Right now I'm running Bridgestone RE050A's at stock widths (295 rear) on a 2008 C2S. I have 14mm spacers on the rear, 7mm on the front.

The tires are coming due for replacement, and I'm thinking of replacing them with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports everyone seems to like. However, no one has the 295 rears in stock, and Tire Rack estimates 60-90 days until they have them.

Tire Rack suggested I go with the 305 rears instead. I'm fine with that. My question is, with the 14mm spacers on the rear, would 305's stick out appreciably further than the 295's, or would the difference be barely noticeable (hoping for the latter)? Anyone else running 305's on the rear of a narrow-body with spacers?

 

I don't have this setup but it is what I was planning on going to when its time for new tires soon so I've been thinking about it. The tire's edge should add another 5mm on each side (around 0.2"). I've been thinking I would need to reduce the width of my spacer (also a 14mm) from Adaptec to compensate since I wouldn't want the tire out any further than I have it. Fortunately, the Adaptec spacers are reasonably priced so I figured I would just get another set and sell the current ones to offset the cost a little.

Here is a link with your numbers plugged into a wheel/tire comparison site, although it doesn't seem to mention the extra width in the summary at the upper right above the tire rendering (it only mentions the wheel's changes): http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php...et2=67#content

On the good news side, the 305 will reduce your fender gap by 3mm but will also increase your ride height the same.

 

305's on a NB car here. I run WB rear wheels 19x11 ET51 with MPSS's 305/30ZR19. This is the same as NB rear wheels ET67 with a 16mm spacer. The side profile looks less rounded but does not stick out any more than 295's.

 

Good information so far, thanks guys. If the difference is only going to be 2/10", I don't think it's worth worrying about at all.

 

Get the 305's - I went from 295's to 305's (Michelin PS2) on my 911S and it just looks a little bit beefier, but no major difference.

I only have 10mm spacers though, but if you like the position of your wheels now with the 14mm spacers, then don't worry b/c the tire won't make your wheels stick out much more....

 

Based on the above and other information, I've gone ahead and ordered the 305's from Tire Rack. Looking forward to getting them next week.

 

Sounds like a good call. Since I have the same wheel/tire/spacer setup as you currently, I'd appreciate it if you can tell me how you like the final result... and if you think the current 14mm spacer is still fine once you are done. Subscribed...

 

I'd be happy to. I'll post some pictures when the tires are on. Should be around Wednesday of next week.

 

I like the square shoulder and look of the PSS 305's on an 11" rim, sort of Sport Cup looking. These are mine mounted on Forgestar CF10's.





One thing I've noticed, these may take a while to "run in". The tread blocks are very soft and feel a little "squirmy" to me. They grip like mad, but I'm getting a little moving around at speeds over 110 or so...theoretically. :-)

 

That's an outstanding look, exactly what I'm hoping for. I'm getting mine installed tomorrow.

Are you running any spacers? Also, is your car lowered at all?

 

Lowered on H&R sport springs. Wheels have wider offsets...so sort of the same as running spacers.

 

Okay, thanks. Great look.

 

So I got the 305's installed over the 14mm spacers, and as some have anticipated they look pretty much the same as the 295's. The top arc of the fender perfectly lines up with the outer shoulder block of the tire. The MPSS's ride very softly, though part of that is surely my imagination; I've only put 25 miles on them (shop to home with a small freeway detour). I would definitely not go to the trouble and expense of buying narrower spacers, as the difference to the eye is really negligible.

295's w/14mm spacers:





305's w/14mm spacers:

 

Check your tire pressure. Popular settings for partially loaded (up to 2 persons w/luggage) is 33 psi front, 39 psi rear. This is also in the user manual. Perhaps your old tires were over inflated. Many dealerships and tire shops use the max load ratings for tire pressure instead (36 front/44 rear). This could explain the "softness".

Also be sure to drive about 200 miles before tracking to wear off any leftover mold release still on the tires. Some of your softness could be this as well.

 

Not sure what condition your previous tires were in, but my old PS2's were getting pretty hard. That said, the PSS is as rubbery as an all season passenger tire when they're new. They are a lot smoother and a little quieter. One thing I've noticed (and in my case I lowered, got new tires and wheels with wider offsets, changed a lot of variables at once) up to 100 mph it drives really nice...beyond that seems a little more sketchy now. Like ANY gust of wind moves the car around. Actually caught me by surprise just after mounting the tires, was out in the country, ran it up to about 115 or so and scared the **** out me! Not near as firm and planted as I was used to. I did ask the guys at TPC about it when I ordered my DSC pasm control box. He also mentioned the tires needed to be run in a few hundred miles. Again, I lowered the car and made a bunch of changes. But the other day we were getting out of the car and my son shut his door as I looked back and just that little nudge on the door made the car squirm around a little on the tread blocks...like your regular passenger car/tire would do. If it's doing that sitting still, there is surely some movement at speed! This is my first rodeo with new tires for the record! My car came with PS2's and that's all I've known. What I do know is the car is far less planted feeling now. I'm hoping that changes. If I have some time this weekend I'm going to throw my old tires/wheels back on and take a run and see if I can pin it down to the tires...or if the geometry changed with lowering. Yes, had an alignment and all withing spec now.