Since no one has the old 17s anymore, can't find any discussion of best tire and size for these.

Wore out my Goodyear Eagle F1 G3-D3s; any tires out there that are comparable for less $$?

Also, I have 245/40 on front and 255/40 on back now, the biggest you can go I believe. Biggest is not always best for handling however.

What's the optimal size for best handling on the stock 17s?

 

IF you look at the specs for a particular tire (Michelin PS2 for example):

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=

Each tire size has a rim width range specified. The optimal size wheel would be around the middle of the range. Since you have 7½" and 8" wheels, the best sizes are around 225F/245R.

The problem with going to the widest tire that will fit, is that the side wall won't be vertical, it will be squeezed so that it is angled inward. That provides less support and stiffness than the optimal configuration.

Besides the PS2 (my favorite), and the F1 G3-D3, you might want to look at the Bridgestone RE050 Pole Positions.

 

on my stock 17s i have 245 in front and 285 in rear

 

That doesn't necessarily mean that they are the optimum size for those wheels. I've got 265/35's on 8" wheels for autocrossing. It's not an ideal setup for daily use though.

 

Thanks DavesZ.

Seems hard to go all the way down to 225s on the front, so I may compromise on a 235/45 and 245/45 setup. I'm pricing those now for the RE050s and the F1 G3-D3s.

RE050s are rated highest on tirerack, but their wear rating is half of the F1s. I'm concerned that they'll be more vulnerable to feathering.

Anyone have opinions on the best tire to endure the feathering issue?

 

go for the F1's. You wont be disapointed.

 

I'm don't even think about the feathering problem anymore. Since I've had mine correctly aligned, it hasn't returned.

 

Whether 17 or 20-inch wheels shouldn't matter. Good tires are good tires. For test results see: https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-and-tires/271133-what-brand-tires-should-i-get.html

 

do the azenis come in the right size for these rims?

 

Falken 17" sizes (and prices courtesy of DiscountTireDirect)

205/40R-17 84W XL B $105.00
215/40R-17 87W XL B $115.00
225/45R-17 94W XL B $124.00
235/40R-17 90W XL OB $136.00
245/45R-17 99W XL B $126.00
255/40R-17 94W BLK $146.00
275/40R-17 98W BLK $158.00

 

here are the stock 17" tire sizes.....
350Z Tire Sizing
Standard 17":
F-225/50WR17
R-235/50WR17...

so would 225/45 and 245/45 for the rear fit the rim good and be a safe size? i would like to order these.

 

Unfortunately, all of those size and profile combinations are too short. The tire OD is a lot smaller than the OEM tires and that will throw your speedo/odometer off.

The "best case" is the size you picked, 225/45 & 245/45.

 

My rear stock 17" tires needed to be replaced so I got the Bridgestone AE960 Pole Position from America's Tires this weekend. After reading this post, I went with 245/45ZR/17 in the rear. To save money, I only replaced the rears b/c the fronts still had another 10K left (I know I might get flamed for this but needed to save money). I got the AE960 for the tread rating of 400. My stock fronts are 225/50R/17. After putting the new tires on I can feel a big difference in handling. My car feels wobbly and does not respond as well when they were stock tires. It does not feel stable in high speed turns. I have no other tires to compare this with since this is my first change but I can feel performance is lacking. Anybody have similar experience?

 

I didn't know Bridgestone has AE series of tires

 

I'm beginning to suspect that the TSB clears this up. My newly purchased 03 now has 8k on my Michelin PS2s and they still look newish. I haven't taken it into the shop yet for anything.

 

I have an Enthusiast. The best tires are 225/5017's in the front and 245/4517's in the rear?

 

I meant RE960.

 

I"m assuming 225/45/17 front and 245/45/17 rear but since I didn't change my fronts it's 225/50/17.

 

me350 - With the 245/45 on the back and stock size on the front, your total wheel/tire diameter may actually be bigger on the fronts, which could cause problems with the anti-slip system. May want to look into that...

 

The front tires are 4.5mm taller than the rear. There are better choices.