Tires for Rota Fox wheels?

[911 in SC]

I've been searching for quite a while for tires to fit the Rota Fox wheels, 17x7 and 17x9. I understand that the 'correct size' would be 225/45/17s and 255/40/17s. I'm really itching to try the Hankook Ventus Rs2 Z212s. However, they are not offered in 255/40/17s, only 245/40/17s. From what I've read, they run 'wide', so would this be an option? If I went with the 245/40/17s, I'd go with the 215/45/17s up front, just to make sure the overall diameters would remain the same.

I currently have Yokohama ES100s in stock sizes on my car (16x6 and 16x7s, 205/55/16s and 225/50/16s respectively). They do a pretty good job, but I really think I could do better for the money. I have Toyo T1Rs on my Miata, and while they're a good tire in the wet and dry, they seem 'squishy' or 'squirmy' to me. I have a somewhat smaller sidewall than stock too - 185/55/14s instead of 185/60/14s. I had read where the sidewalls were a little soft compared to the T1Ss. That's why I decided to go with a little shorter sidewall, in hopes to reduce the sidewall flex. I went up on my air pressure by near 5psi per corner to reduce the flex as well.

There are so many great tires out there for very little money.

Your thoughts? Would you go with another tire? If so, which one?

Oh yeah, my driving consists of commuting to work, nice drives once in a while, whenever else I feel like driving it. I still want the best adhesion I can get for the least amount of money. I suppose I am 'satisifed' with the ES100s, but curious if there is a better tire for a similar price?

Later,
Mike

[Moses]

Wow. Tirerack shows 40 sets of tires in the sizes you want.

Check out the price on the Sumitomo HTR Z II

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTireResults.jsp?search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&startIndex=0&frontWidth=225%2F&frontRatio=45&frontDiameter=17&rearWidth=255%2F&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17&width=&ratio=&diameter=&RunFlat=All

[911 in SC]

Trust me Mark, I know all too well that they offer alot of sets of tires for my car. There in lies the problem. Way too many choices!

I'm asking whether a 245/40/17 and 215/40/17s would be too narrow for the 7s and 9s.

I remember you had a set of Victoracers on your rota foxes. Do they tend to 'run wide' as well? They look PERFECT on the wheels. I don't need victoracers for the street...

How do Kumho MXs compare to the ES100s? On paper, they appear similar. Anyone have experience with both?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by 911 in SC

I'm asking whether a 245/40/17 and 215/40/17s would be too narrow for the 7s and 9s.

Not at all.

[PatrickB]

Originally Posted by 911 in SC

I'm asking whether a 245/40/17 and 215/40/17s would be too narrow for the 7s and 9s.

How do Kumho MXs compare to the ES100s? On paper, they appear similar. Anyone have experience with both?

Definitely NOT too narrow! In fact, I would put that size on before the larger! If you want to get rid of the "squishy/squirmy" feel, go with the smaller, as the wheel will fill out the tire better. If your car is lowered less than stock ride height, you would likely run into clearance problems with the tires rubbing on the larger tires, unless suspension mods are made.

All of the tires you've mentioned above are good for the street. It's when you start doing DE's or AX's that you need to be more careful about selection. Many terrific street tires can't hold up to the abuse of heat cycles. You should also consider Falken Tires's. The 452 is a GREAT tire that will likely last up to 25k miles. Also the Azenis RT615 has awesome stick, but will likely get only 10k miles before replacement time. I run the Hankook RS2's, and they are about the stickiest best dollar value IMHO. However, they too will likely only last about 10k miles. The obvious trade of for stickiness is tread life. That being said, you might be better off with the Falken 452. I've heard nothing but good things about the Kuhmo MX's too.

Check out Edgeracing.com and discounttiredirect.com for great prices!

[911 in SC]

Thanks Patrick.

I don't see myself making an autocross or a DE within the next year. I'd love to, but it doesn't look like I'll be able to do either.

My car is a Euro ride height now. I don't think there's enough rake, so I'm thinking of lowering the front a little more and having it aligned again.

A good friend had the Falkens on his Miata, and while they were VERY sticky, I thought they got noisy and always rode fairly harsh. My T1Rs are marshmallows compared to the 615s.

He just had a set of Hankooks mounted, and we've both been impressed with them so far. That's the main reason I'm thinking of trying them.

Thanks again everyone. I really do appreciate the input.

Hey Mark, another friend of mine had a set of the Sumitomos and I didn't like them at all.

[race914]

Mike,

Did you go with the Hankook's? Got a pic?

I just ordered a set of Rota's and am thinking about the same setup you were asking about.

Thanks,

Greg

[911 in SC]

Yep, went with 245/40/17s in the rear and 215/45/17s in the front. I couldn't be happier! I am seriously thinking of lowering a little more and cornerbalancing though. I'd like to get the front a little lower, and the rear could go down a hair more too.

[jasonmx5]

Subscribed - I face a similar quandry . . .

[CarreraDan]

Yeah Mike, you really need to lower the car more that way I can tell people I have the special ralley edition. I think I am the one who needs to lower the car some judging from that picture above. I did bend my front tow hooks back into position today from when I really hit them a few weeks ago.

Again the Rota's look very good on your car and I cannot believe how much better the stance is now--looks so much more aggressive (remember I don't really care for the Fuchs). Maybe in a few months I can afford to play too, still dreaming of FM-10's.

[lfot]

Falken Azenis RT615
Front - 225/45/17
Rear - 255/40/17
Extremely well priced, sticky sticky tire at http://www.edgeracing.com/

[DB_NC_95C2]

I put Pirelli PZero Neros on my ROTAs, 225/45-17 and 255/40-17. I got to use them for one day. The wheels and tires are still on the destroyed car. Once I get an agreed settlement price for my SC, I will try to obtain salvage rights and turn the carcass so the parts go to deserving people. I don't have the room,time or bandwidth to part it out myself. That one day (also put a strut bar on the front) was glorious, until Harley happened.....

[911 in SC]

LOL Daniel. They both look pretty darned good sitting there in all of their glory.

Derek, I bought my Hankooks from edge racing too. Great prices, and shipping prices were GREAT too. I timed it about right, as they arrived on the same day as my wheels. Too bad I was nearly 1500 miles away... I'm torn between my polished/gloss black wheels and your factory style wheels. I like them both!

DB_NC_83SC, what happened? I missed the thread... I'm really sorry to hear that! Good looking SC, that's for sure!

[DB_NC_95C2]

Originally Posted by 911 in SC

LOL Daniel. They both look pretty darned good sitting there in all of their glory.

Derek, I bought my Hankooks from edge racing too. Great prices, and shipping prices were GREAT too. I timed it about right, as they arrived on the same day as my wheels. Too bad I was nearly 1500 miles away... I'm torn between my polished/gloss black wheels and your factory style wheels. I like them both!

DB_NC_83SC, what happened? I missed the thread... I'm really sorry to hear that! Good looking SC, that's for sure!

Mike, see your PM inbox

[jhubs]

lfot, WOW, NICE car! Those wheels and tires really look good. The Rota 17s just work on these cars. It was worth the wait!

Lowered, right? What are the measurements front and back?

Jerry

[lfot]

Originally Posted by jhubs

lfot, WOW, NICE car! Those wheels and tires really look good. The Rota 17s just work on these cars. It was worth the wait!

Lowered, right? What are the measurements front and back?

Jerry

Thanks much! You're right, totally worth the wait. The difference in performance and appearance from the original 6's and 7's is astounding.

I'm at just under 25.5" all around.

[jax911]

Beware of going too low.
My car is currently at 24" in the rear and 24.5" front, never had a problem with 16x9 w/245/45 rubbing, when I put the foxes on ( 255/40 ) I experienced rubbing under heavy acceleration do to the rear squatting, even with 26mm torsion bars. I didnt want to raise the car so I adjusted the camber until there was no more rubbing, which is around -1.3-4 deg. problem solved except for tire ware.
Love the wheels, tires are Toyo Proxes 255/40 and 225/45 no problems in front.

[911 in SC]

Looks great JAX. They really fill out the fenderwells nicely! Did you roll your front fenders? Bump steer kit added, right?

[lpsalsaman]

Originally Posted by DB_NC_83SC

I put Pirelli PZero Neros on my ROTAs, 225/45-17 and 255/40-17. I got to use them for one day. The wheels and tires are still on the destroyed car. Once I get an agreed settlement price for my SC, I will try to obtain salvage rights and turn the carcass so the parts go to deserving people. I don't have the room,time or bandwidth to part it out myself. That one day (also put a strut bar on the front) was glorious, until Harley happened.....

Sorry to hear that, especially after waiting so long for the rims! Are the wheels ok, are you planning to move them to another 911 or are you going to sell them?

[DB_NC_95C2]

Originally Posted by lpsalsaman

Sorry to hear that, especially after waiting so long for the rims! Are the wheels ok, are you planning to move them to another 911 or are you going to sell them?

Wheels and tires (and $$$ center caps) are fine, but they'll be going with the entire carcass if I am able to negotiate salvage rights. First priority is the actual settlement amount. The're no good to me for the 993 C2 I'm looking to get.