F451

Hey guys,

What are your thoughts on running different brand tires front to back?

My fronts need to be replaced, my rears are in good shape.

I was planning on replacing all four of course, but out of work right now and money is tight. I can't wait on replacing the fronts, so was considering replacing the fronts with some Kumhos, and replacing the rears with the same Kumhos (hopefully) soon.

And I won't be tracking the S4, and I don't push it particularly hard when I drive.

So, besides the usual "you should really run the same tires all around", I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts, particularly from anyone that is running different tires front to back.

BTW, this is on my '88 S4, current tires are Pirelli P7000's.

Thanks,

Ed

Cosmo Kramer

I was running Michelin PS2's on the front and Continental Contisportcontacts on the rear. No adverse handling issues. I blew one of the Continentals and now I have PS2's all the way around and the car feels a bit more connected then before. It shouldn't be an issue especially if you don't push your car too hard.

Mike Frye

The bigger question is really: how did you manage to wear out the fronts while preserving the rears?

Clearly you're not driving it right . I think the ratio should be at least 2 to 1 with fronts being replaced every other time you need new rear tires.

I'm no expert, but I mismatch my fronts and rears without thinking twice. I figure as long as the right and left (on each axle) match exactly, the front-rear thing is a matter of preference.

F451

Ha! Good question. One of my fronts is developing a bubble in the sidewall. It's very slight right now, but I need to replace it asap as I'm not comfortable driving it the way it is now.

And I've been meaning to replace all four tires for some time now, so burn outs have definitely been on the menu a number of times, but there's a lot of meat left on the rears so its taking a bit of work to burn them up.

danglerb

I'm one step farther down the pike, I've got used tires on all of mine right now, only my wife's car has new tires. Depends on how you plan to use the cars and what you have available.

James Bailey

It will be fine just be sure to have the same size and brand on the drive wheels or the differential may not like it much.

Dean_Fuller

CRAIGSLIST

I bought 2 fronts from a guy right before I left Tennessee looking for work. They were Michelins PS2 pilots almost brand new off his new MB. The owner went with bigger wheels. These still had the rubber nipples on the tires...$80.00 for both fronts.

Imo000

As long as they are a matching pair (same two on the front and same two on the rear), they will be fine.

mark kibort

Yep, its no fun putting down the gas and having the car pull to one side!

F451

Cool, thanks for the input guys. And yep, running 2 matching tires up front, 2 matching tires in back.

Just placed my order with Tire Rack, if I am lucky they will be here Fri and I can get them mounted and make it to the LeMay car show down in Tacoma on Sat. If they don't get here by Fri, no go on the drive down to Tacoma.

David L. Lutz

I Just put 2 Pilot Sports on the front (still running PZeros on the rear) and the car rides and handles great. I really like the PS2's but a little on the pricey side. Hanging on for a while before I replace the rears, and am thinking of going with a cheaper tire there when I do.

RKD in OKC

The only tires I've seen any recommendation front to rear is the Dunlop Direnza Sport Star Spec. They recommend running their tires on all four corners for maximum performance. Just recommend, not require.

hacker-pschorr

That brings up a good point, I wouldn't mix and match with tires that have a specific tread pattern per corner.
One version of the Perelli P-Zero, the front tires are designed to dissipate the water a certain way for the rear tread pattern.

James Bailey

Tread is for sissys......rubber grabs the road all that air between the lugs is mostly just for LOOKS. Ever notice how most "performance" tires have the M ans S rating.....Mud and snow Sure if you live where it rains you need SOME tread but nothing like what is being sold. For 99% of the driving for 99% of the people tires are tires the rest is just marketing hype. It is much like gasoline or religion......

tveltman

I run some el-cheapos on my rears right now because I was broke and one of the rears blew out. I figured I'd replace them when I had the chance, but I've had no problems with them, and I don't track the car, so I've just left it as-is. I can go look and see what brand are in front vs rear, but given that my driving is fairly sedate with only occasional high-speed bursts, tire choice isn't all that much of an issue. Plus with the cheap rears I can burnout all I want and I'm not losing $50 in rubber a pop