"normal" tire sizes

[Joe Isuzu]

The tires that came with my VX are 245/55/18's. Apparently, this is not a common size at all. Very limited choices and hardly anything that matches that size. I rarely ever do any off-roading so my main priorities are durability, comfort, handling and road noise (especially road noise). I'm not going cut any of the cladding to fit an over-sze tire, so with that in mind, what sizes do the rest of you have that may fit what I've listed so I may have more choices.
Thanks!!

[jsolracr]

Hey,


Go to a P255/55R-18 it is the factory size on the BMW X5 SUV that size is not that far off from the factory size and there are alot of options.

[Ldub]

The stock tire size for 00's & 01's was 245/60x18", on 99's they were 245/70x16"...this info is on the drivers side door jamb sticker.

[rowhard]

Joe, understand your concern about trimming any cladding, I felt the same way. But, on the orginal wheel, I went with a 285/60/18 and only had to trim the front edge of the cladding and you can't even tell, and damn does it look good with the 285's. The Toyo AT is a quiet tire, aggressive looking and gives the VX the look it deserves. And if you cranked the bars up to level the VX out, you might not even have to trim at all, or very little.

[biju]

agreed. the smaller tires are harder to find (and in most cases I find they're spendy too).

I know Moncha runs 255/55/18's and didn't have to do any cladding surgery. I see a lot of those sizes out there (nitto terra grapplers make that size!)

-biju.

[WILLY]

275/55/18 TOYO ST

[Pghachey]

Mine had P255/55R18's (by Kumho) and they seem pretty decent and fairly inexpensive. I went up a notch this past winter to Bridgstone Blizzaks 265/60R18's and like the looks and ride. More rubber seems to soften the bumps. I think my next set will also be 265/60R18's also.

[tomdietrying]

I was running some Yokohama 285/60/18 with stock shocks and NOtrimming to the cladding was needed.

I've always heard that with the Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/60/18 you had to trim just a bit of the cladding. This week I had to buy new tires, and I bought the Nittos, and I DID NOT have to trim the cladding at all.

I put on some OME 912s springs before I went with the Nittos maybe that's why I did not have to do any trimming.

I would recommend either tire.

Peace.
Tom

[rowhard]

I was running some Yokohama 285/60/18 with stock shocks and NOtrimming to the cladding was needed.

I've always heard that with the Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/60/18 you had to trim just a bit of the cladding. This week I had to buy new tires, and I bought the Nittos, and I DID NOT have to trim the cladding at all.

I put on some OME 912s springs before I went with the Nittos maybe that's why I did not have to do any trimming.

I would recommend either tire.

Peace.
Tom

Tom, did you have the torsion bars cranked? When I installed the 285/60's on the OEM wheel, I had interference with the front cladding. The torsion bars had not been cranked,... yet - John

[tomdietrying]

Man, it's hard for me to remember. Maybe I had my Yoko 255 on. Did the lift and turned the torsion bars. And later put my Yoko 285s on.

That might make sense about cranking the torsion bars and thus creating no interference witht the cladding.

Peace.
Tom

[nfpgasmask]

I was running BF Goodrich g-Force T/As in 255/55 R18 before I got my Chambers. They were costly (about 7 bills from Discount Tire in IL), but didn't require any trimming and look good, as far as street rubber goes...



Bart

[Cobrajet]

Pirelli Scorpion 285/55/18 will fit on stock wheels with no trimming. I now have Kumho Ecsta STX 265/60/18 on the stock rims. No trimming and they ride better than the Pirellis. I shopped around for other tires in this size, and there just aren't very many acceptible options. I also have a set of the Blizzaks in this size. But, If you think these wheels have limited options, try putting shoes on my '82 Mustang -- 220/55/R390 -- If you don't like Michelin TRX tires, you're out of luck.

[Joe Isuzu]

Thanks for all the input here! I think I will end up trying Kumho tires from the Tire Rack, I'm going to Jekyll Island next week for our annual trip and I'm driving right by a Tire Rack warehouse near Savannah. Tomorrow I plan on taking off one of my wheels to gauge if I can fit all four tires in the VX. If anything I should be able to fit at least 2-3 and that will reduce my shipping costs for whatever tire(s) remains. I also need to have SOME space left in the back for luggage. I don't think I would look good wearing an 18" tire as a bathing suit!!

[Cobrajet]

I tried to fit four Kumho's in my VX and failed. If you figure out how, let us know. I'm due for new tires this summer, and making two trips to the installer is a pain. I also get my tires shipped from Tire Rack.

[rowhard]

Corbra, what size and what did or didn't you do?