It's about time...they're going bald!

[woaface]

Well...I'll need a new pair of tires, and stock just isn't going to work for me. Currently my ride is sitting on 225/60-16 Michelins. What I'd really like is 255/60or50-16s. Is this possible to get a larger tire with the same rims? Even a pinch? Anything better would be...better!

I've been thinking about BFGoodrich, Yokohama, Goodyear...and possibly Michelin...but the big french guy is a little to expensive. The more I can get out of a tire the better. I'd like the best tire I can get that's at or below $120 per tire. All season is preferable even though it's not the best. And I won't need anything above an S rating, but if it comes better, I won't complain:D.

Anywayz'....what are you alls thought's?

-James

[2003Marauder]

Does Greenville, SC get a lot of snow or ice? If not, the Firestone Firehaws SZ50 EP (Ultra High Performance) tire size: 255/50 r16 should be considered. www.tirerack.com has them on special for $125. I have run these on my Thunderbird for 14 months and 10,000 miles of hard driving. They are excellent in the rain. Far better than any other tire that I have used. Also, they have the rim protection feature.

P.S. The Thunderbird OEM tires on my sport model were 225/60 r16 and the car weighs a good 3,800 pounds. When I bought mine they were offering a 30-day return on these tires if you're not satisfied.

[2003Marauder]

Attached is image of tread. I'll post side view next.

Still 7/32" of tread depth left after nearly 10,000 miles.
I think new is like 9/32" but I did not check tread depth at that time.

[2003Marauder]

Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP 255/50R16

[woaface]

I like those...Um, no we don't get too much snow or ice...like, once or twice a year, and I don't think there's a good chance of that this year, as it's the 30th of December and it's 50º outside. Thanks man.

[SHERIFF]

I'm gonna tell you just like I told a guy the other day...... (in your case) on a 99 Grand Marquis, which obviously isn't a performance car in the wildest stretch of the imagination, you don't need to participate in overkill in a replacement tire.

I would go to www.tirerack.com , step up one size, and look at the 235/60/16 Kuhmo Ecsta HP4 716 tires. $54 each, and read the reviews on the tire. It is an amazing tire at an amazing price.

I just wouldn't put 255/60/16 on a Crown Victoria or a Grand Marquis.

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/843/kuhmo716.jpg

[woaface]

But if I just shut my eyes while I'm driving and pretend I've got a center shifter...I can imagine driving something else:D

Thanks man...

[2003Marauder]

Firehawks are not "overkill" and they are worth the money. Actually, Consumer report just rated tires--including High Performance tires. So I recommend that you get that issue and read up on tires. The Firehawk 255/60 are only 1.5 inches wider in tread and only 0.25 inches less OD than the OEM 225/60. I've seen many a 255/50r16 on CVs here in Memphis and they look good.

Continental High Performance tires actually got a better rating than the Firehawks. But I don't think they make a 255/50r16.

[jaywish]

Don't know about the size but I just put a set of Continental Extreme Contacts on the wifes Intrepid and they are very nice.

The only drawback is they are directional and as such will require at least one dismount & remount once in their life for side to side rotation.

Jay

[woaface]

The KH11's look nice too...

[SHERIFF]

Originally posted by 2003Marauder
Firehawks are not "overkill" and they are worth the money. Actually, Consumer report just rated tires--including High Performance tires. So I recommend that you get that issue and read up on tires.

Ohh, I agree, they are good tires. I was just trying to save him money.



Originally posted by 2003Marauder
The Firehawk 255/60 are only 1.5 inches wider in tread and only 0.25 inches less OD than the OEM 225/60. I've seen many a 255/50r1actually go6 on CVs here in Memphis and they look good.

1.5 inches in tread is a lot of width difference. I would think they rub when turned full lock front left and front right on a Crown Victoria or Grand Marquis? What do you think? Do they?

[SHERIFF]

Originally posted by woaface
The KH11's look nice too...

Yes, they do. Another nice tire at a nice price. I am surprised more dealers don't sell the Kuhmo tires in America.

[gonzo50]

Originally posted by 2003Marauder
Firestone Firehaws SZ50 EP (Ultra High Performance) tire size: 255/50 r16 should be considered. www.tirerack.com has them on special for $125. They are excellent in the rain. Far better than any other tire that I have used. Also, they have the rim protection feature.
According to the picture of the FireHawks, they are directional tires, you can't rotate them the same way as on the Marauder if you go with the similar size tires.

Unless you get them all the same size then you can only rotate them from front to back, not side to side.
In other words, they stay on the same side all the time whether in the front or back. Thanks.

[SHERIFF]

Is that tire on backwards???? Seems to me like the tread should force water back and out. The way it is pictured here it forces water forwards????

[woaface]

Originally posted by SHERIFF
Ohh, I agree, they are good tires. I was just trying to save him money.


Thanks, I really appreciate it! I would have never noticed these otherwise. You've acomplished your task:)

[SHERIFF]

I guess I should mention..... I am in no way affiliated with www.tirerack.com , nor do I hold interest in the company.

Having said the above.... they have excellent customer service and super fast shipping! :)

[woaface]

Lol...well I wouldn't have guessed...I had been looking there though, and I'm more impressed with the stock/information there than the stock/information at discounttire.com.

[SHERIFF]

I'm not real impressed with discounttire.com either.