I found out the hard way today that michelins the run a little narrower (is that a word?) anyways, they are a little bit more narrow than most other tires.

here's how I learned.

my setup is the stock rays 18x9 19x10 wheels, sportlines, springmount mod and 20mm spacers front and rear. I was running a 255/40 and a 285/35 michelin ps2 combo.. *see pics for reference




well, they were getting worn down and then this happened


so I decided to get some new rear tires. I went with the kumho ecsta spt in a 285/35/19 simply because I just didnt feel like buying michelins again for DD. anyway, the kumhos rub. Going straight they are ok, but taking turns or under hard acceleration and you can hear it scrubbing.

My michelins didn't rub and I noticed that the kumhos are more square and the michelins are more rounded towards the edge. I asked the guy at the tire store and he said "oh yeah michelins run a little narrow". Hes tells me that after I have them installed.

So ultimatley I got home and had to take my spacers off.
Not really a huge deal but I figured I would share.

 

Yes… Michelin designs usually have a slightly rounded edge vs. “square to edge design.”

I believe that is deliberate and one reason Michelin tires run more quietly, handle cornering so well, and provide very good wear. The tire looks more-narrow, but its tread patch/contact-area is the same as other tires.

But… I may be missing your point.

--Spike

 

It's not that Michelin's are narrow, it's that that particular model of Kumho's are wider. If you look at the specs, and tread width of just about every brand and model of tire is different. Production variations in the section width and just about every other aspect of the tire are common.

I ran on some PS2s for a couple of years and never had problems with rubbing. I replaced the two rears last fall and immediately starting having all kinds of rubbing problems. The new set are obviously a slight bit wider than the olds.

 

Dave,

Are the "now rubbing Michelin rears" 275/35-19" ?

Offset at about 20 ?

--Spike

 

10½" +22 with 285/35/19"

Problem solved with a little rollage.

 

Thanks for the reply with specs.

I would think that a 285mm tire on 10.5" wheel with +22mm offset will require fender-rolling, even with a stock suspension.

I really don't know, so I'm asking. Is that right?

--Spike

 

Vredesteins are even more curvy around the shoulder area then michelins.

I like the shape of my Ps2's they look good when theyres close to the fender. Wonder if i switch to a different 295 if itll rub.

 

As it has been already stated, each and every tire is different. However, generally speaking PS2s are considered to run wider than most tires in the same size. For instance in these pictures the tire on the right is the Pirelli P zero in a 305/30-19 on the left is a Michelin PS2 size 295/30-19 both on 19X11.5 inch rims from CCW. As you can see the PS2s are much wider.

 

Yup....the kuhmo EX's i had were like tank treads....very beefy non rounded....

 

That size tire on an un-lowered car was right on the limit of what would fit. Depending on the tire, you might need rolling. I didn't until now.

 

At the end of the day, I wouldn't trade our PS2s for anything in the world (relative to tires at least).

 

im happy with the kumhos so far. I did a little bit of fender work today and got everything fitting up good.

 

I have 275 width RE050A PP's on the rear, and they seem narrow as well.

 

I know how this forum is with pictures so heres two that I just took.

 

how do you like the pole positions spork?

 

Looks like a hell of a lot more than a 10 mm difference! Thanks for the photos.

 

^+1 thanks for the photos PS2s FTW!

 

In my experiences, they're really grippy, comfortable, and don't hydroplane. Just wish they looked wider.

 

this is seriously a thread? really?

 

+3 on the photos! I had no idea!