best 17" tires

[Mustang Matt]

anybody know of a good quality tire that last more than 12,000 miles with average to aggressive use?
I currently use BFGoodrich KDWS(tread rating 400, size:245/45) and they really don't seem to last.
I thought that I should ask since I may get a Mach 1(which uses the same size).

[BULLITT680]

Mustang Matt...

You must be an ANIMAL to not be able to get 12,000 miles out of just about anything except for pure racing tires...UNLESS that 12,000 miles is only done a quarter mile at a time. :D

[69mach03]

Unless you roast the tires at every stop sign, intersection, and merge lane.

[Mustang Matt]

not realllllyyy...
I can get a good 12,000 to 15,000 miles,but most are highway.
Oh yeah,I do keep the tire pressure at 38-40 lbs.

[TRMach1]

I will have to admit the B.F. Goodrich 16" that came on my 98 GT wore out after just 20,000 miles, and that was pretty easy driving!! My 94 GT had the Goodyear Eagle ZR "Gatorbacks" that are going to come stock on the Mach 1, and I really liked those tires, but they are rather expensive at around $200 per.

[falcongtho3]

You have probably got one of the highest milage tires made in that size. I was speaking to a friend of mine today on the very subject. He manages a local BFG store, we discussed the fact that at the price the KDW series are a good milage tire, especially for the $. My '01 GT has 13,500mi. on it and the tires are at about 1/2 tread. I run 38 psi, and don't abuse them. Don't expect 40,000mi. or more on any tire this size, it's not going to happen. Especially on the type of car that they're on. You should reasonably expect 25-30K with reasonable care...especially ROTATE YOUR TIRES! Mustangs are very bad about eating the front shoulders up, and the occasional tire spin at the back will wear the centers prematurely. ROTATE YOUR TIRES!

[WarpdSpazm]

Originally posted by falcongtho3
You have probably got one of the highest milage tires made in that size. I was speaking to a friend of mine today on the very subject. He manages a local BFG store, we discussed the fact that at the price the KDW series are a good milage tire, especially for the $. My '01 GT has 13,500mi. on it and the tires are at about 1/2 tread. I run 38 psi, and don't abuse them. Don't expect 40,000mi. or more on any tire this size, it's not going to happen. Especially on the type of car that they're on. You should reasonably expect 25-30K with reasonable care...especially ROTATE YOUR TIRES! Mustangs are very bad about eating the front shoulders up, and the occasional tire spin at the back will wear the centers prematurely. ROTATE YOUR TIRES!


Hmmm rotating... guess I'll have to keep the rims all the same size then... I was gonna get a second set of prolly bullitts with 8.5" or so up front and 10.5" in the back... Nothing looks better to me on a pony than beefy wheels in the back...

[WarpdSpazm]

IT'll really make up for anything I saved on the sale price....

[Concep"R"]

Anyone know the largest tire you can safely use on the Mustang 17X8 wheel? Ugrading from the oem 245/4517...

[Mach Won]

Im thinking michelin b/c they are on lot real race cars(watch racing,formula 1 rally etc) their compounds excell.

[Mach Won]

any one know anything about khumos?

[falcongtho3]

As far as the largest tire on the stock rims, a 255/45R17 is a very acceptable size, and really fills up the fenderwells nicely without any clearance issues. The Cobra is using an even larger 275/17, but in a 9 in. wide rim. As far as Kumho tires, for the price it's pretty hard to beat. They can be gotten dirt cheap and have a nice tread pattern. I've sold a few and they seem to be a competant tire. I see some of their tires are OE on some Korean imports. ROTATE YOUR TIRES! Have I said it enough?

[Concep"R"]

I recently replaced my GT's tires with the Kumho 255/45ZR17ECSTA, after the mgr at dicount direct tire highly recommended them. I'm very impressed so far!, much better than the oem goodyears for ride quality, good looks, great handling and great price.

Now I'm wondering if a bigger tire could have been used..when the time comes for the Mach.

[Julio]

In my opinion the Kuhmos are hard to beat, I hear the Nittos
are good as well...

[wannabDSG]

Originally posted by falcongtho3
As far as the largest tire on the stock rims, a 255/45R17 is a very acceptable size, and really fills up the fenderwells nicely without any clearance issues. The Cobra is using an even larger 275/17, but in a 9 in. wide rim. As far as Kumho tires, for the price it's pretty hard to beat. They can be gotten dirt cheap and have a nice tread pattern. I've sold a few and they seem to be a competant tire. I see some of their tires are OE on some Korean imports. ROTATE YOUR TIRES! Have I said it enough?

I was wondering, with the Mach 1 being 1/2 inch lower than the GT, still no clearance problems with the 255s being that they are slightly taller than the 245s?:??:

[falcongtho3]

I've not tried fitments on any lowered Mustangs, and I have read in other threads that some of the Bullitt cars had tire clearance problems since they were lowered even more than the Mach 1's are going to be. Any reputable tire dealer that will install tiers should try one on and check clearances before mounting a full set. If I do get a chance to make any headway on this I'll post it. You also might try checking some of the Saleens, as they are lowered and generally have larger tires than stock Mustangs.

[Concep"R"]

Can't see it being an issue as our GT still has alot of room left using the 255's..

[falcongtho3]

The real problems show up when the car is driven hard in a turn so that roll rotates the body through an axis that allows the fender lip to rotate onto the tire. Also this occurs when the car is heavily loaded, as with heavy stereo systems, a full load of four occupants, or just a full trunk. In normal driving or static testing these problems don't show up...until you drive away, attack the first on/off ramp you see, and then...eeech!