tire size question

[senna01]

i just bought a new set of oz nova wheels,18" rear,17" front for my 1994 s4 and was wondering what tire sizes i should use front and rear for the best drive etc,thanks for any help

[lotusse89]

For the correct lotus diameter you want 235/40-17 in the front and 285/35-18 in the rear.

Lotus also used 295/35-18 in the rear of the Sport 350 with the same size 18x10" wheels. So you could use those.

[cross-eyed-twit]

Also, if you are after a good track day tyre ie a soft compound ultra grippy amazing cornering tyre then the Dunlop SSR in 265/35 18 is the one. The reason I say 265 (not 285) is that this tyre is oversized. It is actually 287mm across and fits just like a 285. Got them on mine and they fit perfectly. I have an S4 with Novas.
Only £110 delivered to your door too from Mr tyre Motorsport.
You can get Dunlop D01J for a similar price from EARS motorsport too for a soft grippy front tyre but the tread pattern is different, much like the Yokohama A048 but half the price. I can live with that and have them fitted.
These are so much stickier than the Falkens I had and give me much more confidence in the corners. They are, however, not so good in cold and wet weather, in fact the SSRs have a warning emossed on the side that aquaplaning is more likely in very wet weather. I don't use the car in poor weather anyway or at least don't plan to. Sun comes out, car comes out!

:-)
CET

[lotusse89]

cross-eyed-twit said:

Also, if you are after a good track day tyre ie a soft compound ultra grippy amazing cornering tyre then the Dunlop SSR in 265/35 18 is the one. The reason I say 265 (not 285) is that this tyre is oversized. It is actually 287mm across and fits just like a 285. Got them on mine and they fit perfectly. I have an S4 with Novas. Only £110 delivered to your door too from Mr tyre Motorsport. You can get Dunlop D01J for a similar price from EARS motorsport too for a soft grippy front tyre but the tread pattern is different, much like the Yokohama A048 but half the price. I can live with that and have them fitted. These are so much stickier than the Falkens I had and give me much more confidence in the corners. They are, however, not so good in cold and wet weather, in fact the SSRs have a warning emossed on the side that aquaplaning is more likely in very wet weather. I don't use the car in poor weather anyway or at least don't plan to. Sun comes out, car comes out! :-) CET

What diameter are those 265's?

A 265/35-18 will give a 2.2% difference in speedo reading (if taken from the rear tires or tranny), and could effect ABS as well. That is .55" smaller diameter (by numbers) than a 285/35-18.

[cross-eyed-twit]

As I said it is an 'oversized' 265. The tyre fits just like the previous Falken FK451 and is in real terms ( measured it ) 287mm across. Why they called it a 265 I don't know but the ideal wheel width quoted was 9.5 not 10. Like I said it sits on the wheel just like the 285 Falken. sticks to the road -very- well too. Looking at the spec sheet for the different sizes the 285 sits at 297mm or something in width. I don't know if these are available though.

Mr Tyre Motorsport said he has sold many to people with the same questions I had and he hasn't had any complaints. He'll get none from me either. If it does have an effect on the abs and speedo I don't think I will notice it too much. I'm too damn ham-fisted to tell ;-)

had the D01J fitted and they are superb as well.

>> Edited by cross-eyed-twit on Thursday 20th April 07:39