SilverHoss

Hi all,

Looking at getting some new wheels for my 2011 GT, and and I really like the look of the Boss Laguna seca or 2010 GT500 style wheels which are similar.
American Muscle ha some wheel/tire combos I've been looking at, and trying to weigh the pros/cons of 18x9 GT500 w/ p255/40r18 vs 19x9 LS wheels with P245/45R19 tires.

The 19" wheels should give me a little tighter handling feel due to the lower profile tires, but will the ride be too harsh?
Anyone running the Boss LS wheels on a regular GT?

Pros/Cons ?
thanks

hootie_john

I'd probably stick with the 18" wheel/tire, simply because there are more options available (at present). That may change in the future. You'll likely not be able to tell a difference in the handling between the two, unless you're tracking the car regularly. If you are, get a set a track tires/wheels.

Norm Peterson

You sure that isn't 255/45-18 and 245/40-19?

255/40-19's are a somewhat closer diameter match to the OE tires than 245/45-19's. Have you tried getting those on the 19's instead?


Norm

ModBargains

+1

I think you have the tire sizes swapped (at least the sidewall size you do). 255/45/18 is right and so is 255/40/19 for the other set of wheels.

Personally for myself, I have 20"s, so I'm in another ballpark, but I would say at least go with the OEM size! With 255/45 sized tires on there, I think that's too much tire, at least for my taste it is. I'd go with at least 19"s on that year GT for sure. We've got tons of options for wheels/tires so feel free to check out what we have as well, who knows maybe you'll find your next wheel love

STANGmole

I have 245/45/19's on my 2010 (the size that it had from the factory) and have experienced no harshness from both the original wheels, and my current Ford Racing black track pack (brembo) wheels that are 19x9.

I do have Koni STR.T strut/shocks, however...which got rid of my constant urge to clench my teeth while going over potholes and also increased the stability of the car at high speeds. The stock struts and shocks are garbage.

When I first had the car, tire selection in the 245/45/19 size was very limited. That isn't really the case now. There are quite a few tires currently available in all varieties (high performance, summer, winter, all season, etc) and multiple brands in that size.

SilverHoss

Yep,I had it wrong. They were 18x9 wheels w/ P255/45-18 's.

The 19x9 wheels were being offered with P245/45-19 wheels.
I looked up those tires, and they do have a larger diameter than my stock P235/50-18 (stock diameter is 27.2", and those P245/45-19's are 27.7" diameter) so that would hurt my acceleration/speedometer accuracy some, but according to AM, not enough to be perceptible. (?)
Not sure why the 19" wheels were being offered with that size tire when the Boss LS has P255/40-19 rubber on it I believe, which is about a 27" tire . Unless, it's because P245/45-19 tires are much cheaper than P255/40-19 and have more options available?

Anyhow, I liked the look of the Boss LS wheels better and as said before I thought the lower profile tires would help with handling tightness/feel some.
But 1) the tires are more expensive and 2) the tires they are offering in their combos are not the ideal size for the 19" rims, it seems.
So still having trouble deciding what to do here - I was hoping to improve the look and handling some at the same time without spending a fortune!

Keep those opinions coming, please!

SilverHoss

That's good to hear on the harshness factor, or the lack thereof! I do have Koni StR.T's on my 2011, so I have that covered. Yeah the stock shocks are total garbage, and the ones on my 2011 were even more putrid than what my previous '08 'stang had stock.

AMDanBailer

I think you've picked out two great wheel options! I love the Laguna Seca Wheels and the 2010 GT500 Wheels, I've always loved the multi 5 spoke design.

The ride between 18's and 19's won't be much different. A lot of the new 11+ Mustangs are coming with 19's from the factory now, so wheel and tire options are becoming much more common! I run 19x9's up front and a 19x10 out back on my 2011 GT and absolutely love the look. I'm lowered on Eibach Sport lines and have 19's so the Stance is exactly where I want it to be!

You can't really go wrong with either of these options, best of luck! Let me know if you have any questions or need some assistance.

-Dan

Norm Peterson

Kudos for noting that the appearance aspects of wheel and tire choices is always subject to individual preferences.

Especially coming from a newbie to the site (welcome aboard!).


Norm

SilverHoss

Thanks, Dan!

PM sent...