Cool thanks I'll look into the Nitto's. I also have a set of 19s that came with the car. In this case, use the 18s more geared towards track (i.e. drive to) and the 19s for street I suppose?

I keep hearing how the 18s are better for this case - is it much of a difference than using 19s? I'm thinking it might be worth hanging onto them ironically for track duty if the 18 tire availability becomes extinct (vs selling the 19s and getting 2 sets of 18s)

I recently moved to the Seattle area, so rain is definitely something to consider.

 

Ya if you have 2 sets of split them. Run 245/35 and 295/30 on 19s with some good street tires then 18s for more track stuff. Nt01, r888, and rival s are all availbe in 18s.

 

r888's are so loud you'll think you have a bad wheel bearing. they "growl".

 

It's amazing how complicated the tires are for this car (primarily b/c of availability) - I've read through a ton of forms with answers all over the place.

NT01s seem to be the (only) way to go for 18s with some street driving. Btw I saw you were running 235s in the front - do you still run them? And I remember you not liking 19s - what was the biggest difference you noticed?

I inherited 19s when I bought the car, so it's all I know atm, but bought 18s after reading a lot - which in theory was a good idea until I found out you have to put tires on them :P (might have to just drive on nearby railroad tracks). I.e. is it a big deal to just stick with the 19s? Almost feel like I have to if I'm a 2/3s street 1/3 track'r.

 

if tracking? i'm sure you'll find 18's and a wider rear will better suit you over 19's?

my years ago issue with 19's is primarly that 19's often rub on a lowered 996t and though mostly only at hard lock. other than that? 19s are terrific!

also, the ride quality suffers noticeably, going from 18 to 19's, but then this from a guy with lowering springs on a mostly street driven car. so ride is harsh(er) regardless.

i run gt sizes, in both wheels and tires, as i "feel" it's best and most seem to agree. though i've run a 9' in front before, it plows a bit in twists. road course, better. but for sure, i'd ditch the 19's for any serious driving.

 

It's actually not that hard, there are plenty of tires available in 18"....what is your intended use? Commuting, curvy canyons, or ..???

I just swapped out stock size Falken FK453s after about 6-7K miles. Now running ADVAN NEOVA AD08 Rs in size 235/40/18 and 295/30/18.

check out the specs...820 and 831 revs per mile.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....N+Neova+AD08+R

 

Good question - shooting for a combo of street and track. For example the Michelin ps2s were great in my opinion. Thinking 245 and 315s definitely more of a canyon carver - I'm still new-ish on the track but looking to get some time in to improve.

@'02996ttx50 What brand are you using for your runs?

 

You may really like the Yokohamas then...much more aggressive tread & compound than PS2s. Unfortunately they are not available in 315s, only 295s. But given how they're measure out, you can run wider 235s up front and keep the AWD system happy.

 

Anybody like the Nitto Invos? I see they have the 315 19's available and I have huge 12 inch wide rims to outfit.

 

I've always used street tires eg ps2/p zeros but this fall put some r888's on just to try a less expensive choice since i never get more than 4k miles out of any rears anyway. but the 315/30 ps2's are now lowered! to approx 450 per copy! vs the p zero 400+/- while the r888s were only about 275 ea. since i am rwd i can run anything that'll fit but dang, these things are ( albeit cheap ) but noisy!

next time i may try the *newer* bf rivals. the ones that don't tread separate!

 

The BFGs do look interesting and are a good 315/30 option. The guy in Canada with the GT2 (Rob?) also swears by the Falken RTK615s in 315/30 as well. I do like have 8.5 and 11" wheels....I'll be able to try 315s eventually.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....-Force+Rival+S

 

^ true, but since those are all about $400 per copy, i'd rather stay with the p zero for longevity. but i have been saying i'd try the rivals since they were introduced!so maybe those next spring.

still, for my driving, the oem p zero asyms seems to last the longest though some complain the ride is harsher than the ps2. for stickiness i prefer the ps2 rears.

last time i tried an falkens was ages ago ion my 993. not a fan, but that was "then". I'm sure the 651's are fine

 

the new Rival's don't have the load rating we need/want...the RT615K's wear better for me than the Pzero Rosso's, and are just a better performance tire overall IMHO

 

yeah, was robs recommendation that still has them in consideration for me in spite of hating the one set i tried on the 993 but I'm certain their technology has improved. either way, i dont think i'll run the r888 again though even though thats the most "affordable" ( read: "cheap" ).but they ain't "great".

i guess it'll be the falken 615 ( not 651! ) OR the bfg. as long as they are nothing like a hankook v12
( danger danger will robinson! )