[toothdoc]

any body try 255/55/18 on the stock wheels any problems tread too wide? there are a lot more choices than 245/55. i am looking at nitto 420. is nitto a good brand, i have heard nothing on this brand good or bad?

 

[Northern Rider]

any body try 255/55/18 on the stock wheels any problems tread too wide? there are a lot more choices than 245/55. i am looking at nitto 420. is nitto a good brand, i have heard nothing on this brand good or bad?

After much research, I'm putting on 255/55/18 BFG GForce T/A KDW2's next week,

Here are some threads:

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90&highlight=255%2F55%2F18


http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7223&highlight=255%2F55%2F18

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5879&highlight=255%2F55%2F18

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5795&highlight=255%2F55%2F18

 

[FOAMAVEN]

Looks like a great tire, but what will you do for those cold winters up north? :wave:
I'm also looking for a wider replacement, but wanted an all season tire to avoiding two sets. Guess the BFG 245 may be the best bet for me.

 

[Northern Rider]

Looks like a great tire, but what will you do for those cold winters up north? :wave:
I'm also looking for a wider replacement, but wanted an all season tire to avoiding two sets. Guess the BFG 245 may be the best bet for me.

If you live in a climate that goes well below freezing for several weeks, you need winter tires.

I have Pirelli Scorpions for the winter. BFG make a an all season called KDWS which is quite good.

 

[FOAMAVEN]

If you live in a climate that goes well below freezing for several weeks, you need winter tires.

I have Pirelli Scorpions for the winter. BFG make a an all season called KDWS which is quite good.

Thanks for your help. I'll have to look into those. :notworthy

 

[toothdoc]

After much research, I'm putting on 255/55/18 BFG GForce T/A KDW2's next week,

Here are some threads:

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90&highlight=255%2F55%2F18


http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7223&highlight=255%2F55%2F18

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5879&highlight=255%2F55%2F18

http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5795&highlight=255%2F55%2F18

Thanks, I looked at those before i posted but he put them on custom rims I was unsure of new rim size he used. the 255 looked quite a bit wider than stock 225

 

[Northern Rider]

The Nitto 420 is a good tire and the 255 width is more in keeping with the performance and handling of the 300C.

255 is about the maximum width you can go on the OEM 18" rim.

 

[Vanillapimp300c]

hey i have those bfg kdw 2 they fit perfect if you guys want pictures email me i will send you some. 255/55/18 [email protected]

 

[Russ]

After much research, I'm putting on 255/55/18 BFG GForce T/A KDW2's next week,

NR,

I'm also considering replacing the Conti's with the 255/55/18, and very much respect your opinion.

Just wondering if you included the Toyo Proxes in your research. I've never heard any mention (good or bad) of those as suitable replacements.

Thanks,

Russ

 

[LWOOD]

Since I am not sold on the BFG's (although I hear they are pretty good) I really like Toyo Proxes tires, having owned several sets for multiple cars. Unfortunately, in 255/55 they are only in the S/T series which is a light truck style. It's pretty aggressive and one of forum members runs them. I PM'd him to see what his impressions are. I may go this route. As far as Toyo tores go, if they made a Proxes TPT in a sie we could use it would be no contest. They wear well, are pretty quiet have reasonable turn in and grip in corners and go like stink in the wet or light snow. I have had them on rear and front drive, stick and automatic cars. So, there's your unsolicited testimonial on Toyo Tires!

 

[Northern Rider]

Thanks, LWOOD. I have no first hand info with Toyo. I know quite a few who run Proxes and are very satisfied with them as a performance tire.

I'd like to add one more comment: All of the major manufacturers make good tires, even Continental. They all make a range of tires from OEM to SUV, multi-purpose to high performance summer.

Certain tires seem to suit certain cars. A particular Michelin may be excellent on a Nissan 350Z while a particular BFG might be just the ticket for the 300C.

The Continental OEM is a SUV truck tire that suits the old Mercedes M class SUV's. It doesn't work well on the 300C but there were few choices when the car was launched last year.

 

[watchout]

Wouldn't the BFG 245/55/18's be a closer to original diameter than the 255/55/18's? I thought the original Conti's were 28.6. However, the specs on TireRack show 28, the BFG 245/55/18's are 28.5 and the 255/55/18 are 29.

I realize that's not a hugh difference, but wouldn't it be noticeable off-the-line?

 

[Northern Rider]

Wouldn't the BFG 245/55/18's be a closer to original diameter than the 255/55/18's? I thought the original Conti's were 28.6. However, the specs on TireRack show 28, the BFG 245/55/18's are 28.5 and the 255/55/18 are 29.

I realize that's not a hugh difference, but wouldn't it be noticeable off-the-line?

You are absolutely right. the 45 is a very close match.

I want more contact patch width (higher cornering adhesion) for road circuit driving, so I am mounting 55's later this week.

 

[Russ]

Since I am not sold on the BFG's (although I hear they are pretty good) I really like Toyo Proxes tires, having owned several sets for multiple cars. Unfortunately, in 255/55 they are only in the S/T series which is a light truck style. It's pretty aggressive and one of forum members runs them. I PM'd him to see what his impressions are. I may go this route. As far as Toyo tores go, if they made a Proxes TPT in a sie we could use it would be no contest. They wear well, are pretty quiet have reasonable turn in and grip in corners and go like stink in the wet or light snow. I have had them on rear and front drive, stick and automatic cars. So, there's your unsolicited testimonial on Toyo Tires!

Thanks much LWOOD

 

[LWOOD]

My Proxes S/T are on order and will be installed on Friday. I am like NR, I wanted a wider patch. The 225/60/18 are skimpy on a car this heavy. I think that is one of the reasons the shoulders are worn so badly...I'm sure it has nothing to do with my driving habits...
With respect to the question of fitment I have some facts and opinions.
The 255/55/18 will equate to a 1.460% decrease in reported speed based on the tire calculator at 1010tires.com . So 60 mph (actual) will show as approximately 59.1 (indicated) Not a big difference. Also, keep in mind for every 100 miles you drive, 1.460 of them will be "free" because your odometer will err to the slower side as well. Woo Hoo! these things will pay for themselves in higher resale over the next 3000 years!
Now for the opinion part.
A 255/55 is about the fattest tire you're gonna get on our skimpy 7.5 inch rims. So the sidewall will stand more proud from the rim. So, when Missus LWOOD drives the car (literally over my, or dragging my dead body) she won't hit my rims against the curb on that 34th attempt at parallel parking a car with a 10 foot wheelbase thereby increasing the interval of having the factory replacing my rims to 6 full weeks!
See, everyody wins. Look for my review on the Toyo Proxes S/T 255/55/18 this weekend.

 

[Northern Rider]

It's possible for the service department to reprogram your computer to the new wheel diameter on 18" rims.

I think you just need to give them the revolutions per mile which you can get off tech detail on your chosen tire at tirerack.com.

 

[toothdoc]

got em mounted tonight, nitto 420s. 255/55/18. they fill out the wheel well better. they will protect rim from damage due to wider width :banana: .

 

[Russ]

NR, LWOOD, & toothdoc,

Please post feedback on the BFG's, Nitro's & Toyo's after you've run them a bit.

I've looked at the customer reviews on several tire sites, but have never seen comments from a 300C owner.

Thanks in advance.....

 

[joey]

Anyone know how much the 255/55/18's weight, vs. the 225/60/18?
Just curious how much more unsprung weight we would be adding.

 

[LWOOD]

according to the Toyo site, the tires weight 34 #. That is the biggest downside I can see is they are about 4 # heavier per tire. They are being installed as we speak, so I'll write a little ditty tomorrow.