Okay, I went to take the Stang to the shop to repair the damage from a couple months ago....and guess what? I lost ANOTHER tire...this time the front one. I am now beginning to think I had defective tires. No sharp object punctured either tire. The tires had Nitrogen in them so no tire pressure fluxuation. But two tires have gone flat on me.
Here is my question. I recenty replaced the rear tires with 275/35ZR20..love the look. The fronts are currently 245/40ZR20. I now need to replace my front tires. Now if I keep them staggered with 255/35ZR20 (can not find a matching set for 255/40ZR20), there will be a 1/2 inch difference in tires from front to rear (rear being the larger). Is that half inch going to make a signifcant difference in handling or performance. Should I just spend more money to get matching 275/35ZR20's?
So here are my options for getting two new front tires:
1) 245/40ZR20....$300 for the two....staggered look & narrower footprint but similar overall diameter to rear
2) 255/35ZR20....$300 for the two...still staggered & slighty narrow footprint, but 1/2" smaller in diameter than rear
3) 275/35ZR20....$500 for the two...not staggered, same foot print and diameter....but more expesnive
Any advice, ideas, suggestions?
Last edited by mrvandermey; 01-21-2008 at 12:11 PM.
I would spend the money to get all matching yet this is just my opinion. If you plan on driving the car as an everyday car you can rotate the tires. Now if the look is what you want then go the other way.
__________________
Airraid CAI/BAMA tune,moto blue pullies,3:73`s,LPW girdle;Powerhouse DS,CHE safety loop,CHE LCA`S & Adjustable UCA,Kooks LT`S & O/R X Pipe,prothane MM`s,Steeda CMDP`S,Eibach springs,Tokico D specs,Polished TB(by Me),Steeda radiator support,MT DR`S,Zex kit 100 shot. Taylor Relocation batter kit and cut off switch
11:933 ET, 1.674 60`,111.877 MPH 5600 feet above sea level 6900 D/A
well we all know my car is not a daily driver. So rotating tires is not that improtant to me..I am just concerned about the 1/2 inch difference in overall diameter.
Well since this was the first time in history I did not get any real assistance from AFM, I made a gamble and shose the 255/35ZR20...I grant they are approx. 1/2 inch smaller in overall diameter from the rear tires, but the overall diameter is still at 27 inches which is what the stock wheels/tires...so my speedometer calibration should still be good.
The 275/35ZR20 will fit on the front, and should not have any clearance issues....Saleen and Shelby use 275's on the fronts.
Well since this was the first time in history I did not get any real assistance from AFM, I made a gamble and shose the 255/35ZR20...I grant they are approx. 1/2 inch smaller in overall diameter from the rear tires, but the overall diameter is still at 27 inches which is what the stock wheels/tires...so my speedometer calibration should still be good.
The 275/35ZR20 will fit on the front, and should not have any clearance issues....Saleen and Shelby use 275's on the fronts.
Seems like a good move, not sure if 275s would fit on front. Also, I think a half inch higher in back is better than a half inch shorter.
I would assume speedo goes off back tires -- do you know if this is true?
__________________
2006 Redfire GT Vert Auto, every factory option, 490rwhp JDM Saleen SC, One piece driveshaft, Steeda ultralight springs - rear adjustable UCA and LCAs, CHE relo brackets, Granelli front cross-member, Intrax sway bars, Tokico dampers, Hawk brake pads, Shelby Redline wheels and Nitto tires, GT500 exhaust, FRPP 3.73's, Pioneer AVIC-D3 navigation head unit, and Saleen HID headlights. See profile for appearance mods
2005 Mustang GT tire question 
