hi.
the rims that i am looking at getting are 19x8.5. what's the max. tire size i can go with, without compromising handling? thanks.

 

255 would be alright, could fit a 265 too probably, but I put a 245 on my front 8.5" rims. with 19" a 265 might not work well cause you have less sidewall for that jump. so Id say 255 is probably the best for you.

 

thanks for the reply. do you think 255 is too skinny for the 350z rear?? being that the rims will be aftermarkets?

 

I just had 245/35/19 on the front and 275/35/19 on the back no problem and also Eibach Pro Kit to lower it another inch. The rims were 19+8.5 front and backs.

 

thats crazy, youd be lucky if your tires dont pull off the rim.

255 is fine, might want to get an inch larger for the back, 8.5front, 9.5 back, if their offered in that size, but if not, 255 is plenty.

 

ok, so it looks like i'm getting the 255s for the rear. what kind of tire do you think i should get?? Falken, toyo, nitto, bridgestone, michelin?

 

You can go 275 's no problem on a 19+8.5 rim run all the options make sure that's what you want go on www.discounttiredirect.com and you can look at what fits what no problem.

 

I have toyo and goodyear, happy with them. tires are for the most part, get what you pay for, and then you can either pay for durability or performance. so it all depends, you can not pay a whole lot, get a really sticky tire, and hope you can pull 8000miles out of em. or get a not so sticky tire that will last 20,000miles. or spend the big bucks and get a tire that will do both.

your choice.

I think toyo proxies or S03s are probably the 2 best middle of the road tires. but thats of course my opinion, just as its my opinion that 275s do not belong on a 8.5" rim regaurdless of what a chart says, physicly fitting, and performing well are different things.