Ok, so..

Question 1: 255/40/ZR17's will fit fine on a 17/9 wheel right?

Question 2: How do you feel about mixxing tire brands? I kind of want to put a better quality tire on my car, at least the front and I have found these that look pretty good, but basically I can't find any rear tires in the 285-305 size other than freakin' Sumi's. I'm worried that mixxing one brand on the front and another on the rear may look funny, what do you think?

 

I have 255/40/ZR17's on 17x9 wheels and they fit fine. Most people will recommend a 275 though.

I don't know if mixing and matching would have any drawbacks but it probably would look funny. There may be some difference between the front and rear traction that is more noticeable in wet weather from different tread designs. Tire wear would be different from the front to rear. The only tires that I know are available as matching sets would be: Nitto 555's (I have them and love them), Nitto NT05, Goodyear eagle F1 DS-G3 (heard they are great but expensive) and Sumi's HTR Z series. I think there are a few other options if you want to go with a DR on the back such as Nitto 555r's or BFGoodrich GForce T/A's.

 

I would also recommend 275...

My buddy has 275's and they offer a little bit of a curb-guard just in case.

As for the mix-and-match, personally I don't see a problem with it other than visually if you are a really picky person...

 

If your already running a larger rear tire, then your grip levels are going to be different to begin with, so there is no real reason to run the same kind of tire front to rear. Now I would never recommend running a different size or kind or tire from side to side, but what dummy would do that? Just find some tires that you like and get'em. I am probably going to tear up my front tires at my next track day in September and am planning on getting some 275 Nitto NT-05s and still run my 295 Sumitomo ZIIIs in the back.

 

For what it's worth I have never had a problem with Sumitomos. Obviously they aren't Goodyears and you should never expect them to be, but I got great value out of several sets that I have owned over the years.

Of course if you have tried them already and have another reason for not liking them that is fine, but I don't think that all the bashing the Sumi's get is warranted...

-X

 

255 will fit, but it will look funny. dont mix and match tires on the same axle.

 

lol good call, although I would think that wouldn't need to be said...

Never know though, I've seen it done...

 

That's a big Duurrrr Dave, c'mon man... You know me better than that.. lol

So you really think 255's would be too small for the 17/9?...

****, I'm starting to get the feeling that I'm going to have to get Sumi's again. DAMNIT!

I really wish someone made a decent looking & performing tire in a 295 or a 315 that didn't cost an arm & a leg..

 

Here are some pics of the 255 on a 9" wide rim https://mustangboards.com/pictures/3...fter-wash.html If you want any other pics of different angles let me know. I really don't think there is anything wrong with them and have no regrets on getting the smaller tire.

 

That doesn't look bad at all to me... Can you get a couple a little closer, maybe from the side and also from the lip of the rim. Thanks man. I just really hat the way that 275's follow every single stinking crack/ bump in the road, it really annoys me.

 

I can get you a bunch with several different angles tomorrow.

 

yeah that looks pretty good. doesnt look funny at all. another brand of 255 width might be skinnier than what you've got. ive seen some funny looking wheel tire combos with a 255s on 9'' rims though.

 

That is very true. I think it depends alot on the sidewall.

 

I PM'd the pics to you.

 

You know I have my stock 245's on my 17x9 FR500 rims now and yeah I can see a little where it doesnt hug the rim like a 255 would but other than that I have had no problems with them, they are the stock Goodyears that come with the car. Now when I do have to replace them I will probably get 255's for them.

 

there are several other options of tires for the rear other than sumi's htr z's but you just have to spend some $$$ for it.

 

on a 17x9 275 is the only way to go imo

 

I've had 275s in front with sumi and then BFG g-force sports. I just recently had to get two new tires and I went to 255 this time and they don't really look any different to me than the 275 did. I actually like em better. They don't seem to follow every single groove in the road like the 275s did. I say go for it, it'll fit fine and still look good. Mix and matching is fine too. I have sumis out back and BFG g-force sports up front.

 

The Nitto 555's has both sizes you need,
255/40zr17 & 285/40zr17

 

I had 245's on a 9" rim before. I actually liked how it looked better than the 275's. It made the wheel more noticeable lol.

 

I've had a possible change in plans... We'll have to see what happens. I'll update that when I can.

 

Ok, so I'm looking at a couple of options here...

Front Tires 255/40/ZR17's. 1-3 all have a tread wear rating of 400+ and all of them are AA Grip rated. And then you have the Sumitomo HRT Z III's, 300 tread wear rating, but they are cheaper by $6-22 depending on the tire. The Z III's are "Summer" tires and the other three are "All Season."

1. Goodyear Eagle GT

2. Yokahama AVID W4S

3. Kumho Ecsta ASX


Rears:

Pretty much stuck with the f'n Sumitomo HTR Z's because as far as I can tell there is no other tire out there that is made in a 315 or something comparable that isn't a Drag radial or pushing $300 a piece..

 

If your looking for all seasons go with Goodyear eagle f1 all season. best tire ive ever had.

 

You will get better traction and longer tire life out of a 315/35/17 Nitto Drag radial then you will the Sumi's. Its hilarious, but its true. I get anywhere from 13k-16k on my nitto drags depending on how many times I went to the track and smoked them, etc.. Your car isn't a daily driver anyhow, right. I would rock a 255 up front too because I don't want all that extra rolling weight if I don't need it. And then just get the Nitto Drags for out back.

Kind of the reason why I never got deep dish wheels on my car. I would rather not have the extra weight on it.

 

the stock 17x8 bullits weigh more than a 17x10.5 DD FR500 rim.

 

I don't think I can make myself spend an extra $140 for a few more miles out of the tires.. Plus I have Drag radials for the track, I don't really know the point of having DR's for normal use.. How are they in the rain? I don't know, I guess I've still got some more thinking to do on it..

 

From what I've heard the nitto dr's aren't bad in the rain as long as you drive easy.. (aka drive like you have dr's in the rain)

 

See that definition to me is this: Don't drive in the rain with DR's. I have Hoosier DR's and if you drive on them in the rain.... For lack of a better term, you're fucked.

 

The Nitto 555R/555RII have more grooves than those hooisers, 2/5 wet performance and 5/5 dry (at least that's what Nitto is saying)

And I know a few people who have the 555R's on their daily driver, they say they drive it easy and take corners slow in the rain