I needed tires all around and was dreading spending the money for new potenzas. I found four pratically new Bridgestone Potenza 245/40/19 's at the local flea market for a very expensive $20 each. I couldnt believe it, no plugs, nails, or rips and they have 90% tread left! So I bought all of them. I know they will work on the back because they are factory replacements for the back but I really need front tires.

I have found a calculator online that says the 225/40/19 is 8.9" wide, while the 245/40/19 is 9.6". So the new tires would be a little over half of an inch wider. Will these tires fit on the front wheel? Will there be enough clearance? Are there any disadvantages or advantages to running these tires on the front? Any input would be great! Thanks guys.

Mark

 

Well, They fit. Looks meaty on the front wheels. Handles just as good, but I haven't had a chance to hit the country roads around here yet. There is a little more road noise, but they are slightly used tires. I will update when more is known.

Mark

05 6MT

 

The longer I post here, the more I don't understand why people buy a $40K Sports Coupe, and then try to skrimp on tires Makes absolutely no sense to me. What you gave done is kill the stagger, VDC and TC should be acting up. The electronics wont like it, and the Coupe was built to understeer a little. With your set-up you could get into trouble. 245/35/19s in front would have been fine, lessen the understeer a bit, put a wider tire in front, and maintain the stagger.

Forgive the preaching, but by gosh, tires are probably the most important piece of safety equipment on the car, to go and skimp in this area, to me, is ludicrous. But that's just My Opinion.

Lou

 

Lou, he bought them for $80, I would have too for that price! At the worst he got two sets of rear tire replacements. He's just trying them out on his front wheels and looking for opinions.

You ARE messing with the VDC though, Cbrmark. If you're keeping these tires on your front rims, you should go wider in the rear to compensate.

 

Yeah, I just bought them cause they were only $80 bucks. Dont confuse me for a newb, the post said dreading spending the money on some new Potenzas, not kumhos. The roads I drive on are kinda rough and kill tires quickly.

What size should I go to for the back to compensate? I havent noticed any VDC problems. I am guessing that you guys are saying that the VDC is going to mess up because the sidewalls are now taller, resulting in a larger diameter tire.

 

If you are going 245 at the front you would have to go for at least 275 at the rear.