Which upgraded tires for the BRZ?

[pfaffendorn]

Well, I've never started a thread before, but I'm looking for comments and opinions from all youse guys on my question and I hope this is the right way to solicit them.

I have been a tire upgrader my whole life, buying slightly wider and taller rubber for each car I've owned. Now it's my daily driver BRZ whose OE rubber is wearing down to the point that I would be nervous facing the rainy/snowy season without new shoes on him to be sure he goes where I point him. While many of you scoff at the Primacies as "Prius tires," I'm certain the designers have chosen the 215/45 as the size that maximizes traction, handling, economy, etc.

Nonetheless, I have found in the past that moving from 195 to 225, for example, has a very nice effect on ride and other qualities, as long as they fit, and I've become adept at calculating in my head the difference between speedo and actual speed (we call that "bistro math" around here). I have enjoyed the Conti Extreme Contact DWS recently on my previous car, am looking for a Performance All Season tire, and would consider even the 245/40 some of you have used -- do you need spacers for that size, or what.



So, I'm sure there's lots of wisdom out there. Please fire away.

[swarb]

225/45 for good upsize that fits stock 7" width. 235/40 is a little too much width.
Tirerack.com for reviews, compare to the dws you had before. Read the width ranges for the wheel size.
No spacers needed.

[Silver Cervy]

First of all, look here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25177

You won't need spacers for 245's, but putting very wide tires on a car with as little power as the BRZ will just slow the car down.

Personally, I will be upgrading to 17x8 wheels and 225/40 PSS's. You want your tire to be stretched across the wheel and not be loose, but you also don't want it to be too tight or your ride quality will be harsh.

[bhmax]

Planning on staying with stock wheels? Most would say not to go wider than 225 for them. I'm actually on 205/45. I had DWS and Bridgestone RE970AS on another car. Enjoyed the Bstones much more in the corners due to I'm guessing stiffer sidewalls.

[Mr.ac]

First off, the "designers" chosing this tire is all corperate bs. It's all about who can provide enough tires for the lowest price. So get that idea out of your head forever.

a 245 tire on the stock wheels is too much. 225/45 would be your best beat for comfort and grip.

[n8dog11914]

Originally Posted by pfaffendorn

Well, I've never started a thread before, but I'm looking for comments and opinions from all youse guys on my question and I hope this is the right way to solicit them.

I have been a tire upgrader my whole life, buying slightly wider and taller rubber for each car I've owned. Now it's my daily driver BRZ whose OE rubber is wearing down to the point that I would be nervous facing the rainy/snowy season without new shoes on him to be sure he goes where I point him. While many of you scoff at the Primacies as "Prius tires," I'm certain the designers have chosen the 215/45 as the size that maximizes traction, handling, economy, etc.

Nonetheless, I have found in the past that moving from 195 to 225, for example, has a very nice effect on ride and other qualities, as long as they fit, and I've become adept at calculating in my head the difference between speedo and actual speed (we call that "bistro math" around here). I have enjoyed the Conti Extreme Contact DWS recently on my previous car, am looking for a Performance All Season tire, and would consider even the 245/40 some of you have used -- do you need spacers for that size, or what.



So, I'm sure there's lots of wisdom out there. Please fire away.

If you are looking for a nice Performance All-Season tire, take a hard look at the Conti ExtremeContact DWS06. The '06' is the new version which has much stiffer sidewalls but still maintains the good snow and wet traction that the DWS had. My wife has them on her car and loves them.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

First off, the "designers" chosing this tire is all corperate bs. It's all about who can provide enough tires for the lowest price. So get that idea out of your head forever.
.

AHHHH another conspiracy theorist. You are wrong. So very very wrong.
ALL parts of a car are speced very carefully to work together as a whole. Up to and including the stock tires. Price is only one small factor in the decision on what parts to use.
Hell the design team even explains why they went with the tires they did in the development story.

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

AHHHH another conspiracy theorist. You are wrong. So very very wrong.
ALL parts of a car are speced very carefully to work together as a whole. Up to and including the stock tires. Price is only one small factor in the decision on what parts to use.
Hell the design team even explains why they went with the tires they did in the development story.

Ha! Like wise sir.

If that was true about tires the factory would allow you to chose your own tires. But it's really not the case at all. Mitchelin won the contract to provid tires to Toyota because their price was a good one.

Maybe in the future Hankook tires will be OEM for the twins.
By the way Hankook tires won bids to be OEM tires for certain Merceds Benz, BMW, Ford and even Toyota. Wrap your head around that.

[lupindub]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Ha! Like wise sir.

If that was true about tires the factory would allow you to chose your own tires. But it's really not the case at all. Mitchelin won the contract to provid tires to Toyota because their price was a good one.

Maybe in the future Hankook tires will be OEM for the twins.
By the way Hankook tires won bids to be OEM tires for curtain Merceds Benz, BMW, Ford and even Toyota. Wrap your head around that.

Don't forget some of the twins got BridgeStone's as there OEM tires.

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by lupindub

Don't forget some of the twins got BridgeStone's as there OEM tires.

Yep, pretty much who ever wins the contract for that production year.

[jarnojvv]

Originally Posted by swarb

225/45 for good upsize that fits stock 7" width. 235/40 is a little too much width.
Tirerack.com for reviews, compare to the dws you had before. Read the width ranges for the wheel size.
No spacers needed.

+1

I have stock rims, changed from the std Primacy to Pilot Sport 3 in 225/45, great tyre, increased grip, BUT less steering feel is noticeable.

[jarnojvv]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Yep, pretty much who ever wins the contract for that production year.

Nope, climate based.

Also the OEM tire for the 16inch rims on some models were Yokohama.

[churchx]

jarnojvv: Pilot Sport 3 is completely different to PSS many mention. I heard that PS4 might be closer to PSS performance, but PS3 IIRC is of completely different rubber compound (wasn't it from exhalto line?) sharing similar model name just due marketing reasons. It may still have more grip then stock primacies due those being low rolling resistance eco tires, but i wouldn't expect wonders from PS3.

[jarnojvv]

Originally Posted by churchx

jarnojvv: Pilot Sport 3 is completely different to PSS many mention. I heard that PS4 might be closer to PSS performance, but PS3 IIRC is of completely different rubber compound (wasn't it from exhalto line?) sharing similar model name just due marketing reasons. It may still have more grip then stock primacies due those being low rolling resistance eco tires, but i wouldn't expect wonders from PS3.

Sure, but this was pre ps4, and pss doesn't come in std rim size. Grippiest tires available locally were conti5 or ps3...

FYI
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article...ss-Release.htm