255/55/18

16725 Views 40 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Northern Rider, Jul 22, 2005

toothdoc

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2005 (Edited)

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?

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Northern Rider

· #2 · Jul 1, 2005

toothdoc said:
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

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Northern Rider

· #4 · Jul 1, 2005

FOAMAVEN said:
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.

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Northern Rider

· #7 · Jul 2, 2005

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.

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Northern Rider

· #11 · Jul 5, 2005 (Edited)

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.

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Northern Rider

· #13 · Jul 5, 2005

watchout said:
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.

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Northern Rider

· #16 · Jul 6, 2005

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.

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Northern Rider

· #28 · Jul 11, 2005

I just installed the same size. The bolt clears okay. I was worried about knuckle clearance. I seems to be okay as well. Haven't done highspeed cornering and braking yet, but should have a report in a few days.

Here are some pics:

Fat Tires: BFGoodrich GForce T/A KDWS-2 255/55/18

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Northern Rider

· #33 · Jul 11, 2005

I would not put this tire on my car unless I was convinced there will be no problem. I run at max speeds and cornering gforces on the track.

The clearance is fine between the knuckle and the sidewall. I even ran the tire pressure up to 50 psi and it still had good clearance.

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Northern Rider

· #41 · Jul 22, 2005

Russ said:
Northern Rider said:

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

NR,

Did you install the BFG's? If so, how do you like them?

Thanks,

Russ

Click to expand...

Yep, sure did. Just love em.

Here's a thread: 300C with Fat Tires and Lip Spoiler

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