[RabidSTi]

In case you were wondering, (I've searched and didn't find on this board) it looks like the 265/35/18 rt615 will be available march 24th, 2006 per Vulcan Tire. I imagine this date is subject to change but that is what they are saying for the moment.

I am looking to put this tire on some 18x8.5 +48 fn01r-c I have coming. I will be fully rolling the rear fender (on an 04) and may need to roll the front too. There is not much you can roll in the front and the fender liner could be an issue. And I don't think I will need to touch it anyways.

I would consider a 255/35, but there just doesn't seem to be the selection of tire options in that size. Neither the rt615 comes in that size nor the kuhmo Ecsta MX, my second choice tire.

My inspiration is JDM_addict. 265/35/18 on TEIN S-Tech
His offset is a little smaller (45) but he is running more agressive camber settings to match.

Eventually I will lower with 05 spec gf210s. It looks like these springs should be called sti spec since they are a better match than the 04 spec ones which are also used on the wrx. Several people running the 05 version on an 04 with no problems.

Edit: I don't auto-x, rarely drag race, and the local track was shut down, so the purpose of this rim tire combo is pretty much all street/looks hence the 18s. (17s are the way to go for track/auto-x) The 265/35 is partly for looks, and it is only a hair above the stock rolling diameter. (should help adjust the speedo just a bit) With this width of rim, the skinniest I would go is a 245, but then it seems like most 245s are a 40 series tire and then you are much bigger than stock diameter.

[aspensti05]

Originally Posted by RabidSTi

Edit: I don't auto-x, rarely drag race, and the local track was shut down, so the purpose of this rim tire combo is pretty much all street/looks hence the 18s.

I've just got to ask, if you don't do any performance driving, why do you need such a sticky and wide street tire when you will never use it to the fullest. It will just create more friction(lower mpg), tire noise and wear out faster.

Just wondering is all.

[TreyS]

Durr! Because it "looks cool".

Oh and I called Falken yesterday and they already have the tires at their Cali warehouse. Vulcan should be able to get them from that warehouse. The TN warehouse doesn't have the new tires yet tho.

[VSGTS14]

too wide imo for just street/looks...you'll never use the full potential and it's probably going to be heavy.

[RacerXS]

265's, I will bet, will be too wide even with rolled fenders. They will look cool though.

[RabidSTi]

Originally Posted by aspensti05

I've just got to ask, if you don't do any performance driving, why do you need such a sticky and wide street tire when you will never use it to the fullest. It will just create more friction(lower mpg), tire noise and wear out faster.

Just wondering is all.

It looks like some people with an 8.5" rim who go with a smaller tire end up damaging their rim more (paint chips off from rocks hitting it, some people curb them). I don't curb my wheels, stockers still have no damage, but having a little bit of protection is always nice.

I don't want to lose too much performance from the stock tires, and everyone seems to rave about the rt615. Sadly the first 35 series tires is the 265 (for the rt615). I would prefer 255/35 or possibly 245/35, but your options are limited on that size, and I would have to roll the fenders anyways. I figure if I am going to roll the fenders I might as well roll them all the way.

I thought about going with the T1R, and several people swapped those for falkens. With a marginal difference in price, why not go with the grippy one.

Road noise is not a factor, I run the 3.5" aps tbe. Eventually I will upgrade the turbo.

[RabidSTi]

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

too wide imo for just street/looks...you'll never use the full potential and it's probably going to be heavy.

I think it will actually be lighter than both the 255/40/18 and the 245/40/18 rt615 since it is is a 35 series, but still a heavy tire.


To all,

I am sensing this may be a bad move on my part. And since I haven't made a purchase yet, I am very open to suggestions. My size preferences are 255/35 (perfect match to stock diameter), 265/35, 245/35 and possibly even 245/40 (in that order). I would like to keep at least stock performance, and I may try some track driving/auto-x, but that is not the main purpose of the car. I have purchased 18x8.5 wheels, so that is set firm. Priorities are grip, wheel protection, price (the $220/tire rt615 265s are the upper limit), looks, and drivability (in that order, no concern for noise level)

Thanks for you input and for not flaming me.

[Scoobyless]

falkens are known to run a bit wide and I'm not even sure if they will reccomend having a 265 on a 8.5" wheel. Right now I'm running 255/35-18 dunlop super sport race tires on my advan 18x8.5" wheels and they're wide. If i remember correctly JDM Addict is running a 265 but it's not a really wide one, I believe my 255's are actually wider. I looked for specs on the 265 wide falkens but haven't been able to get any yet, do you know what falken reccomends yet?

[VSGTS14]

why not just get 17's and get 255/40...17s STILL look great.

[RabidSTi]

Decided on 245/40/18. Once rears are rolled, I should have no rubbing. It will be slightly bigger for better fuel economy, and corrected speedo. And I am getting them for $158 mounted and balanced a tire from the local discount tire. (gotta love price matching)

will post pics when everything arrives.

And eventually I want a set of dedicated track 17s with a 255/40 tire. (like RA-1 or something)

Thanks for the help guys.

[polyol]

The fender wont be the problem in the rear....it will be the strut...

[JDM_addict]

RabidSTi,

I am glad I am your inspiration

[JDM_addict]

Originally Posted by RabidSTi

Decided on 245/40/18. Once rears are rolled, I should have no rubbing. It will be slightly bigger for better fuel economy, and corrected speedo. And I am getting them for $158 mounted and balanced a tire from the local discount tire. (gotta love price matching)

will post pics when everything arrives.

And eventually I want a set of dedicated track 17s with a 255/40 tire. (like RA-1 or something)

Thanks for the help guys.

245/40/18 is VERY tall, you might rub on the front fender liner....depends on your drop. Hope it works out good for you.

265/35/18 is the perfect size for the STi in my opinion, it is actually slightly shorter then the stock tire size from the S203/S204's 235/40/18, which has the exact same chassis and body

[JDM_addict]

Originally Posted by aspensti05

I've just got to ask, if you don't do any performance driving, why do you need such a sticky and wide street tire when you will never use it to the fullest. It will just create more friction(lower mpg), tire noise and wear out faster.

Just wondering is all.

Width of a tire can effect how fast it wear out?

[JDM_addict]

Originally Posted by VSGTS14

too wide imo for just street/looks...you'll never use the full potential and it's probably going to be heavy.

heavier, yes. But traction is like horsepower and money, there is no such thing as enough