16" tire options
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 732
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From: OHIO
16" tire options What are you guys using for all-season 245-50zr-16 tires? I know most of you have upgraded the stock 16/17 wheels but there have to be some of you out there still with stock tires
This is just my opinion.....if you're using the OE 8" rims, or any 8" rims, for that matter, 8" is the MINIMUM rim width for that size tire, therefore you're compromising handling. The sidewalls are pulled in, somewhat, therefore allowing them to flex a lot, which diminishes cornering ability.
You might be better off with a 225/55/16 tire, which A) keeps the sidewalls "straighter" on the 8"rim, and B) gives you a greater selection of tires, and C) is the same OD as the 245/50. The 245/50s, at one time were a popular size, due to their use on the earlier Camaros and Firebirds, but as GM went away from them around 2000, the tire makers dropped that size from their line-up.
I've had the 245/50s, 225/55/16s, and 275/40/17s on my car, over the years. I don't race it, just some spirited street driving, and in all honesty, I couldn't tell the difference in cornering ability between the different sizes. As a side note, I just put a set of General G-MAX AS03s on my car, and so far, I like them.
You might be better off with a 225/55/16 tire, which A) keeps the sidewalls "straighter" on the 8"rim, and B) gives you a greater selection of tires, and C) is the same OD as the 245/50. The 245/50s, at one time were a popular size, due to their use on the earlier Camaros and Firebirds, but as GM went away from them around 2000, the tire makers dropped that size from their line-up.
I've had the 245/50s, 225/55/16s, and 275/40/17s on my car, over the years. I don't race it, just some spirited street driving, and in all honesty, I couldn't tell the difference in cornering ability between the different sizes. As a side note, I just put a set of General G-MAX AS03s on my car, and so far, I like them.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,914
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
BFG G-Force SS all-season on my all original 2001 T/A w/ 16" rims. They are a fine tire for everyday use. They ride well on the highway with minimal road noise and no tramlining. The handling is adequate (though not a summer tire) and no issues in the rain. I've had them for about 4,000 miles now. $650 'out the door' price (balancing, tax, everything).
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I've had the Riken Raptors and the BFG SS/AS. The Rikens are a really a warm weather tire; they're a good all-around compromise between ride, handling, and price, but they don't do well in very cold temps and snow.
The BFG SS/AS perform better in the cold but are not great in snow. They wear quickly, though, and when they are about 50% done, their performance degrades significantly.
Right now I'm running 16" General Altimax HP's on the front of my stalled A4 DD with Toyo DR's in the rear. They make for a comfortable ride and are good in the wet, but aren't so great in the curves. They're fine for the mostly straight line driving in KS, but I wouldn't use them in CA, because the sidewall is too soft for good cornering.
The BFG SS/AS perform better in the cold but are not great in snow. They wear quickly, though, and when they are about 50% done, their performance degrades significantly.
Right now I'm running 16" General Altimax HP's on the front of my stalled A4 DD with Toyo DR's in the rear. They make for a comfortable ride and are good in the wet, but aren't so great in the curves. They're fine for the mostly straight line driving in KS, but I wouldn't use them in CA, because the sidewall is too soft for good cornering.
