Opinion on 17" tires?

[Galaxius]

I've had the rims that are stock on most GTs (the bullitt ones at 17"). The issue is I have 15 or 16" tires and need to get new tires. Are any of you guys running 235/45/17s right now? If you are what are some good ones. I found continentals that were cheap and looked pretty good and then some more expensive bridgestones. I live in California so rain is rare but still need to think about that (snow not so much) and then I may be going to Las Vegas, NV for school soon (and pretty similar conditions...I think). Just looking for a decent price for good quality that doesn't burn through the rubber too quickly (just doing daily driving.. would love to hit up a track but that isn't in my future for now).

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[echo7]

From your post it sounds like your running 15" or 16" tires on your 17" GT Bullet rims, lol.

But anyways, I run the same Pirelli's you find on the GT's. 235/55/17 and I love them. A little pricey I think though, about $138 a tire.

 

[Galaxius]

Ack! That's what I get for writing that late at night . I was looking at Pirellis as well but there was something about them not working well in wet conditions. Have they worn well in terms of miles on the tires?

 

[Ken04]

Ack! That's what I get for writing that late at night . I was looking at Pirellis as well but there was something about them not working well in wet conditions. Have they worn well in terms of miles on the tires?

if you really meant to type 235/45/17 that's too small a tire. 235/55/17 is probably what you meant, which is the standard GT sized tire on the earlier GT's. Both my cars have Pirelli 235/55/17's on them, I live in Washington State. They are fine in the rain, 1 car has 40K on it's original tires (The sixer) and the GT has 33K. Both sets are still within legal spec, but will be replacing 8 tires soon. Probably stay with the stock size on the V6. Will go more aggressive on the GT.

BTW when you swap to 17" rims you should think about upgrading to the larger GT brakes. Simple and cheap. Buy GT rotors and GT caliper mounting brackets. Swap both parts in leaving your caliper where it is. Viola, GT brakes for less than $50.

 

[echo7]

They were WAY better than the 215/70/16? (i think) BF Goodrich tires that came stock on mine. I just swapped to the 17" Pirelli's because i hated the huge 16" ones and they felt like truck tires going around corners. I would slip at stop lights in rain for no reason at all, was never fun to drive in the rain. These Pirelli's grip pretty good in rain in my opinion. They will slip though if you floor it, and if you don't have a limited slip like me, you'll be going no where real fast.

Also, i'm on my second pair @ 67k. My first pair were put on around 8k, lasted until 45k? (and to be honest, they still had 5-10k left, replaced them all because i had a nail in one that couldn't be repaired so my mom went and bought me a whole new set since the guy told them they were getting worn out, lol.) I also think I drove a tad fast on my curvey road to access my house. I don't live there anymore and my current tires still look about 70+% tread with 22+k on them.

 

[Galaxius]

if you really meant to type 235/45/17 that's too small a tire. 235/55/17 is probably what you meant, which is the standard GT sized tire on the earlier GT's. Both my cars have Pirelli 235/55/17's on them, I live in Washington State. They are fine in the rain, 1 car has 40K on it's original tires (The sixer) and the GT has 33K. Both sets are still within legal spec, but will be replacing 8 tires soon. Probably stay with the stock size on the V6. Will go more aggressive on the GT.

BTW when you swap to 17" rims you should think about upgrading to the larger GT brakes. Simple and cheap. Buy GT rotors and GT caliper mounting brackets. Swap both parts in leaving your caliper where it is. Viola, GT brakes for less than $50.

Ah yes I did mean 55. I was trying to do it by memory and thought it was 45. Thanks for the suggestion on the GT brakes, hopefully I'll have the funds to do this soon

Edit: just to make sure you guys are talking about this right http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...r=2007&autoModel=Mustang GT&autoModClar=Coupe

 

[echo7]

Yup, that's them.