I am looking to get new tires real soon, like next week. Anyhow, I am leaning towards keeping the stock wheels and going with 245/45/16's on all four corners. Anyone else running this set up, if so I would like some opinions. Is the handling improved, is the acceleration changed any, Is it worth the extra $$ to go to the larger tire? Appreciate the insight, TIA..

 

I have 245/45/ 16" on stock rims. My car is lowered in the front so they do scrape a little on hard cornering. I am sure you be fine if the height is stock. I don't know if it helpes with handling, when I bought the car it already had the tires on it, but I am sure that it couldn't hurt the way the car handles. That is the biggest you would want to go on the stock rims.

 

I have 245/45 16s RE71s with koni yellows and eibach pro springs. They have not rubbed at all. It's definately easier to put the power to the ground with them. Turn in is not as immediate with the 245s, but you may be able to dial this out with different alignment settings. Regardless it's not that big of a deal.

 

Would it be better to stagger the size, stock in front and the 245's in the back? I have also been considering doing that.

 

Don't stagger. 245/45/16 race tires are on my car. The tires fit the stock wheels perfectly, and mine is lowered with Eibach springs and GAB R shocks.

 

Got 245/45 16's on stock rims, all 4 corners and never rub. I have M2 Coilovers w/ Eibach springs and Gab Super-R Shocks. I also have 285/30 18s on my CCW 18x10 on all 4 corners. They also never rub.

 

I have 245/45/16s all the way around on stock rims and stock suspension. No rubbing EVER. I will be buying tires soon, and will be buying the same size. I think I will be getting the Yoko AVS ES100. Tire Rack has them for $99 each. I dont think you can buy a better tire for less than $150

 

Could you elaborate on this a little more? What do you mean by it's not as immediate? What kind of alignment settings would correct this?

 

I'm running that size on stock rims and stock height. The rears don't fill up the wheel well. Huge gap. Time to lower it but regardless, I've been pleased with the set up.

 

Generally speaker, more rubber on the road is better. Running 245s all around will definitely shorten your stopping distances. The only 225/50s that have been on my R1's stock wheels are the ones the car came with. 245/45s keep the same rolling diameter as well. There's really no debate......245s are superior to 225s. Case closed .

 

Yep here's another one.

RE71s 245/45 16s on stock wheels.
Got Eibach 1" springs, too. NO rubbing ever.

I had the stockers on many many moons ago. It definetly made a differance. Ride quality can vary from one tire to another. I've tried the RE71s, Goodyear gatorbacks (eww), and the Sumitomos. Guy I knew that had 17 inch wheels with the new RE731s (265/40s in the back), when I drove his car, it felt like gooo. I mean, the tires literally felt like I was driving a bar of soap. When those tires came out, they were terrible. Too much side wall flex. He'd jump in my car with the 245/54s RE71s, and he would immediately notice the differance. My tires were a lot stiffer.

I'm using Kumhos Kumho ECSTA 711 right now on my Infiniti, and pretty decent tires. They are pretty predictable when you run them beyond their limits :-D Too bad they don't offer them in 245s/45 16, but I certainly wouln't mind trying the other Kumhos on the FD. My next tires for the FD will either be the Kumhos or the Yoko A032Rs.

 

I also am using 245/45/16s all the way around. I have Tanabe lowering springs and my tires don't rub at all.

 

The 225/50 will have a slightly better turn-in and feel like you have faster acceleration. But, the 245/45 mas MUCH better grip. The turn-in issue is easily alleviated with some more aggressive alignment settings. The acceleration bit is minimal, but it's the price you pay for a heavier tire. The grip is totally worth it. All my race tires and my street tires are in 245/45 16's. (Mostly because I don't have enough scratch for big wheels and Hoo-hoo's. ) But, it is the best tire size for the stock wheels ... hands down.

 

I miss Hoo-hoos

 

I'm running 245-45-26 Michelin Pilot Sports.
Great grip and great looks.
I got them for $175 ea from one of the online tire sites.

tires.com etires.com tirerack.com

 

Actually, from the tire weights I have seen, the 245/45 16 is frequently the same weight or even LIGHTER than the 225/50 in the same tire line. I was surprised by this.

 

26 inch rims!! You be rollin' mad deep, yo !

In all seriousness, I haven't heard great things about the Michelin Pilot Sports. Expensive as all hell......I'd take yoko es100s or S03s over them. What is the treadwear rating, and how are they in the rain?

 

I had 245/45 on my stock rims before changing over to 17's. The 245/45/16 weighed 37 lbs each (Toyo T-1 plus). My new rims and tires are 39 pounds each - Enkei RPF1 with 255/40.

 

My frickin fat fingers again. The Pilots are great in the rain. I hear they wear real fast, only 1000 miles so far.

BTW, if you were workin instead of proofin my posts, I bet all the Iraqi's would have electricity and running water by now !

 

Well, poop on you

That's not my bag, bay-bee......my bag is making sure that all of the people fixing that stuff can talk to each other and to their higher headquarters .

 

Where are you from in Ft. Worth area?
Love Joe T's !!!

I grew up (allegedly) in Garland and lived in Farmers Branch for a while.


Keep safe and have a safe trip back

 

I'm actually from CA and NJ. The army stationed me at Fort Hood, and I began to spend all of my weekends in Fort Worth once I met Steve. Thanks man, appreciate the nice comments .

Rich

 

Thanks for all the info, looks like I will go with the 245/45/16's on all 4.