Almost time for new tires and I was checking out what tires are available for the G.

On Tirerack, it seemsl ike Continental Extreme Contact DW doesn't have 225/50/18 for G35S front 18" sports rim?

The closest they have is 225/45/18 (or 235/40/18) ... Is 225/50/18 an odd size?

I am also thinking about the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position since it has pretty good review and its on special now.

My question is how would it affect the car to run 225/45/18 in the front? Or I should just go with Potenza S-04 for the right size front?

Thanks

 

I did some calculation and seems like the overall diameter is not a great match for 225/45/18, even the 235/45/18 is a better match. in fact the 245/45/18 seems to be the best match ... if my calculation is right .. LOL

 

YES, ( oh god yes! ) That 225/50 is and has always been a royal PITA. It's gotten a little better over the last few years, but it's still not fun. I've tried running a 235/50 in front, but to compensate I also bumped up the rears to a 255/45. As far as the traction control system went, it was completely happy with that combo, but I ultimately decided against doing again on my next (current) set because it seemed to promote advanced treadwear in the center of the rears due to the slight 'pinching' of the 255 width onto the stock rear Sport rims. I decided to just go with the stock staggered sizes again with the PSS tires this last time around, and I could not be happier; LOVE these tires! Hands down, THE best tires I've ever had on this car.

AS far as the S-04's go, I can't say since I've never used them, but I will say that you really SHOULD NOT mix tire make&model between the front and rear. (If this was some winter snow tires or a farm truck, then sure, but not with summer tires on your G)
'
If you run the 245/45 size in the front, you can expect a bit more 'turn-in" and very likely a bit more 'over-steer as well. However, unless you run a wider wheel in the front, those 245/45's are a tad too wide for proper fitment on the narrower front Sport wheels, so you will likely lose some handling acuity as well as proper treadwear.

.02

 

Tire company's are weird. I recently bought a set of PSS's as well for my rear (pun definitely intended) and wanted to get a pair for the front because I agree with vq above, they are the best tires I have ever owned. But I wanted 235/45/18 and they don't make the PSS in that size. So I went with the Bridgestone Potenza RE 760's and am very happy with them as well. They seem to be 90% of the tire the Michelin's are and were ~ $70/tire cheaper.

 

I've been hearing all kind of great things about the new BF Goodrich G-Force Sport-2 tire (in the Miata community, where sticky is cherished as much as economy!). It would be really interesting to see how a set of those would work. They do come in the OEM Sport sizing and they're only $600 for a set at TR.