Wider and Thinner Tires on Sport Rims

Diezul

Hi guys, I've been looking at buying new tires because I got 3 nails in one tire and about 12K on my vehicle, so I figured it would just be best to replace all 4. There is still a good amount of tread on the tires, but I should just change them out right?

So I've been reading other threads about tires sizes and I was thinking about going for 255/35/19 for the Fronts and 295/30/19 on the Rears. People seem to think this is fine, but I read one comment by someone that said that it would look weird, so I just want to get more input. I'm not wanting to get any spacers. My question is what are the positives and negatives of getting a thinner and wider tire? Is this a good size to go with if my plan is to keep everything else stock? Or should I just stick with the recommended tire sizes? Thank you so much in advance.

memorylasts

Well for one if I am understanding the question right, your results will show a harsher ride due to less of a side wall

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m4a1mustang

They say it will look funny because you're going to have less sidewall, increasing the gap between the tire and the fenders.

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ChrisSlicks

Look for tires that have the same overall diameter (but are slightly wider). This will keep the sidewall height the same even if the the aspect ratio is different.

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IDZRVIT

Select a wider tire that has the same diameter as the oem tire and it will look fine and the gap between the fender and the tire will remain the same i.e. diameter didn't change. I have the 18" rims and went with 245/45 front (oem 225/50) and 275/40 rear (oem 245/45). No rubbing issues either.

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Diezul

Okay, so if I understand correctly, overall diameter is what I should be paying attention to mostly?

So the stock Potenza ones are:
Front - 245/40/19 with overall diameter 26.9"
Rear - 275/35/19 with overall diameter 26.5"

I am looking at getting the Hankook Ventus V12:
Front - 255/35/19 wither overall diameter 26.0" or 255/40/19 wither overall diameter 27.1"?
Rear - 285/35/19 with overall diameter 26.9" or 295/30/19 with overall diameter 26.0"?

Thank you so much.

RedlineZ

Looks like you used the tire calculator site...

Tire size calculator

The site will also tell you the side wall heights. Remember that there will be some visual change despite the physical change. For example, a stock 245/40/19 tire changed to a new 275/35/19 tire goes from a 3.9 inch sidewall to a 3.8 inch sidewall, but there will be a lot more bulge due to how it sits on the 19x9 inch rim, and therefore may appear larger to the eye.

The rest of it is give and take, IMHO. A wider tire looks good and gives a little more contact patch, but may add rotational weight and rob some response sharpness from the handling. The differences can be minor or noticeable, so it depends on the owner/driver. Personally, my street set up isn't for eeking out the last bit of performance, so I go with big fat meats. But the track tires aren't (or won't be when I get them) as aggressive.

Hope my .02 cents helps... Good luck!

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ChrisSlicks

Use the manufacturer specs for tire diameter as they vary somewhat between brands.

You are shooting for a tire diameter as close to being between 26.5 and 27 as possible. Just as important, the difference between front and rear should be less than 0.5".

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kenchan

basically get the same size as factory.

ChrisSlicks

Not at all. I went with 275/305 and I'm very happy with that combination. Just make sure the diameters are close.

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m4a1mustang

How did the feel change with the bigger tires? I like that combo you are running but mine would be the Ventus V12s

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209Z

u get better grip with 265/35/19 front and 305/30/19 which i hear is amazing with the re 11s.

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m4a1mustang

Unfortunately it doesn't appear that the V12s are offered in that size for the fronts.

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ChrisSlicks

The steering is just a little bit heavier and it does tend to track road grooves slightly more. However the increase in grip with the RE-11's is pretty great.

The Ventus V12 your choices are:

Stock
245/40R19
275/35R19

Ideal (based on rim width)
255/40R19
285/35R19

Maxed
275/35R19
305/30R19

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m4a1mustang

I was leaning toward the ideal setup, I just haven't decided yet if I wanted to max out and go as wide as possible.

Of course the ideal setup ends up adding a bit of sidewall which I don't really want.

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