That sounds like an accident waiting to happen, I would change that ASAP. I haven't read particularly good reviews about Federal.

 

I've spent the last two days trying to find replacements for the rears. I've got Bridgestones on at the moment.

Apparently 245/45/16 are no longer available anywhere in the UK. Bridgestone tell me they've discontinued them and the only possibility is Continental that won't be available until February. I've literally phoned every outlet in the UK.

Paul Anderson suggests using the same as the fronts - 225/50/16 - as a solution.

How do you guys feel about that?

 

Glyn,

You should consider 245/50/16. Much more available in this size (at least in the states). This will give you the proper width, but the section height will be slightly taller. There are tire calculators online you can use to estimate how much taller it will be, and it will slightly affect your speedometer reading. The 225's don't have enough width for proper handling on a 1990 and would look silly IMO.

 

That's a great suggestion Don. In fact my previous set were 245/50/16.

The only problem is that these are not to be had for either love nor money. I can't find this spec anywhere in the UK. At least there may be "45" Continentals at some stage in the future but even that's not certain.

What I'd like to know is whether you guys across the pond have the same problem and how you're dealing with it.

Paul Anderson tells me he races with fronts on the back as the car seems to handle better. Is he winding me up?

 

Interestingly, there's a Tire Rack ad on this page.

I've just tried the specs for my S4 and they say there are no results.

Where do you all find rear tires for your cars?

Help!

 

I think you're options for 16's are slim to nil. I've got 17" three piece 993 wheels on my 89, so I've got a good selection to choose from. At least for now.

 

Best bet is to find some nice 17 or 18" wheels. That opens up numerous tire options, especially in the 18" size. New wheels will also update the look of the car.

 

So that's the solution - go for 17" or 18" wheels. Is that the general consensus?

But something rather bizarre has happened. Another ad has just popped up on my screen from a UK supplier. God knows where that came from! I've called their freephone number and they assure me they have ten Bridgestones in their warehouse.

A miracle!!!

 

Hi,
I wan't to go back to original look of my 1988 S4 with the OEM original 16inch chromed slotted wheels.

Can't seem to find a tire that fits the 245-45ZR16 rear wheels sizes in Montréal, Québec... at this time of year.
Can anywone tell me how they would rate the Bridgestone RE11 on a scale of 5 stars ? As it seems they make this tires size in RE 11...

Any suggestion of tires for this size would help.
Thanks

 

I have a set on with about 10K miles. I really like them, very grippy, pretty quiet. They do seem to wear quick but that is due to a soft tread compound. I would get another set, like I have any choice!

 

Seems to me we have to follow Randy's and Polecat's advice - invest in 17" or 18" wheels. It's painfully obvious the 245/45/16 size is rapidly becoming an extinct species.

I've literally spent days on the internet and on the phone to find the last half dozen Bridgestone specimens left in the UK. I spoke to Bridgestone UK and they tell me they have no plans to supply this size in the future. Looks like Canada is in a similar position.

Continental tell me they may have another shipment in February but can't guarantee it.

So, with heavy heart, buenas noches to this anomaly in the history of motoring.

 

Earlier I posted about the Panamera 5 spoke 18 inch pull offs I put on my 88 S4. They are a near perfect fit and offset. Lots of tire options and the possibility of finding good buys at a discount price.

 

That seems like a great combination.
And a heck of a lot of rubber on the road.
What wheels are you running..?
TIA

 

So in the end I just stayed with my Dunlop DZ101's for now. I only replaced the fronts. Next time it will be all four and I will probably go to the continentals.

 

I'm looking to replace all 4 tyres in the next few weeks, due to age and uneven wear.

I have Cup II 17" wheels which currently have GTS sized 225/45 front and 255/40 rears. Popular options seem to be Bridgestone S-02 or Michelin PS2, but these are both old tyres that have been superseded by newer variants, but not in these sizes. The rear 255/40 seems to be the limiting factor in tyre choices, so I was thinking of switching to 245/40 rears which opens up more modern tyres.
I have an S4 where the original sized rears were 245 so I don't see a problem reverting back to this sized with more capable rubber.

My current favourites are Michelin PS3 and Continental Conti Sport 5's, in 225/45/17 and 245/40/17. Along with a 4 wheel laser alignment.

Brian