ran the 615s in 255/40/17 all around. Both on AX courses and tracks. I liked them a lot. What size rims do you have? They do make the 275/40/17. For a sticky combo tire IMO they are a good deal.

I ran the Nitto NT01 in 275/40/17 all around. They are even better. I really like these tires. Don't know what kind of Gs I could pull (depends on more than just the tires) but they are pretty darn sticky. Can't run these in the winter though.

Neither setup "balanced" the car. If fact, if anything, they made the understeer worse because the rear end sticks so well (especially the NT01s). IMO, with your near stock power level you don't want a staggered setup, you don't need the rear sticking even more than the front.

I've got the KDWs on my Vette, they are a good tire also, and longer lived. Excellent all around tire.

Any of these are a big handling upgrade.

 

i've got the staggered 255/295 rt-615s with a rear sway. works great for me. i love it. seems pretty balanced, but i guess i don't really have any track experience in the car yet.

 

Lots of helpful posts, I think i'm leaning towards 285 KDW2's all around at this point. How bad is the pull and tramlining from the large front tires? Any body have a recommended offset for tires that large front and rear?

 

If by offset you mean wheel offset then my Steeda Ultra-Lite 18 x 9.5 wheels are 45 mm offset. This is what you need for them to fit on the front.

Trmlining is noticable so you have to pay attention or it can get away from you.

 

Llisten to the previous post. this car will not handle quit as good as a lighter, AWD vehicle. I too run the RT615 in the 255 and 295 staggered fit. i de/tt about 8 to 7 times a year and altough my gt is not a DD it handles just fine on the track with the steeda front and rear sways. i do run 18" GT500 wheels and am about 1.5inches lower then stock. Just remeber the more important factor here is learing that you now have a lot of wieght on the front and you need to learn to control it with out forgetting about that happy live axel at the rear. Just have some fun with it and consider it a challeng to you driving ability and what you have learned at you local events.