MACS

iTrader: (3)

I have the different sized tires front and back. My question to you that have the sport pkg and have needed tires already... do they wear out quick since you can't rotate? How much faster do the fronts need replacing?

When it is time to buy tires would you:

A: Stay with mismatched sizes front/back
B: Get new wheels so all sizes match and you can rotate 'em
C: Other (explain)

Thanks for the input/thoughts/comments/smart-**** remarks.

jran76

iTrader: (2)

The rears should wear out faster than the fronts. Results will vary based on the type of tires and alignment. I get 25%+ more out of the fronts usually. If you are at stock height and alignment, it will probably be less of a difference (I have been lowered since day 1).

A. This is easy. If you like the stock wheels, go for it....
B. Some people do this, and it won't hurt anything. Most people prefer the look of staggered wheels, but it does not make much difference performance wise (maybe if you are drag racing)....

I think it really just comes down to if you want to rotate your wheels, or if you prefer the staggered look. I ran a square setup on my G35, and it did help save my tires quite a bit (at least 3-4k extra miles over what I am getting out of tires on my G37). I actually did it more for performance reasons (a little less understeer), but after driving both setups extensively over the past 6 years, I don't think it really matters.

MACS

iTrader: (3)

It is my understanding that the fronts would wear faster because they're the "turning" wheels and get more abuse with hard cornering.

I've never had mismatched sizes before so I really don't know. I like the look of the stock wheels, but just hate that I can't rotate. I was going through tires at 23-29k miles with the 04 G35, but I was rotating them. Crap tread life with goodyear, better with Yokohama. I'm cool if the tires are gonna last me 25-30k without rotating, but I doubt that.

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

Coupe or sedan?

MACS

iTrader: (3)

Sedan. I have 18's on it now. 225/50/18 front and 245/45/18 rear, I believe. I always bought summer tires for my '04, will be doing the same for the '11.

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

You could run the 245/45-18 all around so they can be rotated if you want. The rears will wear a bit quicker than the fronts if staggered due to rotation limitations and rear suspension alignments. It's not uncommon for people to run the 245's all around. Good selection of tires to choose from in that also.

MACS

iTrader: (3)

Let me see if I am understanding you...

I can merely change the fronts to the same size as the back without getting different rims? They're the same width?

Apologies, I had 215/55/17's on the last one, front and back. Never had staggered before, so I am a bit ignorant on the subject.

BTW - big fan of tirerack. Got Avon's from you guys then switched to the Yokohama S Drives. Excellent service.

Neal@tirerack

iTrader: (2)

Correct. Front wheels are 18x7.5's, rears 18x8.5's. The 245 tire size will fit wheels which are 7.5-9.0" wide which falls into both wheel widths.

MACS

iTrader: (3)

Thank you for the info, Neal. 7.5 inches in the front and 8.5 inches in the back is not the same width, though. I may be able to use the same profile tires, but I'm not going to put thinner width tires in the back.

Worse case scenario, since I like the stock wheels, is buy another set of the rear ones so I can rotate.