I have a 2003 Touring 6-speed with the stock 18x8" wheels F/R. My car is lowered by 1". I have searched but did not find the answers to these below. I would like to consider the following tire options (because the good brands of performance tires are out of stock in the stock size of 225/45/18 Front, 245/45/18 Rear). Options I am considering:

1) 245/40/18 F, 265/40/18 R: Rears are a little too wide for the 8" rear wheel. However, Hankook offers the V12 in this rear size and it is significantly more narrow 10.6" overall, 9.1" tread width than other brands which typically run 11.2" overall and 9.4" tread width so I might be okay in the rear.
2) 235/45/18 F, 255/45/18 R. A little taller overall which I don't mind as long as it does not rub.
3) 235/40/18 F, 255/40/18 R. I think the stock tires look a little small in diameter as it is. This will make them even smaller.

Anyone run either above on 8" stock width wheels F/R? Other options I am missing?

 

Who runs an 8 inch on the rear?

 

The stock 2003 18" wheels on touring 6-speeds is 8" wide. There are a lot of us with them.

 

No....not really

 

03 to 05 with the 18 inch wagon wheels where 8 inch wide all around

245/40-18 front
245/45-18 rear

you forgot probably the best handling option

 

I was saying that most people moved sway from them.

 

As mentioned above, I cannot get the 245 45 18 in the preferred tires. They are out of stock with no delivery dates available. This is the reason I am considered other options. I am leaning toward 235 45 18 and 255 45 18 because it would fill out the wheel wells a little better and are only 0.3" taller. Anyone put these on? any rubbing issues?

 

wont be any rubbing issues, but will look like a skateboard rolling on cheerios

what is your preferred tire?

 

Pilot 4S, Conti Extreme Contact, Yoko Apex, V12 Evo 2, Gmax RS. I buy my tires at discount tire direct due to pricing. I know some others have them, but they are a lot more expensive than what I can get them for at discount.

 

i will give ya my thoughts on some

4s - love them, had them on both corvettes
conti - wasnt impressed with them on the ats-v
v12 evo 2 - thought they wore out quick on my 350z

are you wanting to stay stock sizes due to finances? if so i get it, for future reference if you want to change the wheels, most run 18x9.5 +15 front and rear, or 18x9.5+15 (or low 20s) front and 18x10.5 +15 rear with 255/40 and 275/40 tires

 

Rolling diameters are a little tall on the 235-255 combination although the F-R delta is OK and should be fine with VDC. Might rub on the front fender liner screw but that can be cut down.

Personally, I'd prefer the 245/40 & 265/40 combination as they are closest to stock rolling diameter (both a tad short but workable) EXCEPT that the 265 is bit too wide - more than the 120% rule - but will fit on the wheel. Just a tad bit of slop on 8" wheel.

FWIW, I have Conti Extreme on my Benz, which puts down way more power and has electronic active suspension and have not had a bad experience on those. Pilot Sports on my Z were well behaved of course, but mine were worn when I got the car and have since run every other brand name tire on the car BUT Mushylin. And we're talking over two dozen sets of wheels. Laff. V12 Evos are claimed to be sloppy due to soft sidewalls but have no personal experience on them. The thought of losing razor sharp turn-in response does not bode well with me. Response must be RIGHT NOW! Haha.

 

Anyone put a 265 40 18 on an 8" wide rear? I am concerned it is too wide because all manufactures say 9" is min width.

 

As I said... it can be installed and still be perfectly safe; but will not be optimized for performance by the 120% factor.

8" = 203mm, 1.2 x 203mm = 243mm max., rounded 245.

9" wheel = 228mm, 228 x 1.2 = 274mm max, rounded 275.

 

Thanks so much for your input! If it was you would you go with 235 45 18 and 255 45 18 (a little too tall) or 245 40 18 and 265 40 18 (too wide for rear wheel) with the goal of having good handling for the street (no autocross or anything crazy)?

 

Turbocharged and running a 275/40r18 rear tire on the factory 18x8" wheel with a 20mm spacer in the rear. Front 225/45/r18 with a 15mm spacer.
I probably would of went 20mm/25mm, but it doesn't bother me that much.

 

Here's a better view of the 275 on the factory 8" wide wheel