Does anyone have advise on 18" tires for my IRS MK4?

[MonsterMan]

I am looking for performance tires that track well on the freeway and have predictable performance in corners. I'm in So CA so I don't care about wet performance and I may do some autocross. I picked up the FFR 18' wheels on the Black Friday sale and need some rubber. Thanks in advance for any help.

[edwardb]

Most (including me) will recommend what they chose. I went with BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 245/40ZR18 front, BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 315/30ZR18 rear. Just under 2,000 miles with them so far, and I like them a lot. Decent traction for a performance street tire. Smooth and quiet running. Like most you'll find though, not cheap. I would have preferred a 255 for the front, but they don't have that size. The 245's are pretty meaty though. Appear nearly identical to the 255 Nitto's I had on my previous build.

[Jazzman]

In went with the Nitto INVO tires, but with only 240 miles on them, I can't really tell you a lot. Thus far, I like them fine. They look good, they are quiet on the freeway, they have great traction. I chose them because they were one of the only companies that had a front and rear tire pair that "matched". In hindsight, the one thing I don't like about them is that they did not have a 315 rear. The largest they made at the time was 295. As they are, they are just big enough for the rear wheel, but they do not blossom out beyond the wheel. I think they might look a little better with just a touch of bow on them. More importantly, I would prefer to have just a bit of rubber beyond the wheel to protect the wheel from hitting the curb. (Ask me how I learned that one!!)

[wareaglescott]

I have 3500 miles on my Falken Azenis and am very pleased. With that being said I don't drive near the cars limits.

[FFinisher]

Most (including me) will recommend what they chose. I went with BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 245/40ZR18 front, BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 315/30ZR18 rear. Just under 2,000 miles with them so far, and I like them a lot. Decent traction for a performance street tire. Smooth and quiet running. Like most you'll find though, not cheap. I would have preferred a 255 for the front, but they don't have that size. The 245's are pretty meaty though. Appear nearly identical to the 255 Nitto's I had on my previous build.


Ditto.

I have purchased three sets of these for my personal car and two other builds.

Monster man- One set is on the white car I sent you pictures
of with the FFR 18's.

[JRL16]

Falken tires also. One thing about these tires and the other makes as well they are very sticky. They pick up and toss every pebble or stone they encounter.

[TexasAviator]

Most (including me) will recommend what they chose. I went with BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 245/40ZR18 front, BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 315/30ZR18 rear. Just under 2,000 miles with them so far, and I like them a lot. Decent traction for a performance street tire. Smooth and quiet running. Like most you'll find though, not cheap. I would have preferred a 255 for the front, but they don't have that size. The 245's are pretty meaty though. Appear nearly identical to the 255 Nitto's I had on my previous build.

x3 on edwards recommendation. Also if you want to track the car, maybe put a nice street tire on the Halibrands and get a set of much lighter forged wheels for the track.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The Rivals are a good choice for an all around high performance tire. If you're looking for a step up in traction and performance Nitto NT-01 and Toyo 888 are available in the proper sizes but due to the softer "R" compounds will not be a long lived (I get ~5,000 out of a set of NT-01).

Jeff

[CobraKan]

The Rivals are a good choice for an all around high performance tire. If you're looking for a step up in traction and performance Nitto NT-01 and Toyo 888 are available in the proper sizes but due to the softer "R" compounds will not be a long lived (I get ~5,000 out of a set of NT-01).

Jeff

Thanks to everyone’s reply, sounds like “get what you can get”. Just make sure they are black and round.

[edwardb]

Thanks to everyone’s reply, sounds like “get what you can get”. Just make sure they are black and round.

Hopefully you got a little more out of this thread (and others like it...) than that. Tires are an important decision and should match your planned use for the car.

[GoDadGo]

Thanks to everyone’s reply, sounds like “get what you can get”. Just make sure they are black and round.

Determine what the use of the car will be and purchase the tire that best meets your needs.

I'm running Nitto 555's and they are a good street tire; however, if I were going to auto cross the car, I'd get an extra set of wheels and run Nitto NT01's.

Remember that your life and the life of your passenger depends on the choice you make so choose wisely.

[Papa]

Very happy with Michellin Pilot Sports. They ride nice, look good, and were one of the few tires that have a real tread wear warranty.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115112&d=1569708513

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115113&d=1569708524

[toadster]

I went with the Yokohama Advan A052 https://cobradreams.com/2020/02/07/tires-meet-wheels/

https://i1.wp.com/cobradreams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_9449.jpg?w=710&ssl=1


other popular ones...
Nitto NT01 (https://amzn.to/37CBj3u)
TOYO Proxes R8R (https://amzn.to/3288WJe)
Pirelli PZero Rosso Asimmetrico (https://amzn.to/327qUM8)
Toyo Proxes R888 (https://amzn.to/2V5aNgx)
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
(https://amzn.to/2SHtiWL)

[CobraKan]

Hopefully you got a little more out of this thread (and others like it...) than that. Tires are an important decision and should match your planned use for the car.

What I was trying to get across is Tire Race has two tires that match you size Falken and Yokohama. Therefore variety is not extensive.

[Papa]

What I was trying to get across is Tire Race has two tires that match you size Falken and Yokohama. Therefore variety is not extensive.

I'm not sure what Tire Race is, but if its a tire store, have you looked at other stores? Discount Tire (America's Tire in CA) can get virtually any tire made whether they carry it in the store or not. I agree selections of matching tires in these sizes is limited, but not to two options for sure.

[BadAsp427]

Very happy with Michellin Pilot Sports. They ride nice, look good, and were one of the few tires that have a real tread wear warranty.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115112&d=1569708513

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115113&d=1569708524

These are exactly what I have on mine... I'm just under 10,000 miles and they look like new. I was just looking at them today and seriously, they look new. I'm very happy with them and I promise, I have not been easy on them. 99.9% street, but very enthusiastic street driving...

I got mine from Walmart.com
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Michelin-Pilot-Sport-PS2-315-30R18-98-Y-Tire/15103378
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Michelin-Pilot-Sport-PS2-Max-Performance-Tire-255-35ZR18-XL-94Y/4062292

[i.e.427]

I know that everyone likes to window shop at Tire Rack and Discount Tire online. But honestly my local tire shop, that I've dealt with for 25+ years, can always compete with the online outlets. They are always within a few dollars of the national online companies. I recently shopped online for a set of Nitto 555G2 tires for a Mark4 we're working on for a customer. Tucker Tires in Covina Ca (my tire guys) were 5 dollar total difference. I would have to take the tire and wheels there to have them mounted and balanced anyways. Just less hassle to have them do it all.

[Dennis]

Most (including me) will recommend what they chose. I went with BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 245/40ZR18 front, BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 315/30ZR18 rear. Just under 2,000 miles with them so far, and I like them a lot. Decent traction for a performance street tire. Smooth and quiet running. Like most you'll find though, not cheap. I would have preferred a 255 for the front, but they don't have that size. The 245's are pretty meaty though. Appear nearly identical to the 255 Nitto's I had on my previous build.

I ordered an MK IV kit at the end of February and am looking to buy wheels and tires. I want 315s on the back. I have found some 18x11 mag wheels I like at Performance Plus Tire. There are options for bolt pattern, backspace, and offset. The bolt pattern needs to match that of the FF hub. But I don't know what that is. I know what offset and backspace are, but I wonder if they matter for fit on an MK IV. Is there anything wrong with zero offset and backspace?

[edwardb]

I ordered an MK IV kit at the end of February and am looking to buy wheels and tires. I want 315s on the back. I have found some 18x11 mag wheels I like at Performance Plus Tire. There are options for bolt pattern, backspace, and offset. The bolt pattern needs to match that of the FF hub. But I don't know what that is. I know what offset and backspace are, but I wonder if they matter for fit on an MK IV. Is there anything wrong with zero offset and backspace?

Offset and backspace are hugely important. For the 315 rears especially, the tires just fit between the coilovers on the inside and the wheel well arches on the outside. Strongly suggest the same specs Factory Five has if you're not going to use their wheels. https://www.factoryfiveparts.com/15812-18-halibrand-style-replica-wheels/.

[Papa]

Bolt pattern is 5x4.5". You will want the same backspace/offset. The fit is very tight on both the front and rear sides of the FFR wheels, so not much room to play with for a good fit. Also the spokes may not clear the brake calipers for all styles of wheels.

[Railroad]

Just a suggestion, wait on buying tires. If I read your post right, you do not have the car yet?
You might finish the car in 6 months or 6 years. No need in the tires sitting and getting hard and degrading.
JMO

[Dennis]

Thanks everyone for the help. That is exactly what I needed to know. My kit is supposed to be ready to ship in early May.

[Dennis]

The company making the wheel I have picked (American Racing) does not make a 18x9 rim. It makes an 18x8 and an 18x9.5. The front tire recommended by FFR is a 255/35. The man at American Racing said that tire would fit on with the 8 or the 9.5. Is there a good reason for picking one over the other? He also said that if I bought the 9.5" I would want to change the backspace from 6 to 6.25. Does all this sound right to you guys?