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1988 S4 tire choices...are there really only 3

Old 01-19-2018, 08:04 PM
  #16  
vanster
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I really like Continentals. They are quiet and they stick. Fronts are 225x 45x17 rears are 245 x 40 x 17. I'm going to change to over to 255's in the rear soon. I just put a few thousand miles on a set of GTS wheels with Bridgestones and I found them hard and loud.
Old 01-19-2018, 11:56 PM
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DeWolf
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The Conti's are a big tyre for their size as well. The 245's look more like a 255 / 265.
Old 01-20-2018, 01:24 PM
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chart928s4
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+1 for Bridgestone. The RE-11 is an excellent tire in that oddball size, reasonably priced. In extended conversations with tire guys, I learned that they are a) different speed ratings for the S4 front and back sizes and b) made in limited production runs roughly twice a year. When they're gone they're gone until the next run, but they aren't discontinued. I didn't find them any noisier than any other tire.

For rain, snow, or cold there will be no good tire alternative for stock sizes. Panamera 18" wheels look awesome, generally match the offsets, are easily found on eBay, and have dozens of tire alternatives some of which are exact OE diameter matches.
Old 01-20-2018, 04:23 PM
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FredR
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Originally Posted by DeWolf
The Conti's are a big tyre for their size as well. The 245's look more like a 255 / 265.
A lot of folks think that the width designation is a measure of the tread width but in fact that is just not the case. The width designation is a measure of the width of the tyre at the rated pressure and load conditions - presumably a standardised/regulated approach to ensure that when manufacturers specify a tyre size they will know where the rubber is orbiting relative to the wheel arch/fender/suspension etc. Needless to say there is a reasonable degree of proportionality between the formal width and the tread width but as I am aware there is nothing mandatory about the latter.

At least most of you folks on the list have a good range of choice, invariably I have to make do with what I can find at the time I need replacements and over here that invariably means either Pirelli, Michelin or Continental. Technically they are pretty similar but the Continentals seem to survive the heat better. In the days long ago when I ran 16 inch wheels on my late S4 Pirelli was the only make I could find with stock sizes. For sure I had better options with the 17 inch GTS rims and generally more with my larger 3 piece 18 inch wheels that I currently use.
Old 01-21-2018, 04:10 PM
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993turbo
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Im running the Toyo T1R on all my 4 928's. Ive been running Toyo T1S in 225 / 245 before this. No complaints. Great tire at a great price.
Old 01-21-2018, 06:32 PM
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Iwish I had 3 choices... right now I'm lucky to have one but in my case usually there are no tires in my sizes available.... so I should buy the one set available but since they are only good for 6 or 7 years.. lol
Old 01-22-2018, 10:13 AM
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worf928
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Originally Posted by 928sg
Iwish I had 3 choices... right now I'm lucky to have one but in my case usually there are no tires in my sizes available.... so I should buy the one set available but since they are only good for 6 or 7 years.. lol
If you store them and protect them from both UV and oxygen exposure they’ll last just fine.
Old 01-22-2018, 08:16 PM
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I have a set of perfectly stored tires in climate controlled environment. they are dated 2007. They still appear to be soft.... I think they will be ok for tuning....
Old 01-24-2018, 06:11 PM
  #24  
87landshark
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I have the contis on the front-and I love em (run them on my wife’s Audi as well) but for the rears, depending on when your needing to buy them, the choices are slim for those of us who choose to keep the stock rims. Last time around I bought the Brickstones, RE-71’s I believe. Good tire. Not too noisy, decent grip, can’t say about the longevity because I only put a few k miles on the car annually. And can’t vouch for the wet weather thing, as my car doesn’t see water unless it’s getting washed. But the choices are pretty limited-unfortunately, as I know I shouldn’t be running different rubber front to rear. Cest la vie.
Old 01-24-2018, 06:28 PM
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brad@tirerack.com
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Put a 255 on the back with a 225 front, and you can run BF Goodrich Comp C2. Much better tire....

225/50R16 BF GFORCE SPORT C2 107.22
255/50R16 BF GFORCE SPORT C2 135.36
Old 01-24-2018, 08:17 PM
  #26  
worf928
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Originally Posted by damon@tirerack.com
Put a 255 on the back with a 225 front, and you can run BF Goodrich Comp C2. Much better tire....

225/50R16 BF GFORCE SPORT C2 107.22
255/50R16 BF GFORCE SPORT C2 135.36
OE 16” size is 245/45-16. 255/50’s gonna be awfully tall. Got a 255/45-16?
Old 01-24-2018, 10:02 PM
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255-50s too tall a sidewall aesthetically imo. I saw no 255-45s in my searches and would be all over it if Damon can find some.
Old 01-25-2018, 03:38 PM
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James Bailey
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Correct the approximate 1 1/2 inch increase in diameter all of which is sidewall looks odd....much more appropriate for a 1970 Camero
Old 01-26-2018, 08:38 AM
  #29  
Ramp
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Could use some collective guidance from this group.

I'm sorting an 86.5 with 41k miles. While I would like to move to 17's or 18's at some point, for now (and for $500) I think I should just put some good tires on while I work on her.

The current tires have tread but are pretty rock hard - here's what she came with from PO:

F=Cinturato P7 225/50/16 - - date code 13th week 2011
R=Supersport 225/50/16 - - date code 14th week, 2003 !!

I was thinking of putting on the Toyo's you are talking about as follows:

F=225/50/16
R=245/45/16

Thoughts greatly appreciated.
Old 01-26-2018, 09:28 AM
  #30  
worf928
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Originally Posted by Ramp
I was thinking of putting on the Toyo's you are talking about as follows:

F=225/50/16
R=245/45/16

Thoughts greatly appreciated.
Check your wheel widths. IIRC OE was 7”x16” on all four corners with 225s. 245 is a bit wide for a 7” wheel.


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