Performance question about going to 205/45-17

[neeqness]

I stopped by another tire shop today and said that I should not get the Michelin AS as they are not rated W which the ST calls for. It may be a liability item for any shop that installs less than recommended tire.

Right now it's between the 204/45 Indy 500 for $100 and the 205/40 re050 for 126 both through tirerack unless I find a better deal somewhere. Black Friday maybe?

There is an ultra high performance Michelin AS that is W/Y rated for that size. Perhaps your mechanic was looking at the high performance Michelin AS that is H/V rated.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[M-Sport fan]

I stopped by another tire shop today and said that I should not get the Michelin AS as they are not rated W which the ST calls for. It may be a liability item for any shop that installs less than recommended tire.

Right now it's between the 204/45 Indy 500 for $100 and the 205/40 re050 for 126 both through tirerack unless I find a better deal somewhere. Black Friday maybe?

Take that tire guy over to a local Ford dealer and either SHOW him the V-rated PS AS3 on a BRAND NEW FiST, or have him talk to the dealer's tire guy to be explained to that they come FROM THE FACTORY with THAT tire, despite the speed rating!!

 

[richtor]

H and V rating was the tire they that showed on their computer. I'm guessing the higher W/Y rating tires are more expensive.
I'll have to stop by the local dealers here in NorCal. I think here they all come the RE050's.

I'm trying to stay under 500 otd. I'm not a big fan of Michelin but will go that route if I can find a great deal.
Pirelli Nero or the Firestone Indy 500 are the leading candidates so far.
Outside is the GMax AS03.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Michelin does NOT produce a PS AS3 in the 205/40-17 size in ANYTHING BUT a V-rating, NO; W,Z, etc. at all (unless they added one in the last week or so?).

 

[neeqness]

Michelin does NOT produce a PS AS3 in the 205/40-17 size in ANYTHING BUT a V-rating, NO; W,Z, etc. at all (unless they added one in the last week or so?).

The thread was for a 205/45-17 not 205/40-17.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[richtor]

My price quote was for the M AS 205/40 for 90 a tire at Costco. That was for the H/V rated tire. The ZR AS 205/45 is 143 a tire at tirerack which makes it $200 more than the great quote I received.

 

[neeqness]

When this thread first came out, I was interested in keeping the oem wheels and not buy any rims. But now I think I will buy a 15x8 or 15x7 and get a meatier tire so I think I have some more options now. Probably try out the Firestone Indy if the Michelins are out of budget when the time comes. The BFG is intriguing, but I've heard they are noisy and harsher than some. Not something I'm willing to compromise as the roads here are noisy and harsh as they are already...but we'll see what's available when the time comes. I haven't ruled then out entirely.


Sent using Tapatalk

 

[richtor]

There's tons of options for 205/45 out there. I think there is no reason to go to a smaller wheel.

For me I want the best performance for the price. If I had a choice I'd like to stay with oem size. However to save $50+ I'd buy the 205/45 first.

I just found a website that has the pzero Nero for 71 and re050 for $84 at 205/40. Now just to get americas tire store to match those prices.

 

[neeqness]

True, but I've been inspired to get a meatier tire than the 45s. I'm looking at the 50 or 55 range now and a 15 will help me get there a lot easier. Also I'd prefer to lower my car a bit and from what I hear a meatier tire like that should help the ride some. If so, I may be able to run my lowering springs with the stock suspension for performance that I would prefer without the harshness I was getting on the stock sized tires. Secondly the 15s are lighter and I am looking at getting one of the lighter wheels for added handling, acceleration, and braking potential.

It doesn't hurt that I also like that meaty tire look.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[richtor]

Interesting. Most lower their car to get a more rail like ride not to make it softer. I would double check the handling of a 15/16 wheel. If that was the case most high performance track car would have a lot smaller tire. It is true you will get less rotational mass. Have you looked into adjustable coilovers?

 

[neeqness]

I am actually lowering it for the performance also. I like the setup but the roads in my area have lots of potholes. So I currently have softer suspension that's still somewhat sporty to take away the harshness.

I'm hoping the meatier tires will dampen the harshness enough to make it manageable for my area. I want to keep my suspension simple though and coilovers are outside my budget since I'm not racing my car. Maybe I'll do a few canyon runs every once in awhile.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[richtor]

Lowering the car won't give you garranteed performance advantage and could hurt performance. Unless they've engineered it correctly, but generally those kits cost more money since they put more time and energy to get it right.
Stock it runs a .95 skid pad and pulled 1.31 at LS. These are great numbers. I'm not touching my suspension.

 

[neeqness]

Lowering the car won't give you garranteed performance advantage and could hurt performance. Unless they've engineered it correctly, but generally those kits cost more money since they put more time and energy to get it right.
Stock it runs a .95 skid pad and pulled 1.31 at LS. These are great numbers. I'm not touching my suspension.

I've lowered it before with springs and it does improve performance. The oem springs have an extra "bounce" (particularly noticeable on lumpy freeways). Aftermarket springs seem to reduce that bounce which in turn improves traction, keeps the tires more planted on the road, and provides that rail like feel in turns. That lower center of gravity has it's benefits as well.

I'm also dropping it for looks too though, looks just aren't my highest priority. Besides I already have the stock struts and Eibach springs sitting in my house waiting to jump on the car, lol. It's not a kit and the springs are engineered for the oem struts.

Sent using Tapatalk

 

[richtor]

Rail like feel is not improved performance. What were the numbers?

I'll start another thread in the suspension section.

 

[M-Sport fan]

It's not a kit and the springs are engineered for the oem struts.

As are (supposedly) the Swift springs for this car.

 

[neeqness]

Rail like feel is not improved performance. What were the numbers?

I'll start another thread in the suspension section.

No problem. Even if you could prove performance was not improved (which I seriously doubt), I'd still switch. I don't like how the oem springs and struts bounce after hitting bumps. Imo, they do not keep the wheels planted as optimally as these aftermarket springs in street conditions.

Now I can't speak personally on the other springs as I have not actually tried them, but there are lots of threads here on the subject. Some prefer H&R, others swift (which I may consider trying in the future), but I am not the only one here with this opinion.

Sent using Tapatalk