FSAEracer03

It has taken me 2 days, hours of phone calls and a trip to a local shop to talk in person to get a pair of 225/50R16 Yokohama AVS ES100's for the back end of Lorelei. Through a local connection, I ordered the pair for $95 a piece and they should arrive (hopefully) tomorrow... if not, then the dyno run is obviously not happening

Who else runs these tires? I've only heard good about them. Did any of you guys have trouble getting a hold of them when you wanted, because so many distributors seem to have a weeklong wait on them... or have trouble getting a decent price on them?

I can't wait to try them out, I'll post my first impressions as soon as I get them and go for a drive. If I'm lucky, maybe I can find a parking lot and do a gradually increasing skidpad on constant partial throttle... I didn't get to test out the limits of the previous tires by doing that, but hope to with these. I'd like to see the suspension reaction and tire holding in a controlled environment if at all possible.

Dal Heger

Don't forget that it takes about 500 miles for the tires to get broken in, or to scuff off the mold release compound. New tires will not stick as well until that time.

I have the ES100's on the 951. I like them.

Dal.

glen2002

Kevin not sure at the moment but isn't 245/50 16 the correct size for the rears on an 87? You might be selling yourself short there.

Danno

These cars originally came with 205/55-16 front and 225/50-16 rear. The TurboS cars had 225/50-16 in front and 245/45-16 in the rear. That rear is a smidget undersized, a 255/45-16 would be closer to the correct diameter.

Jerad

205/55 and 225/50 is the stock size on all non-S 951, though many people switch to 225/50 and 245/45.

Did you check tirerack? They are $83 and it says they are in stock, not sure if thats accurate since I've never called them.
tirerack

edit: looks like danno beat me to it

FSAEracer03

Hey guys, I actually didn't mind the look of the 205 and 225 combo that was on the car earlier... I'll probably wait to go wider when I can REALLY go wide; when I get new wheels.

I called tire rack and they quoted me a price of $180 and change shipped here. They claim it takes only a few days, but I'm getting mine locally for $190 and might have them as soon as tomorrow. Also, I have friends that have ordered from tire rack and have waited 2 weeks for their tires! But yeah, I checked there too... I always look there for a general pricing on tires and to choose which I want.

Pauerman

Has anyone put a 215/50/16 on the fronts of an '86 951?

I've read some posts that said the 225/50 for the fronts has too much side wall.

I'm considering 215/50 front and 245/45 for the rear - only 2 tire brands/models available. Kumho ECSTA Supra 712 and BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDW for summer tires.

What do you guys think about this combo?

Matt H

That size would work (BTW, a lot more people make that tire, us included) but you are really limiting what you can buy. Additionally, you are going more narrow. That is to say you are trading looks for performance, doubtful it is worth it.

The 245 is not that much shorter it is .3 inches shorter. As to the 255/45/16, might be okay if someone made it!

Additionally, stay as far away from the 712 as you can.

Dal - I would also say that a a tires break in characteristics are totally different depending on which tire it is. I have had some that were very easy to break in and others that felt broken in very quickly.
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Pauerman

Am I better off sticking with the 225/50 and 245/45 combo then?

I'm just concerned about rubbing issues (if any) with the 225's on the front. Aesthetically, wouldn't the 215's look better and be a cleaner match to the rear 245's?

Matt, when you say "us included" who are you refering to?

TurboTommy

It's not so much that there is too much sidewall on the 225's. The problem is that the stock front wheels are too narrow, which don't support the sidewalls properly.

By the way, some of you's that are using Yokos; why don't you go with the AVS Sport. They're actually one step up from the ES 100's as far as a high performance tire goes. They might be more $; I don't know.

ELLSSUU

I've ordered from Tirerack a couple of times and both times the tires came the next day. Also, call them even if their site says that they are out of stock. My ES100's were listed as a couple of weeks on backorder but were delivered within 24 hours.

Matt H

Vic - the 225 will not rub and it is just fine on a 7" wheel. It is towards the max of the wheel but it is fine. If you are after aesthetics then the 215/50/16 may be better for you BUT you severly limit what you can get in the way of tires. We is Firestone. Since these are performance cars I would tell you to ignore the look of the tire and buy the best driving fit. IMHO that is the 225/245 combo.

Turbo Tommy - the AVS Sports is considerably more $$ and to be honest, I dont think it is that much metter product.

LSU, et. al. - anyone who told you they waited two weeks for tires from TR had one of these issues.

1) Tires not in stock and they didnt ask
2) Live in the middle of nowhere
3) Just plain lied.

Tire Rack has 3 day del. to almost every place in America. For places like Indiana, Louisiana, Vegas and the West Coast it will be next day almost every time. As much money as I have spent there (easily more than the entire list combined) I should know.
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FSAEracer03

Yeah, Matt... I'll admit I'm not sure if the said people actually checked the availability of their ordered tires from tire rack.... just sharing what I've been warned of, thats all.

Hopefully I'll go to bed and wake up finding out I have tires awaiting me we'll see.... anywho, gnight!

Eyal 951

I just got my AVS ES 100's on today, oversized. 225/50/16 fronts, 245/45/16 rears. The fronts look a bit weird, but not bad. i like the feel though. Performance is more imoportant to me. they don't even come close to rubbing. I love lookin under the car and seeing those wide tires down there! Tomorrow, sway bar bushing!
~Eyal

Danno

Vic, just go with the 225/50-16 on the front like everyone else. There's no issues with it really. Sure, you're not going to get the most out of the tire squeezing it onto a 7" rim, but it'll still be better than the 205/55-16 tire or even the 215/50-16 for that matter. To squeeze the best performance out of a 225/50-16 tire, you'd want to use a rim that's on the maximum end of the width-range, like a 9" rim. You'd be amazed at the turn-in response and the smooooooth breakaway behavior.