Help me pick out tires with the right amount of "stretch"! - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

irocz0r · 03-05-2020, 02:24 PM

Hey guys, my tires fit perfectly, but they stopped making the exact same ones.

Here's how they fit, with just the right amount of stretch. The sidewall angles inwards, so they don't rub on the fender!

What's interesting is that the tire size isn't really a "stretched" tire size... these tires just run a bit narrow.

They're Nankang NS-20's, in 255/35/18. The wheels are 18x9.5" Rota Grids.

Now, a 255/35 on an 18x9.5 is not a "stretch"... but these tires ran narrow! I had one tire replaced with a different brand also in 255/35 (had to go with what they had in stock), and it rubbed like hell! The sidewall didn't angle inward, it "fit" more to size, with a more vertical sidewall... and it rubbed badly!!

Now, I need to choose new tires, and the sidewall MUST angle inwards to avoid rubbing.

I liked the Nankang NS-20's because they were cheap and ran narrow, they fit perfectly. This model has been replaced by the Nankang NS-25, and I don't know if they fit the same.

I've heard Falkens also run narrow, but that is just based on a random internet comment.

I can't buy 255/35/18s in a different tire and have them rub, like I have experienced before with tires of the same size!

Maybe I should buy 245/35/18s to ensure they run a bit narrow, stretch a bit, and have the sidewall angle inwards?

Advice please

ZDan · 03-05-2020, 02:29 PM

Yeah, I'd go 245/35-18. That will help on two fronts: narrower of course, but also slightly shorter. And a good fit on 9.5" wheels.

Leonardo · 03-05-2020, 02:39 PM

Tirerack.com has tread widths listed for each tire they sell. This information helped me decide which tire to buy.

SuperTom · 03-05-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardo

Tirerack.com has tread widths listed for each tire they sell. This information helped me decide which tire to buy.

Right you should be able to go to the current manufactures site and find out the tread width. Then pick a tire with close enough tread width. Either 245 or 255. You will lose a lil bit of sidewall height on the 245

Summerwolf · 03-05-2020, 04:26 PM

Nittos always tend to run narrow. So check the width of those on tirerack or step on down to a 245.

03-05-2020, 02:24 PM	#1
irocz0r Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: '88 E30 325i, 2015 FR-S Location: Houston Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Help me pick out tires with the right amount of "stretch"! Hey guys, my tires fit perfectly, but they stopped making the exact same ones. Here's how they fit, with just the right amount of stretch. The sidewall angles inwards, so they don't rub on the fender! What's interesting is that the tire size isn't really a "stretched" tire size... these tires just run a bit narrow. They're Nankang NS-20's, in 255/35/18. The wheels are 18x9.5" Rota Grids. Now, a 255/35 on an 18x9.5 is not a "stretch"... but these tires ran narrow! I had one tire replaced with a different brand also in 255/35 (had to go with what they had in stock), and it rubbed like hell! The sidewall didn't angle inward, it "fit" more to size, with a more vertical sidewall... and it rubbed badly!! Now, I need to choose new tires, and the sidewall MUST angle inwards to avoid rubbing. I liked the Nankang NS-20's because they were cheap and ran narrow, they fit perfectly. This model has been replaced by the Nankang NS-25, and I don't know if they fit the same. I've heard Falkens also run narrow, but that is just based on a random internet comment. I can't buy 255/35/18s in a different tire and have them rub, like I have experienced before with tires of the same size! Maybe I should buy 245/35/18s to ensure they run a bit narrow, stretch a bit, and have the sidewall angle inwards? Advice please __________________

03-05-2020, 02:39 PM	#3
Leonardo Country Boy 4 Life Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 19' & 06' Ridgelines, 13' FR-S Location: EUGENE Posts: 5,228 Thanks: 6,719 Thanked 5,291 Times in 2,720 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Tirerack.com has tread widths listed for each tire they sell. This information helped me decide which tire to buy. __________________ I LIKE TIRES!

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03-05-2020, 02:29 PM	#2
ZDan Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Drives: '23 BRZ Location: Providence, RI Posts: 4,584 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,891 Times in 2,032 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yeah, I'd go 245/35-18. That will help on two fronts: narrower of course, but also slightly shorter. And a good fit on 9.5" wheels.

03-05-2020, 04:26 PM	#5
Summerwolf Panda Trueno Join Date: Jan 2015 Drives: No twin now. Location: North Indiana Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 2,113 Thanked 2,407 Times in 1,332 Posts Mentioned: 17 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Nittos always tend to run narrow. So check the width of those on tirerack or step on down to a 245.

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