I was wondering about different tire sizing on stock wheels and given the handling balance that the Sport Compact Z had I thought of 245s front and rear with fronts being 245/40-18s or 245/45-18s sames as rear.

Has anyone tried this? If so were you pleased with the result?

 

well, i don't know about having the same size all around, but i have the stock 17" rims that come 225/50F 235/50R, and i bought new tires with 235/45F 245/45R, I don't have any problems, and the tires feel better driving around.

 

Spec

The different tire sizing you suggest would lessen the understeer and maintain the stagger. It should work well, and make the car more neutral in the handling department. And, 245/40s are much easier to find than 225/45s.

Jun

Your tires are the wrong sizes for a 17" wheel. They are too small in outer diameter, but if it works for you - Good Luck.

Lou

 

I have not had a problem yet I purchased the 03 used 2 months ago , he had same tire size all wheels . He said easy rotate and cant tell difference but not STOCK rims this will not work on stock rims but honestly the car handles better than my 99 SS Camaro . I think it is because the Z's weight is so equal more so than any car I have ever driven . Some may read this thread and disagree but combined with Eibach springs and going to 18inch rims it lowered the center of gravity so it handles and turns on a dime .

 

I have been running the 245-40 front / 245-45 rear setup for about six monts on an early '03 touring 6MT. I track the car 2-3 times a year. The setup definately reduced the understeer and made the handling more neutral, although not totally neutral. Track times have also gone down. This tire combo is the best I could figure out using the stock touring rims. Since tire dimensions vary slightly by manufacturer, I found that Goodyear F1s matched the staggar requirement within 1/10"