New ST Owner in Long Island NY Area

[rotation_nation]

I just placed an order for the OZ Superturismo GTs in 17x7 in gunmetal, and ended up calling an audible on tires and going with the General G-MAX AS-07. I was about to move forward with Pilot Sport 5s, which aren't CRAZY expensive (around $180/tire), but went down a rabbit hole of research and learned that they are actually a pretty numb feeling tire. To me, feel > absolute grip, as I like to enjoy cars at reasonably safe speeds. The reviews on the Generals are all very positive (shockingly so) and many comment on the responsiveness/steering feel from them. Separately, we have another couple months of sub 40* weather in NY, and I don't want to get stranded somewhere if it starts to snow. I told my wife that the Fiesta would be much better in the snow than the Cayman, and I wouldn't want to have to explain why I suddenly need her to pick me up from the train station when there is a light dusting of snow on the ground.

I am going to see how the Generals feel, and can always throw some summer rubber on the OZ wheels in April if I don't like them. But based on the reviews, it sounds like the Generals will be markedly better than the budget rubber I have on the car now.

I will post some pictures when I get the new wheels/tires on the car. Now I need to commit to a set of lowering springs - torn between the Swift and Mountune. I've always known Swift to make the best springs in the business, but I love that Mountune is a sort of extension of the Ford factory and has gone through significant testing to match the springs to our stock dampers. Open to any input from the group!

 

[Capri to ST]

I just placed an order for the OZ Superturismo GTs in 17x7 in gunmetal, and ended up calling an audible on tires and going with the General G-MAX AS-07. I was about to move forward with Pilot Sport 5s, which aren't CRAZY expensive (around $180/tire), but went down a rabbit hole of research and learned that they are actually a pretty numb feeling tire. To me, feel > absolute grip, as I like to enjoy cars at reasonably safe speeds. The reviews on the Generals are all very positive (shockingly so) and many comment on the responsiveness/steering feel from them. Separately, we have another couple months of sub 40* weather in NY, and I don't want to get stranded somewhere if it starts to snow. I told my wife that the Fiesta would be much better in the snow than the Cayman, and I wouldn't want to have to explain why I suddenly need her to pick me up from the train station when there is a light dusting of snow on the ground.

I am going to see how the Generals feel, and can always throw some summer rubber on the OZ wheels in April if I don't like them. But based on the reviews, it sounds like the Generals will be markedly better than the budget rubber I have on the car now.

I will post some pictures when I get the new wheels/tires on the car. Now I need to commit to a set of lowering springs - torn between the Swift and Mountune. I've always known Swift to make the best springs in the business, but I love that Mountune is a sort of extension of the Ford factory and has gone through significant testing to match the springs to our stock dampers. Open to any input from the group!

That's interesting that your research disclosed that the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 seems to be a bit numb on steering feel. In post number 18 on this thread which I started on them when they first became available, the Forum member said the handling and turn in were good and crisp-
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/new-tire-in-oem-size-michelin-pilot-sport-5.32524/

Hopefully as more members have them we'll get more opinions on them.

 

[rotation_nation]

It sounds like they are superb from a performance standpoint, but feel squishier than peers at that price point. I’m sure they are excellent, and will probably try them in the future on the fiesta or cayman.

any opinions on swift vs mountune springs if I’m going after a mild drop and crisp turn in/handling?

 

[M-Sport fan]

For the Cayman you would be able to get the much superior to the 5s, newest, latest and greatest Pilot SUPER Sport replacement, whatever that will be at that time.

We with this platform are 'stuck' with the plain old 5s since Michelin refuses to build any of their 'supercar' level tires in any diameters smaller than a 19" (maybe some select few 18s?) wheel anymore.
Actually, even in the PS5s, our size is the ONLY even 17" one made, and also the smallest size offered in that tire.

The AS-07s are a great tire, and at times I am sorry I did not get them over the Conti DWS-06es in the 205/50-16 size for my 3 season, 16" Dekagram daily driver wheels, but I had to find out if all of the positive raves/praise about/of the Contis was true or not.

Most likely I will try them (or their successors) next time around on those wheels.

If I ever get around to doing the suspension on this car, and go for an 'off the shelf' type option if/when I do, I will most likely go for the Spec Rs, but will pair them with Bilstein B6es.

IF you are worried about static ride height ground clearance, speed bumps, driveways, road craters, etc. the Swifts do not lower the car quite as much as the Mountunes.

Plus, they are linear rate (even though they do not look like it due to the built-in lower coil 'tender' spring section), so even though the steady state ride is not quite as 'cushy' as the Mountunes, you are less likely to bottom out the dampers, and arguably/possibly will have a much better steering response and initial turn-in.

 

[rotation_nation]

Very helpful feedback! I’m quite happy with my decision to go with the generals. I had never heard of general tires until this week, but was quite taken aback by the reviews everywhere online. And the value seems to be excellent.

on the swift springs, it sounds like they are the better spring in every way other than comfort. Do you know if they are excessively punishing compared to stock? I don’t want an “extreme” ride, but really value turn in response.

 

[rotation_nation]

Update - went ahead and ordered the swift springs based on a lot of searching on this forum and the advice of Ron at Whoosh (via his older posts). Also ordered the whoosh rear spring pads, their symposer delete, and new reverse lockout. Ordered new bolts/hardware for the installation.

Separately, grabbed rokblokz mud flaps and an alcantara steering wheel wrap from east detailing. I will report back on the installation process and end result. If I don’t like it, can always go with the whoosh wheel.

thank you all for your help as I get my fiesta dialed in!

 

[rotation_nation]

The wheels (3 of them at least) have arrived!
View attachment IMG_0921.jpeg View attachment IMG_0922.jpeg

 

[M-Sport fan]

The wheels (3 of them at least) have arrived!
View attachment 65511 View attachment 65512

NICE!

Those are still the closest hoops aesthetics-wise to the tarmac rally wheels that all of the top WRC Rally 1/Rally2 teams are using (theirs are all 5x135 PCD, 18x8, and made out of forged {??} magnesium alloy though).

I am surprised that they showed up that quickly, as usually customs would hold onto them longer causing delays.

(I ordered some decals/stickers from the UK and they held them at customs for almost 2 weeks for a little, thin envelope with cardboard reinforcement, but maybe the whole Royal Mail-> USPS thing causes a big delay in customs, whereas air freight shipments do not??)

 

[rotation_nation]

NICE!

Those are still the closest hoops aesthetics-wise to the tarmac rally wheels that all of the top WRC Rally 1/Rally2 teams are using (theirs are all 5x135 PCD, 18x8, and made out of forged {??} magnesium alloy though).

I am surprised that they showed up that quickly, as usually customs would hold onto them longer causing delays.

(I ordered some decals/stickers from the UK and they held them at customs for almost 2 weeks for a little, thin envelope with cardboard reinforcement, but maybe the whole Royal Mail-> USPS thing causes a big delay in customs, whereas air freight shipments do not??)

Yes I love the look - real rally vibes! I ordered these from Tire Rack, so they shipped from South Bend, IN. They came very fast though. I would have had to order from overseas if I wanted the 16" variants. Would have saved a bit of weight and expanded the tire choices, but after looking at lots of pictures I really preferred the look of 17's in this particular wheel.

 

[Capri to ST]

Yes I love the look - real rally vibes! I ordered these from Tire Rack, so they shipped from South Bend, IN. They came very fast though. I would have had to order from overseas if I wanted the 16" variants. Would have saved a bit of weight and expanded the tire choices, but after looking at lots of pictures I really preferred the look of 17's in this particular wheel.

The wheels look good, what are the specs on them?

 

[M-Sport fan]

Yes I love the look - real rally vibes! I ordered these from Tire Rack, so they shipped from South Bend, IN. They came very fast though. I would have had to order from overseas if I wanted the 16" variants. Would have saved a bit of weight and expanded the tire choices, but after looking at lots of pictures I really preferred the look of 17's in this particular wheel.

OK, yes I forgot that you decided on the 17s, and not the UK/Europe only 16s you originally were looking at getting.

If OZed/TR had offered that style (vs. the deeper lug pocket Superturismo LMs) in a 17x7.5, or 17x8, I would have bought them way back when instead of the 17x8 Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s I ended up getting.

 

[rotation_nation]

OZ superturismo GT 17x7 part number W01672252P5

Stock dimension. Not superlights by any stretch - a couple pounds lighter than factory. Although I will say I’ve gone down the ultralight wheel path in the past and did not notice the gains I was expecting (after doing a bunch of comparison tests with my RaceBox). Lighter is definitely better but I’ve given up prioritizing weight over aesthetics.

 

[rotation_nation]

View attachment IMG_0933.jpg

Pure, unadulterated drivers cars

 

[M-Sport fan]

^^^I could not agree more.

Years ago on this forum, there were those who swore by the 949 Racing 6UL wheels as the 'ultimate' for this car, despite having to drill our hubs to a Honda/whatever's 4x100 PCD in order to even use them, as they were not made in our 4x108 at all.

Granted, for the coin they cost (before the pain and minor cost of the drilling) given their feather weight and supposed strength, they were a great choice for open tracking, time attack, etc.

But I personally could not stand the way they looked on our rides (in the smaller sizes we would have to use in order to save said precious weight, or fit at all, as I've seen that wheel in the 17"/18" sizes on some BRZs/FT 86es and they looked decent in those diameters), and drew much criticism for expressing that over their zero gravity weight 'function'.

To me, if I cannot stand the way a set of wheel makes my car look when walking up to it for a drive, I do not want them no matter how 'negative gravity' they may be.

 

[M-Sport fan]

View attachment 65514

Pure, unadulterated drivers cars

I like your equivalent of "Save the manuals" tags on the P-car.

 

[rotation_nation]

I like your equivalent of "Save the manuals" tags on the P-car.

hahaha thanks. have to help preserve the manual!

by the way, is there a way to post pictures on this forum and have them show up in the post, rather than as a link?

 

[rotation_nation]

^^^I could not agree more.

Years ago on this forum, there were those who swore by the 949 Racing 6UL wheels as the 'ultimate' for this car, despite having to drill our hubs to a Honda/whatever's 4x100 PCD in order to even use them, as they were not made in our 4x108 at all.

Granted, for the coin they cost (before the pain and minor cost of the drilling) given their feather weight and supposed strength, they were a great choice for open tracking, time attack, etc.

But I personally could not stand the way they looked on our rides (in the smaller sizes we would have to use in order to save said precious weight, or fit at all, as I've seen that wheel in the 17"/18" sizes on some BRZs/FT 86es and they looked decent in those diameters), and drew much criticism for expressing that over their zero gravity weight 'function'.

To me, if I cannot stand the way a set of wheel makes my car look when walking up to it for a drive, I do not want them no matter how 'negative gravity' they may be.

Yes! There was a big test done among miata enthusiasts years ago where they compared lap times with heavy and light wheels, and the difference was negligible. I think the huge impact of unsprung weight is overstated.