New FD wheels and suitable tyres

[mjheathcote]

I've managed to secure a brand new set of Formula Dynamic wheels, with the help of MAF260 (thanks Mark!)
They are 18" and half an inch wider than stock. 19" are available but really, I do think the 18" are low profile enough for our pot hole ridden roads!
My question is tyre sizes.
The stock front are 235/40, and FD recommend going up to 245/40 on the wider 8.5" rim.
The stock rear are 265/35, and FD recommend going up to 275/35 on the wider 10" rim.
However regarding the rear, a 10" rim is more suitable to a wider 285 tyre, also I noted that the Trofeo optional split rim, also being 10", list a 285 tyre. Maybe FD recommend the narrower 275 because they also recommend vredestein tyres, and they don't do a 285 width tyre...
Anyone any experience of the FD wheels and suitable tyres?
There really is so much choice on suitable tyres, don't know where to start!
Cheers.

 

[outrun]

I can't believe you posted this. I now must have these.

Go up the tyre size if only to protect those with more sidewall.

 

[mjheathcote]

I can't believe you posted this. I now must have these.

Go up the tyre size if only to protect those with more sidewall.

Should look nice, the red calipers will look nice behind the black wheels!...you like the FD wheels then?

 

[ENZ525]

Don't have any FD wheels Mike, but my QP has standard 18" wheels:
Fronts are 8 1/2" and have 245/45 P zero rosso
Rears are 10 1/2" with 285/40 P zero rosso

My 550 also has standard 18" wheels:
Fronts are 8 1/2" and have 255/40 P zero rosso
Rears are 10 1/2" with 295/35 P zero rosso

All of the above are OEM specification,
so I guess what I am trying to say is that the overall rolling circumference is important.

 

[mjheathcote]

There does appear to be a tolerance of the permitted tyre widths that can be fitted to a rim width, just don't want to go too narrow to expose the rim and at the same time not too wide!

Pictures from FD web site:

 

[Grinzzz]

Most tyres I've come across have a manufacturers recommended range for rim widths that they'll fit, the one quoted is just in the middle of that range. Just choose which tyres you fancy then check they'll fit on the spec sheets. Range is generally larger when a higher profile is used.

Nice wheels....think mine would look good in black

 

[Andyk]

Mike, I love these wheels......You must post some picture of them as soon as you can...Are they silver or dark...?.....

 

[Andyk]

Most tyres I've come across have a manufacturers recommended range for rim widths that they'll fit, the one quoted is just in the middle of that range. Just choose which tyres you fancy then check they'll fit on the spec sheets. Range is generally larger when a higher profile is used.

Nice wheels....think mine would look good in black

Think your's would looking brilliant darker....Black or grey....Would really suit the Rame Ghibli...

 

[mjheathcote]

Mike, I love these wheels......You must post some picture of them as soon as you can...Are they silver or dark...?.....

They are gloss black per FD pics.

 

[Felonious Crud]

They are gloss black per FD pics.

They will look great. Well found! And yes, I look forward to seeing pictures.

My experiences re some latitude in sizes is consistent with the other comments. Might be worth a quick call to a tyre fitter if you want a final opinion. There's another thread where maf260 has sent chrisbasset off to Chesham to a well-regarded dealer / fitter / alignment place... let me go and check... hold on.

Answer: Wheels in Motion, Chesham - www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/index.php

 

[Chrisbassett]

They will look great. Well found! And yes, I look forward to seeing pictures.

My experiences re some latitude in sizes is consistent with the other comments. Might be worth a quick call to a tyre fitter if you want a final opinion. There's another thread where maf260 has sent chrisbasset off to Chesham to a well-regarded dealer / fitter / alignment place... let me go and check... hold on.

Answer: Wheels in Motion, Chesham - www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/index.php

I just dropped the car off there - ill try to remember to ask when I go back.

 

[Chrisbassett]

The advice from wheels in motion / black boots is to stick with the stock tyres on 10x18" wheels.the extra width won't make a noticeable difference to the rolling circumference of the wheel. That probably broadens your choice of tyres too.

Hope that helps.

 

[Andyk]

They are gloss black per FD pics.

Perfect Mike...Look forward to seeing them on...

 

[mjheathcote]

The advice from wheels in motion / black boots is to stick with the stock tyres on 10x18" wheels.the extra width won't make a noticeable difference to the rolling circumference of the wheel. That probably broadens your choice of tyres too.

Hope that helps.

Yah thanks for that.
That leaves the option of just transferring my original tyres over...however they are still the factory original tyres date stamped 2001 and there is still plenty of life left!!!

 

[outrun]

Mods - please remove this post and delete it from my memory so that i can never buy these!

Love em. Don't kerb 'em!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Yah thanks for that.
That leaves the option of just transferring my original tyres over...however they are still the factory original tyres date stamped 2001 and there is still plenty of life left!!!

Sounds like a few track days are required

 

[mjheathcote]

Sounds like a few track days are required

...doing a driving training day with Carlimits at Blyton Park on Thursday, should see a few mm shaved off!

 

[Grinzzz]

...doing a driving training day with Carlimits at Blyton Park on Thursday, should see a few mm shaved off!

Say hi to the mad welshman for me.

 

[mjheathcote]

Say hi to the mad welshman for me.

Sure, I did a day with him a couple of years ago before I sold my Elise, at North Weald, looking forward to how he structures the day at Blyton Park. I think open concrete in the morning, and on the track in the afternoon, which is a super little circuit done a TD before there.

 

[Grinzzz]

Done a few bits and bobs with him in the elise and bmw. Have yet to take the maser down to North Weald yet though, something thats going to have to be done. Be interesting to see what he thinks about safe tyre pressures.